Timeshare Maintenance Fees Explained

In the vacation timeshare industry, maintenance fees are just a fact of life. These mandatory fees help the resort maintain and renovate the property. Maintenance fees are typically billed annually, and they tend to go up over time. Understanding timeshare maintenance fees, including what they’re for, how much they cost on average, and how to manage and even get out of them, is essential if you’re considering buying a timeshare. And that’s where we come in. Here’s everything you need to know about timeshare maintenance fees!

What Are Timeshare Maintenance Fees?

Annual maintenance fees are required for timeshare owners to pay to maintain their vacation property. They go towards employee wages, upkeep, and upgrading or enhancing resort units and amenities. Anyone who owns a timeshare pays maintenance fees. What’s more, these dues are divided among all owners of a timeshare. Resorts use annual dues to keep the property attractive and clean and to provide everyone with an amazing vacation experience every year.

Just as you would pay monthly or annually on upgrades and care for your car or house, timeshares also require maintenance and renovations over the years. Additionally, in the event of a natural disaster, some resorts save a portion of their owner’s maintenance fees in case of an emergency.

You might also like RCI Fees!

How Much Do Timeshare Maintenance Fees Cost on Average?

So, how much are timeshare maintenance fees? According to the American Resort Development Association, the 2022 average cost for annual timeshare fees was $1170. However, the cost can vary by the timeshare company, resort, developer, how many points you own, or the size of the unit you own. For example, Hilton timeshare maintenance fees and Disney Vacation Club maintenance fees are different. Approximately 9% of resorts have maintenance fees averaging less than $700, whereas 28% of resorts have maintenance fees averaging $1,300 or more.

Average Annual Maintenance Fees for Timeshare Owners

Unit Size	Average Yearly Maintenance Fees
Studio	$740
One Bedroom Unit	$930
Two Bedroom Unit	$1,150
Three Bedroom Unit +	$1,480
Average	$1,170

When Are Timeshare Maintenance Fees Due?

The due date for maintenance fees varies by resort and developer. In most cases, owners pay their dues once a year. They may also be due monthly, quarterly, or biannually. Typically, developers and resorts start sending out maintenance fee bills to owners in November, which are due by January 1st. You can refer to your contract to check the frequency at which you will be billed for your timeshare fees and when they are normally due.

What Do They Cover?

Timeshare maintenance fees go to several projects at your resort—all that benefit you! A few of the most common things timeshare fees cover is the beautification of your resort, aka maintaining the grounds and covering the labor of those who do. Upgrades and maintenance to your unit: new appliances and upkeep of existing ones are essential to make sure your unit is ready to welcome when you arrive. In addition, your dues help keep security up to date. Not to mention, you’re allowing the resort to bring new amenities to the resort and maintain the existing ones. This includes spas, pools, recreation centers, and amusements.

Did you know maintenance fees also go towards an emergency fund, such as in the case of a natural disaster? If your resort experiences structural damage from a storm or other natural disaster, your maintenance fees go towards making repairs. This is good news and means owners don’t have to pay any extra out of pocket when inclement weather affects their resort.

By paying your maintenance fees, you can rest assured that your resort will be ready to welcome you when you arrive! Just like homeowners must budget for maintenance around their property, the same goes for timeshare ownership.

Buy a Timeshare on the Resale Market

Timeshare maintenance fees are an essential (and inevitable) part of vacation ownership. The most important thing to keep in mind when you buy a timeshare for the first time is that these fees and dues are a required part of ownership.

If you want to start your timeshare ownership off on a good foot, buying a timeshare resale allows you to become an over for less. Start by browsing our timeshares for sale. Then, simply make an offer on the timeshare resort listing that best fits your needs and wants.

What Happens if I Stop Paying My Fees?

If you are no longer interested in owning your timeshare, or you are unable to afford your maintenance fees this year, you might be considering what would happen if you stop paying your timeshare maintenance fees. Scam companies, like a timeshare cancellation company or exit company, may advise that you stop paying. But there are other options to get out of your timeshare.

You should never stop paying your annual timeshare fees. If you do, you will default on your ownership, and it will affect your credit. Timeshare ownership is somewhat similar to owning real estate. If you were to stop paying on your mortgage for your house or the HOA to upkeep the neighborhood, your credit would be affected (and that doesn’t look good to the bank!)

Strategies for Lowering Your Maintenance Fees

With the average timeshare cost ranging into the tens of thousands of dollars, timeshares can be hard to afford. Tac maintenance fees onto your bill, and maintaining the timeshare lifestyle can be even harder. But while you should never stop paying your maintenance fees, there are strategies that can help you help you lower them in some cases. Here are some tips on how to potentially lower your maintenance fees.

Join Your Timeshare’s HOA Board

One strategy to lower your maintenance fees is to join your timeshare’s Homeowners Association. By joining the HOA board, you can influence things like resort management and budget allocation, potentially finding ways to cut costs and lower maintenance fees.

Negotiate With the Resort

If you think your resort is overcharging you for services, you may be able to negotiate with the resort for lower maintenance fees.

Take Advantage of Exchange Programs

Today, most timeshare companies are affiliated with exchange programs like RCI and Interval International that let you trade your weeks or points for other timeshares. If your maintenance fees are too high, consider exchanging for a timeshare property with lower fees.

How to Get Out of Maintenance Fees

If you are unable to pay your timeshare maintenance fees, the best options are to contact your resort/developer or sell your ownership. Undoubtedly, your developer will have suggestions to help you, like an in-house rental program or legitimate timeshare resale company referrals. Selling your timeshare is a safe option, should you decide to do so.

Walking Away From Timeshare Maintenance Fees: Sell Your Timeshare

When you’re ready to sell your timeshare, Fidelity Real Estate is here to help. Fidelity Real Estate is a full-service resale brokerage with over 20 years of experience in the timeshare resale industry.

Can you no longer afford your maintenance fees? Need to sell your timeshare? Fidelity Real Estate can help! Fill out the form below to get started.