Service charge (czynsz administracyjny)

A monthly payment to the homeowners' association or the cooperative, paid independently of your loan instalment. It covers, among other things, the upkeep of common areas, the repair fund and advance payments for utilities.

The amount depends on the building, the floor area of the unit, the number of residents and the scope of services. Utilities are usually settled once a year, which may mean an extra payment or a refund. The bank takes these costs into account when assessing your creditworthiness.