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For the first time in 18 months, expenses fell in Buenos Aires: how much do homeowners and renters pay per month? - Infobae
Source:
www.infobae.com
March 20, 2025
This was confirmed by a private analysis. Prices in other districts rose less sharply. How can consortiums save money for the upcoming fall and winter?
By Jose Luis Cieri
There is concern among consortia because the costs of expenses make it difficult to carry out preventive maintenance on buildings.
After 18 consecutive months of increases, according to a private analysis, expenses in the city of Buenos Aires (CABA) registered a 1.98% decrease in February, which represents a relief for homeowners and renters.
This slowdown goes hand in hand with the slowdown in inflation, according to the ConsorcioAbierto platform. In fact, in February, the CPI again showed signs of improvement, with monthly inflation of 2.4% and year-on-year inflation of 66.9% , as reported by INDEC.
In February, the average spending bill in Buenos Aires City was $230,186, a similar figure to the January figure of $234,854 (down 1.98%). However, the year-over-year increase is 128.37%, as the average spending bill in February 2024 was $100,794 in Buenos Aires City.
Source: ConsorcioAbierto
Loisi also emphasized that, while costs may stabilize thanks to lower inflation, corporations will continue to face fluctuations in expenses. "Consortiums function similarly to family economies, where there are always some units that consume more than others," he added.
To avoid unnecessary expenses, it's advisable to review invoices and ensure that the administration is transparent in its management of resources.
Loisi emphasized that it is essential that owners not simply settle for expense figures, but rather take the time to compare expenses with the corresponding invoices. She advised: "The administration of a consortium manages other people's assets, so transparency is key to ensuring that expenses are real and justified."
In Córdoba, also according to ConsorcioAbierto, the increase was 159.65% year-on-year, with an average expense of $103,700 in February (4.34% more than in January).
In Santa Fe, prices rose 124.3% year-over-year, averaging $90,394 in February (down 1.55% compared to January). The largest month-over-month decline occurred in Entre Ríos, with an average of $42,064 in February, 13.38% less than in January (cumulatively increasing by 110.25% year-over-year).
As the size of buildings increases (based on the number of Functional Units), the impact of salaries on total costs tends to decrease. "This reflects an economy of scale in salary costs, where larger buildings distribute this expense across a greater number of units, thus reducing the percentage of this item in their total costs," explained Albano Laiuppa of ConsorcioAbierto.
Source: ConsorcioAbierto
The situation is reversed when it comes to operating and maintenance costs, which in some large buildings reached a level of up to 56%, driven by services such as cleaning and security.
Laiuppa clarified: “Regarding the pay raises for those in charge, a salary agreement was reached for the January-February two-month period in two tranches, as follows: 1.8% for January 2025, calculated on the December base salary, and 1.5% for February 2025, calculated on the January base salary. This increase will be reflected in upcoming expenses.”
Furthermore, the requirement to include the Consortium Good Practices Manual and the building regulations was recently introduced. Laiuppa emphasized the importance of maintaining formal and traceable communication between administrators and consortium members. In this context, technology plays a fundamental role in ensuring transparency in consortium management.
For his part, Loisi addressed another of the major concerns of the consortia: the increase in expenses in winter. In general, consortia have higher energy consumption during the colder months, especially those with central heating. To control these expenses, the assemblies often restrict the hours of boiler use.
Furthermore, in buildings with amenities, such as swimming pools, costs also increase during the summer. Loisi suggested that to reduce costs in the fall and winter, some consortia are considering installing solar panels on rooftops.
Finally, Loisi points out that one of the most effective ways to reduce costs is for owners to seek direct quotes. "Bad management often adds a 'commission' to suppliers, which raises the cost of repairs and payments, which is illegal," he concluded.
www.buysellba.com
Source:
Por primera vez en 18 meses, cayeron las expensas en CABA: cuánto pagan por mes propietarios e inquilinos
Así lo confirmó un análisis privado. En otros distritos subieron con menos fuerza. Cómo se puede ahorrar en los consorcios para el otoño y el invierno próximos
www.infobae.com
March 20, 2025
This was confirmed by a private analysis. Prices in other districts rose less sharply. How can consortiums save money for the upcoming fall and winter?
By Jose Luis Cieri
There is concern among consortia because the costs of expenses make it difficult to carry out preventive maintenance on buildings.
After 18 consecutive months of increases, according to a private analysis, expenses in the city of Buenos Aires (CABA) registered a 1.98% decrease in February, which represents a relief for homeowners and renters.
This slowdown goes hand in hand with the slowdown in inflation, according to the ConsorcioAbierto platform. In fact, in February, the CPI again showed signs of improvement, with monthly inflation of 2.4% and year-on-year inflation of 66.9% , as reported by INDEC.
