Sinking fund and common fee: the two building fees
The honest answer with numbers, for international buyers
The sinking fund is a one-off reserve payment at handover, typically 400 to 700 THB per square metre, funding major future repairs of the building. The common area fee is the monthly charge of 30 to 120 THB per square metre that runs pools, gym, security and maintenance. Healthy funds and realistic fees are a quality signal when choosing a project.
Why the sinking fund exists
Lifts, facades, pool tech: big-ticket repairs need a reserve, and the sinking fund collects it from day one. A building with an empty fund postpones problems onto future owners, which is why we look at fund health, not just fee levels.
What your common fee runs
Daily operations: security, cleaning, gardening, facility upkeep and management. The per-sqm logic means fees scale with unit size; premium towers with heavy facilities sit at the upper band.
The buyer checklist
- Fee per sqm and what it includes
- Sinking fund level and any planned special levies
- Quality of the juristic person and meeting minutes
The wider cost picture lives on running costs.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay the sinking fund again later?
The initial payment is one-off; top-ups can be voted by the owners if major works exceed the reserve, which well-run buildings rarely need.
Can fees rise?
Yes, by owner vote via the juristic person, usually in step with costs. Extremely cheap fees are often a warning sign of underfunded maintenance.
Who controls the money?
The juristic person, the legal owners association of the building, with accounts and annual meetings; owners vote on budgets.
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