Switching from Cooperatives to Associations of Housing Owners: How will monthly size per square meter be calculated

In the near future, Kazakhstanis are obliged to choose a new form of condominium management. And cooperatives of housing owners will need to be reorganized before July 1, 2022. Margulan Abdykarimov, deputy head of the Regional Development and Methodology Department of Kazakhstan Center for Modernization and Development of Housing and Communal Services, said this in an interview with PrimeMinister.kz.

“In the transitional provisions of the law, it is noted that cooperatives of apartment owners that were created with the requirement of the old law have the right to carry out their activities until July 1, 2022. If the residents of the apartment building are satisfied with the work of their cooperative of apartment owners, if cooperative provides the services as affordable as possible, if the cleaning is stable, there are no complaints, then the residents can have this cooperative of apartment owners until July 1, 2022. But when this period is reached, cooperative must understand: it goes into the category of management companies or service companies,” Abdykarimov explained.

As Abdykarimov emphasized, the main body is the council of the house, which controls the work of the association chair, that is, she fulfills the will, the decision of the meeting and the council of the house regarding the management and maintenance of the apartment building.

“If the residents have elected the association chair, and she is an initiative person, then she has the right to work directly with service organizations, conclude contracts on behalf of the association of property owners with service organizations and pay for the services of these organizations according to acts of work that will be provided monthly. The collected funds are controlled by the council of the house, the chair signs all acts of work performed, while the control and monitoring remains with the residents of the house,” Abdykarimov explained.

In addition, there is a methodology for calculating operating costs, that is, the necessary list of works that must be performed during the year. In accordance with this list of works, an annual cost estimate for the management and maintenance of this house is compiled.

“Based on this list, the monthly size per square meter is calculated. Accordingly, in this methodology, 25% is laid on management, 5% — on office supplies and 70% — on maintenance. This technique remains the main one in force. Here the question may be on payment. The association chair, if she expressed a desire to work as a representative, and this is a tenant of this house, residents must understand that this work should be paid. They will need to set wages,” added Abdykarimov.

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