In February, the average spending bill in Buenos Aires City was $230,186, a similar figure to the January figure of $234,854 (down 1.98%). However, the year-over-year increase is 128.37%, as the average spending bill in February 2024 was $100,794 in Buenos Aires City.
Reasons under analysis
David Loisi , president of the Horizontal Property Consortium League Foundation, explained that the drop in expenses is due to increased competition among providers. Owners, meeting in assemblies, began to look for cheaper alternatives for certain services, such as repairs and payments. "The need to compete has led to lower prices for some properties, which translates into a slight reduction in costs for the consortiums," he noted.
Source: ConsorcioAbierto
Loisi also emphasized that, while costs may stabilize thanks to lower inflation, corporations will continue to face fluctuations in expenses. "Consortiums function similarly to family economies, where there are always some units that consume more than others," he added.
To avoid unnecessary expenses, it's advisable to review invoices and ensure that the administration is transparent in its management of resources.
Loisi emphasized that it is essential that owners not simply settle for expense figures, but rather take the time to compare expenses with the corresponding invoices. She advised: "The administration of a consortium manages other people's assets, so transparency is key to ensuring that expenses are real and justified."
In other lands
In the province of Buenos Aires, expenses increased by 149.88% year-on-year, reaching an average of $106,642 in February (2.72% more than in January).In Córdoba, also according to ConsorcioAbierto, the increase was 159.65% year-on-year, with an average expense of $103,700 in February (4.34% more than in January).
In Santa Fe, prices rose 124.3% year-over-year, averaging $90,394 in February (down 1.55% compared to January). The largest month-over-month decline occurred in Entre Ríos, with an average of $42,064 in February, 13.38% less than in January (cumulatively increasing by 110.25% year-over-year).
Main expenses in consortia
The private survey of 11,000 consortia identified that the top five expenses for buildings or housing complexes in Buenos Aires in February were:- Personnel and salaries: Representing 36% of total expenses, it is the most significant item. In small buildings (0-50 Functional Units, UFs), it reaches 38%, while in large buildings (over 200 UFs) it drops to 15%.
- Operating and maintenance expenses: This represents an average of 27%, but follows an inverse trend to salaries: it starts at 24% in small buildings and increases to 54% in large buildings, driven by services such as cleaning, security, and maintenance.
- Public Services: This sector ranks third, with an impact of 13% to 16%, remaining fairly stable regardless of the size of the consortium.
- Administration and management: This accounts for 10% of the total, and drops to 6% in large buildings due to the dilution of fixed costs such as fees and insurance.
- Extraordinary maintenance and works: represents 7% of the total; it barely decreases as the size of the building increases.
As the size of buildings increases (based on the number of Functional Units), the impact of salaries on total costs tends to decrease. "This reflects an economy of scale in salary costs, where larger buildings distribute this expense across a greater number of units, thus reducing the percentage of this item in their total costs," explained Albano Laiuppa of ConsorcioAbierto.
Source: ConsorcioAbierto
The situation is reversed when it comes to operating and maintenance costs, which in some large buildings reached a level of up to 56%, driven by services such as cleaning and security.
Laiuppa clarified: “Regarding the pay raises for those in charge, a salary agreement was reached for the January-February two-month period in two tranches, as follows: 1.8% for January 2025, calculated on the December base salary, and 1.5% for February 2025, calculated on the January base salary. This increase will be reflected in upcoming expenses.”
Regulations and how you can save
Regulations regarding access to information for consortium members are becoming increasingly strict, Laiuppa explained. In Buenos Aires City, the law requires that expense reports include two links or QR codes detailing expenses and contributions to consortium employees.Furthermore, the requirement to include the Consortium Good Practices Manual and the building regulations was recently introduced. Laiuppa emphasized the importance of maintaining formal and traceable communication between administrators and consortium members. In this context, technology plays a fundamental role in ensuring transparency in consortium management.
For his part, Loisi addressed another of the major concerns of the consortia: the increase in expenses in winter. In general, consortia have higher energy consumption during the colder months, especially those with central heating. To control these expenses, the assemblies often restrict the hours of boiler use.
Furthermore, in buildings with amenities, such as swimming pools, costs also increase during the summer. Loisi suggested that to reduce costs in the fall and winter, some consortia are considering installing solar panels on rooftops.
Finally, Loisi points out that one of the most effective ways to reduce costs is for owners to seek direct quotes. "Bad management often adds a 'commission' to suppliers, which raises the cost of repairs and payments, which is illegal," he concluded.
www.buysellba.com
