Is there enough in the sinking fund? (2024)

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This was published 16 years ago

John Edwards, executive chairman, Strata Associates

"Buyers should look at the condition of the building. Is it in good condition or does it need a coat of paint? Do the windows need replacing? Are the gutters in good condition and are the carpets in the common area all right?

"Then have a search done of the Owners Corporation books, which will show what funds are in the administration's sinking fund. Look at the balance of the sinking fund and how much is being contributed a year into that fund. Then seek advice.

"If the sinking fund has a minimal amount and there is a lot of work to be done, then there is a big chance a special levy will crop up after they buy it. If they also see only a minimum amount being contributed by owners into the fund, it should sound alarm bells.

"If the building is in good condition and the owners are contributing a reasonable amount into the sinking fund, then they can probably think it is being run pretty well and the likelihood of a special levy is minimised. If the building is in bad condition but there is a lot of money in the sinking fund then they can see there is money to meet the commitments."

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Stephen Goddard, chair of the Owners Corporation Network

"Sinking funds should really reflect the size of the building. If buying into a large strata scheme, you would expect a sinking fund to be hundreds of thousands of dollars. Equally, if you are buying into a block of six, the sinking fund could be reasonable with a balance of only $60,000, because it is a matter of proportion. That's the first test.

"The second test will be to ask yourself if there is enough to preserve the quality of the common property. It is the sinking fund that will be used to reinstate the common property when it wears out. If the common property is depleted, this big investment of yours will be depleted, too. The consequence of not enough money in the sinking fund will be the surprise special levy.

"If there is evidence of bad governance in the building, it may be wise not to buy there ... Remember, the healthier the sinking fund, the safer your investment. It should be called the floating fund because it keeps the building afloat."

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Is there enough in the sinking fund? (2024)

FAQs

How much money should there be in a sinking fund? ›

To determine the amount to keep in a sinking fund, identify and list the anticipated expenses and their estimated costs. “Then, divide each expense by the number of months until it's due,” Rose said. “For example, if a $300 expense is six months away, allocate $50 per month to your sinking fund.

How much sinking fund is enough for society? ›

As per the Bye Law No. 13 (C), “The General Body can decide the Sinking Fund contribution, subject to the minimum of 0.25% per annum of the construction cost of each flat incurred during the construction of the building of the Society and certified by the Architect, excluding the proportionate cost of the land”.

Are sinking funds worth it? ›

They allow you to save for infrequent expenses and plan for large expenses over time. Having sinking funds can help prevent you from withdrawing money from your emergency fund or going into debt to pay for things. You can use a budgeting app, like You Need a Budget (YNAB) or PocketGuard, to monitor your sinking funds.

How much should you put in your sinking fund? ›

To figure out how much to save, take the total amount you want to spend and divide it by the number of months or weeks you have left until you need to make the purchase. If you want to spend $1,000 on Christmas and it's September, you only have about three months to save.

What is the best savings account for a sinking fund? ›

A high-yield savings account, or an HYSA, is a good option for a sinking fund since you'll have access to the money when you need it and earn a good return on your savings.

What is a reasonable sinking fund? ›

A sinking fund can also be set up by private landlords; simply by putting aside a certain amount of the rent received each month. When calculating the amount to be contributed, it is common for landlords to put aside anywhere in the region of five to ten percent of the rental income to allow to be used.

What are the disadvantages of a sinking fund? ›

Sinking funds, however, also have certain drawbacks, such as the following: Slow development – saving for a significant cost might take a while, and if it takes a while to accomplish your savings target, you can become disheartened.

Who pays for sinking funds? ›

The sinking fund is paid into a trust account run by the strata management corporation (SMC). The owner-landlord of the property pays this levy on behalf of each tenant who occupies their unit.

What is the 50 30 20 rule? ›

Those will become part of your budget. The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals. Let's take a closer look at each category.

Who benefits from a sinking fund? ›

Sinking funds are a method for corporations to pay off debt. Setting aside money to pay off debts is a prudent financial decision for companies to manage their obligations when debt comes due. Companies that don't, may struggle to find the capital to make good on their outstanding debt obligations.

Can you withdraw from a sinking fund? ›

On the other hand, with a sinking fund policy, there is no life assured, and the policy will only terminate when the investor withdraws the entire investment or when the investor dies and there is no beneficiary for ownership.

Is a sinking fund risky? ›

A sinking fund is maintained by companies for bond issues, and is money set aside or saved to pay off a debt or bond. Bonds issued with sinking funds are lower risk since they are backed by the collateral in the fund, and therefore carry lower yields.

Where should I keep my sinking funds? ›

You could keep envelopes of money in your safe, but that can still be a little risky. Plus, liquid cash doesn't earn any interest. In many cases, it makes more sense to consider keeping your sinking funds in a high-yield savings account instead. Open a high-yield savings account now to earn more interest as you save.

How long does a sinking fund last? ›

The 10-year rule

This allows the body corporate 10 years to identify, plan and save for these future expenses. As sinking funds are generally reviewed every 5 years, a quantity surveyor will prepare a 15-year plan to cover 5 annual budgets with a 10-year future projection.

What is a healthy sinking fund? ›

A healthy sinking fund eliminates the need for bodies corporate and owner's corporations to borrow funds. A body corporate or owners corporation which carries an ongoing debt is not an attractive proposition for a potential buyer.

What is normal sinking fund? ›

A sinking fund is an account containing money set aside to pay off a debt or bond. Sinking funds may help pay off the debt at maturity or assist in buying back bonds on the open market. Callable bonds with sinking funds may be called back early removing future interest payments from the investor.

What should be a sinking fund? ›

A sinking fund is a fund that includes funds set aside or borrowed to pay off a loan or debt. A business that issues debt will have to pay off the debt in the future, and the sinking fund helps ease the burden of a significant revenue outlay.

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