majuühistu

Majuühistu is an Estonian term that translates to "housing cooperative" or "apartment building cooperative". It refers to a legal entity formed by the owners of apartments within a residential building. The primary purpose of a majuühistu is to collectively manage, maintain, and improve the common areas and the building itself. This includes responsibilities such as upkeep of the structure, repairs, ensuring the functionality of shared systems like plumbing and electricity, and managing common spaces such as stairwells, hallways, and exterior grounds.

Membership in a majuühistu is typically tied to the ownership of an apartment. Each apartment owner is a member and usually has voting rights in proportion to their ownership share, often based on the size of their apartment. The cooperative operates through a board or council elected by the members, which oversees the daily operations and implements decisions made at general meetings. Funding for the cooperative's activities comes from regular contributions or fees paid by the apartment owners, often referred to as maintenance fees or monthly dues. These funds cover operational costs, repairs, and potential future investments. The legal framework for majuühistud in Estonia is primarily governed by the Law of Obligations Act and the Condominium and Housing Associations Act.