Dear Member of Talmakiwadi,
This email seeks to inform you about the revision in your Maintenance Bills effective 01 April 2025 on account of the following changes:
- We have hitherto been recovering the ‘Common Electricity and Water (CEW) Charges’, ‘Upkeep Charges’, ‘Service Charges’ and ‘Other Charges’ as per area of the respective tenements. However, the Co-operative Court has affirmed that housing societies cannot charge maintenance fees based on the area of each flat, reinforcing the principle of per-unit billing and equal charges for all Members, irrespective of their flat size, alluding to Section 79 of the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act. The Court’s rationale was that all the Members utilize common facilities (such as security, roads, electricity, etc.) equally, regardless of the size of their flats. In order to implement this change, we have merged ‘CEW Charges’, ‘Upkeep Charges’ and ‘Other Charges’ under the head of ‘Service Charges’. The ‘Service Charges’ will now be passed on equally to all the Members based on the budgeted expenses for the ensuing financial year. As a result of this change, we have observed a marginal increase in the Maintenance Bills of the smaller flats. The ‘Service Charges’ may change in the ensuing financial year based on the budgeted expenses at the time.
- We have commenced levying Members’ Contributions towards ‘Repairs Fund’ @ 0.75% and Contribution to ‘Sinking Fund’ @ 0.25% respectively, based on the current Construction Cost. This has been pegged at Rs. 30,250/- per square metre as per current Ready Reckoner published by the Government of Maharashtra annually. These contributions may also undergo revision in the next financial year based on the revised Ready Reckoner published by the Government.
We expect the revised Maintenance Bills reflecting the above changes to be sent out to you over the next few days.
Those members who have been using the Standing Instruction facility with their bankers to pay their Maintenance Bills may have to revise the mandates suitably as a result.
Thank you, as always, for your support and co-operation.
Best Regards,
For The Talmakiwadi Co-operative Housing Society Limited
Satyendra Kumble Shivdutt Halady
Hon. Treasurer Hon. Secretary