The shared running expenses of a Greek polykatoikia (apartment building), such as cleaning, lift maintenance, stairwell electricity and repairs, are known as koinoxrista (κοινόχρηστα). They are allocated among apartments according to the building’s rules and expense allocation tables. Being away does not automatically remove an owner’s responsibility to contribute.
Managing the shared expenses of a property that you own abroad can be a real headache, and understanding the koinoxrista statement is a good starting point.
What koinoxrista means
The Greek term for shared running costs is koinoxrista (κοινόχρηστα). These include cleaning, lifts, electricity in the stairwells, heating where appropriate, building insurance and administrator’s fees for buildings managed by a paid company. They can also include painting and repairs to parts of the building used in common.
The building’s rules (κανονισμός) and expense allocation tables set out how costs are divided. The statement shows the actual expenses and what each apartment pays.
Owners of empty apartments generally still contribute to shared expenses. Any reductions or exemptions depend on the building’s rules and applicable provisions, rather than simply on whether someone is living there. proper.gr
Typical charges on a building statement
The charges are not the same from one polykatoikia to the next. This sample list comprises typical examples to help owners become more familiar with their first statement:
- Cleaning: Stairwells, lobby and other shared areas.
- Shared electricity: Lighting the stairs, corridors, gardens and other areas within the building that are owned in common.
- Lift maintenance and servicing: Including periodic inspections when due.
- Shared heating: Allocated according to the building’s heating system and applicable allocation rules, which may include both fixed and consumption-based charges.
- Building insurance: Where the building carries a policy.
- Administrator’s fee: If the building is managed by a paid administrator instead of an unpaid resident or owner.
- Minor and routine repairs: To shared areas or systems.
- Reserve fund contributions: Contributions to a fund intended to cover larger expenses from time to time.
Not every apartment building has all of the above expenses. Where a management or administrator’s fee is charged, it should be identifiable separately from the building’s other running costs.
How to read your apartment’s share
A koinoxrista statement lists the expenses, showing the total amount spent by the building and the share that each apartment is required to pay for each expense.
There are two main reasons why owners of similar apartments in the same building might pay different amounts for apparently identical expenses:
- Different hiliosta per category. Hiliosta (χιλιοστά) are allocation shares expressed in thousandths. The same share does not necessarily apply to all categories. A ground-floor apartment may have a lower allocation for lift costs than an upper-floor apartment, depending on the building’s allocation table.
- Usage-based charges. Certain expenses, such as heating, may include a charge based on recorded consumption alongside a fixed contribution. The calculation depends on the building’s system and applicable allocation rules.
If you are unclear whether an expense has been allocated according to usage or a fixed share, it is reasonable to request clarification from the administrator.
Illustrative example only, not a real building:
| Expense | Building total | This apartment’s share | Amount due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | €600 | 8.5% | €51.00 |
| Lift maintenance | €400 | 6.0% | €24.00 |
| Stairwell electricity | €180 | 8.5% | €15.30 |
| Reserve fund contribution | €300 | 8.5% | €25.50 |
| Total this period | €115.80 |
This is an example structure only. Your building’s categories, hiliosta and amounts will vary.
Operating charges, reserves and one-off repairs
It helps to distinguish between three types of expenses and how they are generally managed:
Recurring operational charges
These are the regular bills typically collected monthly or every two months, such as cleaning, common electricity charges and lift maintenance. They can be separated from large one-off repairs and reserve fund contributions.
Reserve fund contributions
Some buildings collect a standing reserve towards larger, foreseeable future costs, such as facade repainting, a lift overhaul or a roof repair. Others do not collect a reserve.
If a building does collect a reserve, its size and purpose can vary from building to building.
One-off works and special assessments
These cover major repairs, such as a new roof, lift replacement or facade works, approved through the building’s decision-making process. Payment may be collected in instalments.
Such charges can be considerably larger than regular koinoxrista and should be clearly identified.
Combining all three types into a single figure makes a charge difficult to understand, especially when it increases. You need to know whether an increase is a one-off payment or part of the ongoing koinoxrista charges.
Ask the administrator to specify the category that a large charge falls into if it is not already clearly noted.
What receipts and supporting records to request
Keep these for your own records so you can double-check any irregularities or queries about specific bills later:
- Receipts or invoices supporting the listed expenses, rather than only a summary total.
- Dated statements covering a clear billing period.
- A table showing your apartment’s allocation share for each expense category.
- The current reserve fund balance and what it is meant to be used for.
- Minutes from the general assembly meetings where one-off works or special assessments were approved.
As long as you keep these documents, even in a private email to yourself, you will be able to refer to them later and compare charges against previous records.
“Owners should be able to see what a building charge covers. A clear statement and a payment record make managing it from abroad much easier.”
Yanis, Founder of Home Watch Athens
Paying and tracking charges from overseas
Some practical notes from a remote owner’s perspective:
- Confirm the payment arrangements. Bank transfer may be available. Ask the administrator for the designated account details, account holder’s name and payment reference.
- Check transfer costs. Any exchange rates or transfer charges need to be checked with your own bank. They may differ from those charged for a Greek domestic payment.
- Keep a payment record. Read what your apartment’s charge covers and keep a simple log to cross-check against the administrator’s records.
- Use a spreadsheet if helpful. Record each payment, including its date, amount and the billing period it covers.
For your separate household bills, see our guide to paying Greek utility bills from abroad.
When to ask the building manager for clarification
Request clarification from the administrator in writing when:
- A statement does not show the allocation basis, such as percentage or usage, for a line item.
- A charge is significantly higher than usual without explanation.
- It is unclear whether a charge covers ongoing expenditure or a contribution to a reserve for future expenditure.
- You do not have a copy of your apartment’s hiliosta allocations.
- The statement or supporting documents are unreadable or in a language you do not understand.
You do not need to be in Athens to ask questions about charges to your Greek apartment. Home Watch Athens can make enquiries with the administrator on behalf of members living abroad, retain the relevant statements and receipts, and highlight anything unusual.
Please see our administrative representation services for details. Technical works and additional attendance are agreed and charged separately where required.
Koinoxrista categories, allocation methods and amounts vary between buildings. The example above should therefore not be treated as a calculation of any specific building’s charges. Our support covers administrative coordination, rather than debt recovery or enforcement.
Frequently asked questions
What are koinoxrista?
Koinoxrista are the shared running costs of a Greek apartment building’s common areas and installations. They are allocated among apartments according to the building’s rules and the relevant expense allocation tables.
What do the charges usually cover?
Typically cleaning, shared electricity, lift maintenance and shared heating where applicable. They may also include building insurance, an administrator’s fee, routine repairs and reserve fund contributions for future repairs or replacements.
Why is my bill different from my neighbour’s?
Your apartment’s allocation shares, or hiliosta, may differ by expense category. Some charges may also include a usage-based element, such as recorded heating consumption.
Can I pay from a foreign bank account?
Generally, yes, if the building accepts bank transfers. This depends on the payment arrangements made by the administrator.
Which receipts should I keep?
Keep:
- Itemised, dated statements and proof of your payments.
- Supporting receipts or invoices for expenses where available.
- The table showing the allocation basis for each expense category.
- A statement of the current reserve fund balance.
- Minutes of meetings where special charges for one-off works were approved.
Who can explain a statement in English?
Ask your building administrator whether they can explain the statement in English. If language is a barrier, you can always use ChatGPT or Google Translate to help you better understand the document.