samfällighetsavgift

Samfällighetsavgift, often translated as a "joint ownership fee" or "common property charge," is a recurring payment made by owners of properties within a jointly owned area, known as a samfällighet. These samfälligheter are common in Sweden and are established to manage and maintain shared amenities or infrastructure that benefit multiple properties. Examples include private roads, shared driveways, water or sewage systems, parks, recreational areas, or other common facilities.

The fee is determined by the samfällighet's constitution or bylaws, which outline how costs are to be distributed among the property owners. This distribution is typically based on factors such as the size of the property, its proximity to the shared amenity, or simply an equal division among all members. The collected funds are used to cover expenses like maintenance, repairs, insurance, and sometimes administrative costs associated with the jointly owned property.

Membership in a samfällighet is usually mandatory for owners of properties included in its formation. The obligation to pay the samfällighetsavgift is legally tied to property ownership, meaning new owners automatically become members and are responsible for future payments. Failure to pay can lead to legal action by the samfällighet to recover the outstanding amounts, potentially including interest and legal fees. Decisions regarding the management and budget of the samfällighet are typically made at annual meetings where all property owners have the right to participate and vote.