Maintenance charges are what a residential society or its maintenance agency bills owners for running the building. CAM (common area maintenance) charges are the commercial equivalent, billed to tenants or owners of offices, shops and malls, usually per square foot of chargeable area and separately from rent.
Side by side
Factor
Maintenance charges
CAM charges
Property type
Residential societies
Offices, malls, commercial complexes
Billed by
The society, association or builder until handover
The landlord, owner's association or facility manager
Basis
Per square foot or flat, as the society decides
Usually per square foot of chargeable area
Paid by
The owner, or the tenant if the lease says so
Usually the tenant, as the lease says
Covers
Security, cleaning, lifts, common power, repairs
Same, plus air conditioning and marketing in some malls
Escalation
Set by the society
Often in the lease
GST
Can apply above thresholds set by GST law
Generally applies
When Maintenance charges matters
Before buying a flat, ask for the current maintenance bill and any arrears; a buyer can inherit unpaid dues.
When CAM charges matters
Before leasing commercial space, compare total occupancy cost: rent plus CAM, on the same area basis.
In more detail
A residential society's charges are decided by its members under its bye-laws; a builder's charges before handover are set by the agreement. In commercial leases, CAM is a contract term and can be negotiated.
Unpaid maintenance follows the flat in practice: societies usually ask for a no-dues certificate before transferring membership.
Common questions
Is CAM the same as maintenance?
It is the commercial version: common area maintenance, billed per square foot of chargeable area under a lease.
Who pays maintenance on a rented flat?
Whoever the rent agreement says. Commonly the owner pays the society, and the tenant pays any charge the agreement passes on.
Is GST charged on society maintenance?
It can be, above thresholds set by GST law for the member's charge and the society's turnover. Check the current notification.
Sources
State co-operative society acts and apartment ownership acts
Central GST notifications on services by resident welfare associations
A plain-language summary, not legal or tax advice. Rules set by states differ and change; check the current position for your property.