SingaporeThe management corporation raised maintenance fees unreasonably.
The management corporation (MC) must justify any maintenance fee increase with proper budgeting and approval at an AGM; unreasonable increases may be challenged under the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act.
What the Law Says
The Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act (BMSMA) sets strict rules on how maintenance fees can be raised by a management corporation.
Under section 38 of the BMSMA, the management corporation must prepare an annual budget and present it for approval at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Any increase in maintenance fees must be based on this approved budget.
The law requires that notice of the AGM — including the proposed budget and fee changes — be given to all subsidiary proprietors at least 30 days before the meeting. This ensures owners have time to review and raise concerns.
If the MC raises fees without following these steps — such as skipping AGM approval or failing to provide proper notice — the increase may be considered invalid or unlawful.
Statutory TextThe management corporation shall, before the annual general meeting, prepare a budget for the ensuing financial year which shall include the estimated amount of maintenance fees to be collected from the subsidiary proprietors.
— Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act, s. 38 — Budget and maintenance fees
What to Do
Review the latest AGM minutes and budget documents to confirm whether the fee increase was properly approved.
Check if you received at least 30 days’ written notice before the AGM where the budget was voted on.
Raise the issue formally with the MC’s council in writing, requesting justification and supporting documents.
If unresolved, file a complaint with the Commissioner for Buildings under the BMSMA.
As a last resort, apply to the Strata Titles Board for a review — though note the Board’s jurisdiction is limited to specific matters under the Act.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.