The Recurring Battle: "Do We Ask the Owner or the Tenant?"
One of the top sources of arrears in Pakistani apartment buildings is confusion over maintenance liability when a flat is rented out.
The building guard arrives at the door for the monthly maintenance fee, and the tenant says: > "This is the flat owner's responsibility, collect it from them." Meanwhile, the flat owner in Dubai or Islamabad says: > "The resident is the one using the routine services, so the tenant should pay."
Result? Months go by, arrears accumulate, and building services suffer.
Standard Legal Breakdown
Under standard Sindh Rented Premises Ordinance and Punjab Rented Premises Act frameworks:
- Operational / Usufructuary Charges (Tenant’s Responsibility):
- - Security guard salaries
- - Garbage collection and hallway sweeping
- - Generator diesel consumed during the tenancy month
- - Common electricity meter share (staircase lights and water pumps)
- - Routine water tanker deliveries consumed by current residents
- Capital Asset & Structural Reserves (Owner’s Responsibility):
- - Elevator replacement / cable renewal (Sinking Fund)
- - Roof waterproofing and exterior plastering
- - Building fire safety system overhaul
- - Structural generator overhaul or complete engine replacement
The Nearlify Flat-Level Billing Toggle
Nearlify solves this with a single click: each unit card features a "Bill To: Owner | Tenant" toggle. Both parties get access to a private Rental Vault where utility bills and rent clearance receipts are safely stored, ensuring smooth vacancy and security deposit returns.
Related reading: Generator Fuel Split Formula and the dispute-free AGM audit report.