Can Apartment Management Teams Handle Tenant Fights About Maintenance Charges When You Are Overseas?

You might relax in London or finish work in New York when your phone suddenly lights up. Your tenant in India sends a long angry message. They refuse to pay the maintenance charges because the lift is not working or the building looks dirty. As a result, you feel stuck because you cannot fix anything from another country and you cannot join a noisy Society meeting on a video call.

This happens to many NRIs who own homes in India. Tenants complain, argue, or expect fast replies. However, when you live far away, these problems feel bigger and more stressful.

The good news is that you do not need to manage this alone. Instead, you can rely on a professional apartment management team. They handle these fights, arrange repairs, and protect your peace of mind. As a result, you can focus on your life abroad without constant interruptions.

This simple guide shows you how these teams work. You will understand tenant behaviour, Society rules, legal duties, and the role of property management companies. Meanwhile, you will also learn how their support makes your life easier.

By the end, you will feel more confident about taking care of your home in India while living anywhere in the world.

By the end, you will feel more confident about taking care of your home in India while living anywhere in the world.

Understanding the Problem

Maintenance charges are monthly fees paid to the housing Societies in mumbai. These fees cover basic services like cleaning, security, water supply, lift repairs, and building upkeep. Because of this, every tenant must pay them on time.

Most fights happen due to two main reasons.

1. The agreement is unclear

Firstly, if the rental agreement does not clearly say who pays the maintenance, the tenant may refuse to pay. Many NRIs use old or weak contracts, so confusion starts quickly.

2. The tenant is unhappy with the Society services

Secondly, if the lift breaks or the building looks dirty, some tenants stop paying in protest. For the Society, the owner is responsible. However, for the tenant, they feel they should only pay if everything works well.

As a result, you get caught in the middle while sitting thousands of kilometres away. This is when an apartment management team becomes very helpful because they handle the problem for you.

The Real Problems NRIs Face

Managing a home from abroad is harder than it seems. You face many issues, and they often pile up fast.

For example:

• Time zone differences make communication slow.
• You cannot check if the tenant is telling the truth.
• You may not know the latest Society rules.
• Tenants expect quick replies even when it is night in your country.
• You cannot visit the home to check repairs.
• The Society sends penalties to owners, not tenants.

Because of these problems, you may lose peace of mind, money, or even a good tenant. However, a good apartment management company solves these issues for you and keeps everything running smoothly.

How Apartment Management Teams Fix These Fights

Professional property management act like a shield between you, the tenant, and the Society. They keep everything calm and clear.

Here is how they help.

1. They improve your rental agreement

A good team checks:

• Who pays maintenance
• Who handles repairs
• What services are included
• What happens if the tenant refuses to pay

Many teams suggest that the owner pays the Society and later adds the amount to the rent. This keeps things simple and avoids fights.

2. They become the main contact

Tenants speak to the manager, not you. The manager:

• Visits the property
• Checks if the complaint is real
• Works with repair workers
• Makes sure work is done on time

This stops small problems from growing bigger.

3. They handle disputes calmly

If the tenant refuses to pay maintenance, the manager explains:

• Maintenance is compulsory
• Payment and service issues are separate
• What happens if they avoid payment

They also attend Society meetings for you.

4. They manage repairs inside the home

Most fights start because something inside the flat is broken. The manager:

• Takes photos of damage
• Sends you reports
• Calls repair people
• Confirms work is completed

This stops tenants from using repairs as an excuse to avoid paying rent.

5. They protect you legally

Your manager follows:

• RERA rules
• Local city laws
• Housing Society rules

This protects you from penalties or legal trouble.

Expert Insight

Many NRIs think only the owner can deal with Society issues. This is not true. Your property management team can represent you with a simple Letter of Authority or Power of Attorney.

A consultant at LawCrust Realty says:
“When you authorise your apartment management team, they can attend meetings, raise issues, and handle Society problems for you. This protects your interests.”

This helps in cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Delhi.

Case Example: The Broken Gym Problem

Arjun lives in Singapore. His tenant Rahul in Pune stopped paying maintenance because the Society gym machines were broken. The Society sent a notice to Arjun.

Here is what the manager did:

• Checked the Society gym and confirmed the machines were broken
• Spoke to Rahul and explained he must still pay maintenance
• Sent a complaint to the Society
• Recovered the pending payment
• The Society fixed the gym after the complaint

Arjun did not make a single call.

Key Points for NRI Homeowners

• Use a clear agreement
• Pay maintenance on time
• Let professionals handle tenant issues
• Keep digital records
• Stay calm
• Work with a trusted local team

Future Outlook and Common Myths

• Myth: Tenants can stop paying maintenance if unhappy
  Truth: They cannot.
• Myth: Owners must handle all issues
  Truth: A representative can manage it.
• Myth: Property management is costly
  Truth: It saves money in the long run.

Modern tools, apps, and online updates make property management easier. Tenants can report problems quickly and get faster support. Owners get updates without stress.

FAQs

1. Can apartment management teams solve tenant disputes?

Yes.

2. Who pays Society maintenance?

Legally the owner, but the agreement decides who pays.

3. Can tenants stop paying maintenance?

No.

4. Can a representative attend Society meetings?

Yes.

5. Do they handle inside-home repairs?

Yes.

6. How much do they charge?

Usually 8 to 15 percent of monthly rent or a fixed yearly fee.

7. Should I hire a freelancer or a company?

A company is more reliable.

Conclusion

Maintenance fights can feel stressful when you live abroad, but a strong apartment management team makes life easier. They manage repairs, speak to tenants, deal with the Society, follow the law, and protect your home. This keeps your property safe, your tenant satisfied, and your mind relaxed.

About lawcrust Realty

At LawCrust Realty, we stand apart as a premium and top real estate consulting partner for NRIs across the globe, offering end-to-end solutions in Property Management Services, Property Regularisation, Construction & Redevelopment, and Project Management Consulting. Born out of a legacy in legal and hybrid consulting, we understand the unique challenges NRIs face in protecting and growing their Indian assets – and we bridge them with compliance-driven execution, strategic expertise, and client-first innovation. Whether it is managing NRI-held properties, transforming long-pending assets into legally regularised ones, delivering turnkey redevelopment solutions, or guiding housing societies with independent project management consulting, LawCrust Realty combines authority with accessibility. By choosing us, you do not just solve property challenges from overseas – you future-proof your assets with one of India’s best and most trusted realty partners.

Contact LawCrust Today

• Call Now: +91 8450968472
• Email: inquiry@lawcrustrealty.com