In condominium management operations, issues involving common areas continue without end. Correctly understanding the definition of common areas such as hallways, elevators, and balconies, and having the knowledge to respond appropriately as management staff, form the foundation of rental management work.
What areas are considered condominium common areas?
A condominium consists of two parts: "exclusive-use areas" and "common areas." Everything other than each private unit is a common area. This includes not only lobbies, hallways, elevators, and staircases, but also entrance doors, window glass, and balconies. Because there are many places that residents may mistakenly assume are part of "their own room," management staff need to be prepared to explain this carefully.
Two types of common areas: statutory common areas and bylaw-designated common areas
- Statutory common areas: Areas that are legally defined as common, such as hallways, elevators, and the building structure
- Bylaw-designated common areas: Parking lots, management offices, gardens, and other areas designated as common by the condominium association's rules
In some cases, bylaw-designated common areas may grant usage rights to specific residents. It is important to understand the management bylaws before explaining them to residents.
How are changes to common areas handled procedurally?
Under Article 17 of the Act on Building Unit Ownership, changes to common areas require approval at a condominium association general meeting by at least three-fourths of both the unit owners and the voting rights. Even opening a hole in a wall for plumbing work is no exception. Management staff play the role of carefully communicating to residents that making changes without authorization can lead to trouble.
Who bears the management costs for common areas?
The maintenance costs for common areas are borne equally by all residents. Monthly management fees are the source of these funds. In owner-occupied condominiums, reserve funds for repairs are also necessary. In addition, if someone damages equipment in a common area, that person bears the cost. In some cases, personal liability insurance can be used, and management staff can build trust by being able to guide residents on how to use it.
The growing number of condominiums with workspaces
As remote work has spread, more condominiums are providing workspaces in their common areas. As management staff, it is worth understanding the main benefits of properties with workspaces.
- Can be used as a work environment where residents can concentrate more than at home
- Contributes to higher resident satisfaction and retention
- Strengthens leasing competitiveness as an added value
On the other hand, from the perspective of differentiation strategies in rental management, the quality of shared facilities is an important factor in vacancy countermeasures. As a management company, proactive involvement in maintaining the condition of shared facilities, cleaning, and establishing usage rules is also required.
Recommended reading
- What is "leasing operations," which can determine the success or failure of rental management? An explanation of strategies for vacancy countermeasures and revenue maximization
- Property management with zero contract cancellations | The full picture of an operating structure realized through technology and systemization
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Is it prohibited to place items on a balcony?
Because balconies are common areas, leaving items that block evacuation routes is prohibited. The details are set out in the management bylaws, so residents need to be informed accordingly.
Q. If a water leak occurs in a common area, who is responsible?
If the leak comes from water supply or drainage pipes that are part of the common areas, the condominium association is responsible. If the leak is caused by a resident's negligence, the resident bears the cost. Identifying the cause is an important initial task for management staff.
Q. Where are the rules for using the workspace decided?
The condominium association sets them in the detailed usage rules. When the management company cooperates in creating rules for usage hours, noise, reservation methods, and similar matters, trouble can be prevented before it arises.
Q. If lighting in a common area goes out, who bears the cost?
Electricity and repair costs for common areas are covered by management fees. By understanding facility conditions through regular patrols and responding early, management staff can maintain residents' trust.
Q. How should we respond if an individual requests a change to a common area?
Explain that approval at a condominium association general meeting is required, and guide the person to submit it as an agenda item. It is also important to communicate that unauthorized changes can become a source of trouble.
