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HOA fees, a blow to the wallet: amenities can increase them by up to 43% and delinquency is already approaching 20% - Ambito Financiero
Source:
www.ambito.com
March 20, 2026
By Jose Luis Cieri
Common services are putting pressure on maintenance fees. At the same time, costs are outpacing inflation and debt is growing in building associations.
A rooftop pool is one of the most valued amenities, which increases maintenance costs and puts upward pressure on monthly expenses.
The cost of maintenance fees has become one of the main sources of financial pressure on households in the City of Buenos Aires and Greater Buenos Aires. In this context, amenities have gained prominence in the analysis, both due to their weight in the overall expense structure and their role in the decision to buy or rent.
In recent years, real estate developments have increasingly incorporated more services and common areas. Swimming pools, grills, multipurpose rooms, laundry facilities, and more specific offerings such as coworking spaces or gyms have become key differentiators for attracting demand. In gated communities , the offerings have expanded to include sports courts, green spaces, and exclusive services.
The central question revolves around cost. How much do these amenities affect maintenance fees? Is it a marginal difference or a significant impact on the monthly budget?
A survey by the Octavo Piso platform, based on 200,000 users in the City of Buenos Aires and Greater Buenos Aires, provides an initial answer. In buildings in the City of Buenos Aires without amenities, the average building maintenance fee was $213,240.53. In those that do have these services, the value rose to $263,720.
The difference reaches 23.67%. This data confirms that the presence of amenities implies a concrete increase in the monthly cost, although within a moderate range compared to other factors that affect expenses.
The impact is more pronounced in gated communities. In that segment, average January maintenance fees reached $636,310 in developments with amenities, compared to $443,223 in those without. The gap reaches 43%, demonstrating a much more significant impact.
The explanation is not limited to the infrastructure. Maintenance, associated services, and the daily operation of these spaces account for a large part of the difference.
“In many cases, what drives up the cost of living in apartments with amenities isn't the installation itself, but the associated services and products required for their upkeep. The economic difference between having and not having them is significant in neighborhoods and somewhat less so in apartment buildings. But beyond making these figures transparent, it's also true that many people who move to these spaces do so, in part, because of the amenities they'll be able to enjoy,” explained Nicolás Rossi , one of the founders of Octavo Piso.
The grill comes in second place with 21.7%, followed by its version integrated into terraces or multipurpose rooms (SUM), with 9.7%. Laundry facilities reach 7.4%, reflecting the search for practicality in increasingly compact units.
Further down the list are swimming pools at 3.5%, coworking spaces at 1.9%, and gyms at 1.6%. These latter options respond to new demands related to well-being and flexible work, although they still have lower penetration rates.
Barbecue areas are among the most popular amenities: their social use adds value, but also implies maintenance costs that impact the expenses.
At the other extreme, amenities such as jacuzzi, sauna or mini-cinema remain niche options, present in a very low proportion of buildings.
Using these spaces can also involve additional costs. In many cases, building management companies set fees for reserving them. The average rental of a multi-purpose room (SUM) is around $20,000, while a grill can cost around $15,000.
Prices increase for more complex amenities. A barbecue area can cost between $130,000 and $150,000, while a multi-purpose room with unique features can reach $100,000.
In gated communities, prices tend to be higher and are sometimes even quoted in dollars. Renting a multi-purpose room (SUM) costs around US$32, while an 11-a-side soccer field can cost around $50,000. A padel court with lighting ranges from $15,000 to $30,000.
At the same time, delinquency became a growing problem within building management companies. Currently, approximately 19% of apartments are in arrears, introducing a new level of strain to building administration.
For Martín Eliçagaray , a specialist in technology applied to condominiums and at Simple Solutions, the phenomenon reflects a structural change. He explained: “Condominium fees have ceased to be just another administrative expense and have begun to compete directly with rent or mortgage payments. When that happens, delinquency stops being exceptional and becomes structural.”
