澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网

Maintenance Expenses (Costs of Maintenance): Definition

What Are Maintenance Expenses?

The term maintenance expense refers to any cost incurred by an individual or business to keep their assets in good working condition. These costs may be spent for the general maintenance of items like running anti-virus software on computer systems or they may be used for repairs such as fixing a car or machinery. These expenses are in addition to the actual 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:purchase price of an asset, so individuals and companies should be able and willing to foot🌌 the bill in order to keep their assets in running order.

Understanding Maintenance Expenses

Consumers who purchase assets should expect to pay maintenance expenses at some point in the future if they want to use them over a period of time. As mentioned earlier, these costs are incurred in order to keep an individual or company's assets in good working order.

How much an individual pays in maintenance expenses depends on the type of asset and how often upkeep is required and performed. Individuals may incur maintenance costs for homes, automobiles, appliances, and electronics, while businesses pay for maintenance on their 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:fixed assets—vehicles, equipm𒊎ent🌳, facilities—and their technology.

Keeping up to date with regular maintenance can keep costs down because the asset is serviced on a timely basis. Neglecting assets and waiting until the last minute to service them may result in higher maintenance costs. If the asset isn't maintained at all, the owner may have to replace it altogether.

Key Takeaways

  • Maintenance expenses are necessary costs for upkeep—whether it's a car, home, rental apartment, or condominium.
  • Neglecting regular maintenance—and not paying expenses for upkeep—may result in higher maintenance costs and, even worse, replacement costs for the asset itself.
  • Individuals pay for maintenance on things like homes, automobiles, and appliances, while companies pay for upkeep on fixed assets and technology.

Special Considerations

Consumers should consider the initial price tag as well as the item's ongoing maintenance expenses when they purchase an item that requires upkeep. This is why it's always a good idea for any consumer to 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:set some money aside for maintenance expenses. Failure to do so may result in fin♉ancial distress when it comes time to pay for these charges in the⛎ future.

Important

It's always a good idea to have money set aside for the regular maintenance of your assets.

Types of Maintenance Expenses

As mentioned above, maintenance expenses depend on the type of asset held. Maintenance expenses for homes include lawn care, plumbing, electrical, and roof repairs as well as replacement of worn-out appliances. Homeowners must also pay premiums for 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:hazard insurance. This expense protects the owner from damage to the home from natural events like s⛦evere storms, fires, tornados, and earthquakes. 

Landlords and Tenants

Most of the maintenance expenses for a 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:rental property are the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:landlord's responsibility. Snow removal, sewage, trash pickup, lawn care as well as the sidewalks, windows, and any exterior expense falls to the landlord to pay. If the apartment or rental home is furnished, any replacement or repair of the furniture is the landlord’s responsibility. Cleaning or replacement of any carpeting, as well as painting, is also paid for by the landlord.

Government regulations require landlords to maintain certain safety and 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:living standards. For example, the heat in an apartment building must meet minimum standards. The 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:infrastructure, such as heating and ventilation, must be adequately maintained by the landlord. Some of the upkeep and maintenance may fall on the tenant. The 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:rental agreement sh💧ould define what expenses are the renter's responsibility.

Condo Fees

Monthly fees are common for people who own condominiums. 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Condo fees can range from 🎉$50 to $1,000 depending on the property, building, and location. If the building has a con👍cierge, swimming pool, tennis courts, or gym, those costs are built into the monthly condo fee.

Buyers who want maintenance-free living should consider the monthly fees when calculating their affordability and the potential mortgage payment for the condominium. If, for example, the mortgage payment ⛦is $1,500 per month while the condo fee is $600 per month, the condo fee represents nearly 30% of the total monthly payments to live there.

Example of Maintenance Expenses

澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Owning a vehicle requires regular maintenance—oil changes, tire rotation, and engine flushes. Owners can enjoy their vehicles by keeping up to date with and paying for these expenses on a timely and regular basis. People who don't maintain their vehicles or wait too long may have to pay more or take out an auto repair loan to pay for the maintenance. They may even have to pay the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:replacement cost for a new vehicle.

Article Sources
Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our editorial policy.
  1. Nationwide. ""

  2. Tenant Resource Center. "."

  3. Zillow. "."

  4. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. ". "

Compare Accounts
The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Investopedia receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where listings appear. Investopedia does not include all offers available in the marketplace.

Related Articles