VvE apartment owners association

Responsibilities of VvE

Buildings with multiple apartments must set up a VvE and register it with the Chamber of Commerce (KvK) if the incorporation occurs after 2008. The VvE is responsible for arranging the common areas, such as the elevator, stairwell, garden, and facade. For this reason, collective building and liability insurance is also mandatory.

Budgets and planning

Larger VvEs must comply with more rules. For example, a multi-year maintenance plan (MJOP) is required in which all planned maintenance work is budgeted. The VvE also has a reserve fund for unexpected expenses. You can hope that the reserve fund is well-stocked. If not, you may have to pay extra money to the VvE for unexpected major maintenance.

Your responsibilities in an association

As a VvE member, you have specific responsibilities, such as attending meetings and voting on important decisions. You may also be elected as a VvE board member, which entails additional responsibilities, such as managing the reserve fund and negotiating contracts with contractors. An active VvE holds annual meetings and keeps notes. In the notes, you can read about the issues at hand. Larger VvEs have often outsourced these tasks to professional VvE management parties.

Monthly contribution

VvE members pay monthly service charges to cover costs. The amount is determined based on fractions that indicate your share in the VvE. This is stated in the division deed. In addition, the subdivision regulations state what is included in the common parts and matters and what you contribute to.

Consent of the VvE

An essential aspect of the VvE is that it can prohibit specific actions, such as renting out an apartment through Airbnb or making structural changes to an apartment without permission. Naturally, this can affect your plans as an apartment owner, so it is crucial to understand the VvE rules before buying an apartment.

VvE vetting

If you are buying a home, it is vital to understand the Owner's Association documents fully. A notary will analyze these documents to ensure no hidden problems with the VvE. Mortgage lenders also have rules with which the VvE must comply, such as preparing a multi-year maintenance plan.

VvE for residential properties

Sometimes a VvE also occurs with single family homes. For example, they own a collective facility such as a playing field or parking garage. In that case, you also buy an "apartment right" in a VvE when you are not buying an apartment but a house! Incidentally, the apartment right relating to the collective facility is usually split from the cadastral plot of the house of which you are the complete owner.