Lately, paying for maintenance fees has been causing discontent, and although they are not increasing now as they are scheduled to until August 2025, the cost of maintaining a home is still challenging. Pexels
From his perspective, the increase in costs is not solely due to inflation. There are fixed components that exert constant pressure. He pointed out: “There are three components that exert significant pressure and are difficult to negotiate: salaries, utilities, and technical maintenance. If the building doesn't review its consumption and contracting practices, any external increase will have a direct impact without any mitigation.”
The situation also impacts property values. A building with financial problems loses predictability and affects the decision-making of owners and investors. “A building with high delinquency rates loses predictability. This influences the decision to rent, sell, or even invest in improvements. The financial health of the building becomes as important a factor as its location,” he explained.
In this context, management becomes a central factor. The incorporation of technology emerges as a tool to improve efficiency and reduce costs. “Measuring consumption in real time, automating lighting or heating systems, digitizing administration, and making expenses transparent is not a luxury. It is a concrete way to lower costs and, above all, to build trust among neighbors,” he stated.
The problem also has a cultural dimension. Owner participation directly impacts the building's operation. “When owners disengage, the building becomes more expensive. Managing a building isn't just about paying maintenance fees; it's about getting involved, monitoring, and planning. Indifference ends up being much more costly than any investment in efficiency,” he explained.
In a challenging economic climate, discussions about maintenance fees, amenities, and the financial sustainability of building associations are gaining prominence. The balance between quality of life and monthly costs is becoming a key variable in the real estate market.
Eliçagaray concluded that the challenge goes beyond the financial aspect and is linked to the preservation of heritage and coexistence in buildings.
www.buysellba.com
Source:
Expensas, un golpe al bolsillo: los amenities pueden encarecerlas hasta 43% y la morosidad ya roza el 20%
Los servicios comunes suman presión sobre las expensas. En paralelo, los costos superan la inflación y crece la deuda en los consorcios.
www.ambito.com
March 20, 2026
By Jose Luis Cieri
Common services are putting pressure on maintenance fees. At the same time, costs are outpacing inflation and debt is growing in building associations.
A rooftop pool is one of the most valued amenities, which increases maintenance costs and puts upward pressure on monthly expenses.
The cost of maintenance fees has become one of the main sources of financial pressure on households in the City of Buenos Aires and Greater Buenos Aires. In this context, amenities have gained prominence in the analysis, both due to their weight in the overall expense structure and their role in the decision to buy or rent.
In recent years, real estate developments have increasingly incorporated more services and common areas. Swimming pools, grills, multipurpose rooms, laundry facilities, and more specific offerings such as coworking spaces or gyms have become key differentiators for attracting demand. In gated communities , the offerings have expanded to include sports courts, green spaces, and exclusive services.
The central question revolves around cost. How much do these amenities affect maintenance fees? Is it a marginal difference or a significant impact on the monthly budget?
A survey by the Octavo Piso platform, based on 200,000 users in the City of Buenos Aires and Greater Buenos Aires, provides an initial answer. In buildings in the City of Buenos Aires without amenities, the average building maintenance fee was $213,240.53. In those that do have these services, the value rose to $263,720.
The difference reaches 23.67%. This data confirms that the presence of amenities implies a concrete increase in the monthly cost, although within a moderate range compared to other factors that affect expenses.
The impact is more pronounced in gated communities. In that segment, average January maintenance fees reached $636,310 in developments with amenities, compared to $443,223 in those without. The gap reaches 43%, demonstrating a much more significant impact.
The explanation is not limited to the infrastructure. Maintenance, associated services, and the daily operation of these spaces account for a large part of the difference.
“In many cases, what drives up the cost of living in apartments with amenities isn't the installation itself, but the associated services and products required for their upkeep. The economic difference between having and not having them is significant in neighborhoods and somewhat less so in apartment buildings. But beyond making these figures transparent, it's also true that many people who move to these spaces do so, in part, because of the amenities they'll be able to enjoy,” explained Nicolás Rossi , one of the founders of Octavo Piso.
