Analysis of lift costs apportionment amongst condomini in Malta

Abstract

The condominium act suggest two principal methods for the apportionment of costs amongst condomini. These are optional and condomini can mutually agree to adopt any other method. The condominium act suggests that; "where expenses are made with respect to anything that serves the condomini in an unequal measure, the expenses shall be apportioned in proportion to the use each one can make." The most commonly used apportionment method for condominiums in Malta is that of splitting the bills equally amongst condomini irrespective of the usage profile of the common parts and respective assets. This method is generally accepted by all condomini since it is simple and relatively easy to implement. Lift in condominiums constitute a significant portion of the total annual condominium costs. Lifts are vertical transportation systems whose usage is related to the vertical distance travelled. The aim of this research is to identify lift usage factors that can be used to support the apportionment method suggested by the condominium act stated above. The hydraulic type lift represent 71% of the lifts in condominiums. The research was based on this type of lift. It was found that this type of lifts constitutes between 25% to 50% of the total annual condominium costs. A tendency was identified where condomini of the upper floors used the lift more often. The proportion to the use of the lift amongst condomini can be based on two factors: The energy consumption by the lift to travel from ground floor to any other floor. The number of times the lift is used to travel from ground floor to any other floor. Furthermore to the above, every lift run, being 0-1 or 0-2 or 0-3 has an attributed average cost for units of energy consumed. It was estimated that on average the cost of electricity for the lift to travel from ground floor to the fifth floor (0-5) costs at least 3 times more than the cost of electricity for the lift to travel up by any one floor (0-1, 3-4, etc.).