Preferences
Regarding preferences, the survey reveals a clear trend in the City of Buenos Aires. The multi-purpose room (SUM) is the most widespread amenity, present in 49.6% of buildings with services. Its multifunctional nature and social use solidify its position as the space most valued by residents.The grill comes in second place with 21.7%, followed by its version integrated into terraces or multipurpose rooms (SUM), with 9.7%. Laundry facilities reach 7.4%, reflecting the search for practicality in increasingly compact units.
Further down the list are swimming pools at 3.5%, coworking spaces at 1.9%, and gyms at 1.6%. These latter options respond to new demands related to well-being and flexible work, although they still have lower penetration rates.
Barbecue areas are among the most popular amenities: their social use adds value, but also implies maintenance costs that impact the expenses.
At the other extreme, amenities such as jacuzzi, sauna or mini-cinema remain niche options, present in a very low proportion of buildings.
Using these spaces can also involve additional costs. In many cases, building management companies set fees for reserving them. The average rental of a multi-purpose room (SUM) is around $20,000, while a grill can cost around $15,000.
Prices increase for more complex amenities. A barbecue area can cost between $130,000 and $150,000, while a multi-purpose room with unique features can reach $100,000.
In gated communities, prices tend to be higher and are sometimes even quoted in dollars. Renting a multi-purpose room (SUM) costs around US$32, while an 11-a-side soccer field can cost around $50,000. A padel court with lighting ranges from $15,000 to $30,000.
Delinquency on the rise
Beyond these differences, the phenomenon of building expenses is explained by a broader combination of factors. In the last year, sector costs have outpaced year-on-year inflation and consolidated an upward trend.At the same time, delinquency became a growing problem within building management companies. Currently, approximately 19% of apartments are in arrears, introducing a new level of strain to building administration.
For Martín Eliçagaray , a specialist in technology applied to condominiums and at Simple Solutions, the phenomenon reflects a structural change. He explained: “Condominium fees have ceased to be just another administrative expense and have begun to compete directly with rent or mortgage payments. When that happens, delinquency stops being exceptional and becomes structural.”
Lately, paying for maintenance fees has been causing discontent, and although they are not increasing now as they are scheduled to until August 2025, the cost of maintaining a home is still challenging. Pexels
From his perspective, the increase in costs is not solely due to inflation. There are fixed components that exert constant pressure. He pointed out: “There are three components that exert significant pressure and are difficult to negotiate: salaries, utilities, and technical maintenance. If the building doesn't review its consumption and contracting practices, any external increase will have a direct impact without any mitigation.”
The situation also impacts property values. A building with financial problems loses predictability and affects the decision-making of owners and investors. “A building with high delinquency rates loses predictability. This influences the decision to rent, sell, or even invest in improvements. The financial health of the building becomes as important a factor as its location,” he explained.
In this context, management becomes a central factor. The incorporation of technology emerges as a tool to improve efficiency and reduce costs. “Measuring consumption in real time, automating lighting or heating systems, digitizing administration, and making expenses transparent is not a luxury. It is a concrete way to lower costs and, above all, to build trust among neighbors,” he stated.
The problem also has a cultural dimension. Owner participation directly impacts the building's operation. “When owners disengage, the building becomes more expensive. Managing a building isn't just about paying maintenance fees; it's about getting involved, monitoring, and planning. Indifference ends up being much more costly than any investment in efficiency,” he explained.
In a challenging economic climate, discussions about maintenance fees, amenities, and the financial sustainability of building associations are gaining prominence. The balance between quality of life and monthly costs is becoming a key variable in the real estate market.
Eliçagaray concluded that the challenge goes beyond the financial aspect and is linked to the preservation of heritage and coexistence in buildings.
www.buysellba.com
