Timeshare Maintenance Fees 101: How to Deal With Your Fees

Timeshare Maintenance Fees 101: What They're For and Why You Should Not Stop Paying Them

There are a lot of questions about timeshare maintenance fees. What are they, why do owners have to pay them, why are they so high? In truth, these fees play a major role in the maintenance of your resort. And “maintenance” can entail so many things, like employee wages, training, or even resort renovations. Make sure you know what to expect before buying a timeshare since fees play a big role. And if you’re an owner, make sure you never stop paying them. Learning how to buy a timeshare and managing the associated costs can be easy with the right information.

What Are Timeshare Maintenance Fees?

Resorts are beautiful, luxurious getaways we love to visit year after year. Ever wonder what keeps them just so grand? You guessed it. Part of the upkeep of vacation ownership is divided between all of the owners. Maintenance fees are required dues that owners pay to maintain the resort. They go towards employee wages, upkeep, and renovations.

They’re so important to keep the resort going. Would you want to be an owner at a resort that is dirty, has poor customer service or outdated amenities? We’d hope not! You can think of timeshare maintenance fees as the upkeep of a vacation home, except they are less expensive, and the maintenance is done for you.

How Much Are Maintenance Fees?

Depending on your resort and your unit, fees vary widely. Keep in mind every owner at every resort pays maintenance fees. That means the associated costs are divided among all owners, which means you are actually paying less. Every few years, ARDA releases reports on the timeshare industry, the cost of ownership, and more. According to ARDA’s 2022 State of the Industry Report, the average maintenance fee per interval is $1,120.

Read our blog Timeshare Pros and Cons No One Talks About, to learn more before becoming an owner.

When Are Maintenance Fees Due?

The due date for maintenance fees also varies by developer. The most common billing period for fees is annually, but other resorts may require them to be paid monthly, quarterly or even biannually. When considering becoming an owner, it’s important to know when your fees will be due so you can be prepared and get the most out of your vacation ownership. Generally, fees are due at the beginning of the year or around the time of your use year. Check your contract to see exactly when they are due. Failing to pay your maintenance fees can result in some unpleasant situations as an owner.

What Do They Cover?

Timeshare Maintenance Fees: What Are They For?

Many owners wonder what exactly their maintenance fees go towards. As a few examples, they cover upgrades to the resort and units, emergency funds and more.

Unit Upgrades and Maintenance

Just like owning a car or a house, a timeshare requires maintenance. Every year you have costs associated with caring for your home and automobile. This concept also applies to vacation ownership. Maintenance fees cover the cost of upgrades to your unit, for example: new appliances, new beds, lighting fixture and air conditioning servicing, just to name a few.

Beautification

Not to mention, they also cover the cost of maintaining the grounds of your resort. The trees don’t trim themselves! Additionally, the annual fees you pay make sure your family is safe on vacation, since the resort invests money into making the grounds safe and secure.

New Amenities

You’re also compensating for the on-site amenities that require care during the year. This can include the labor and supplies needed to maintain pools, spas, gyms and parks that are associated with your resort. This also enables the resort to bring you new and improved attractions and on-site amenities year after year.

And, In Case of Emergency

In addition to these factors, maintenance fees are also used during emergency situations. If your resort is affected by inclement weather, it can be repaired using the maintenance fees you’ve already paid. This means when serious weather strikes, owners aren’t asked to pay even more to cover the damages.

Paying these fees is a normal part of owning a timeshare and should be expected when deciding to own your vacations.

What Happens If I Stop Paying My Timeshare Maintenance Fees?

Curious what happens if you just stop paying your annual dues? It’s not recommended. If you stop paying your timeshare maintenance fees, you will likely default on your ownership. This not only hurts the resort, but it hurts you and your credit. Like a home going into foreclosure, the resort takes the ownership back, and it will stay on your credit report for seven years.

This can be a real concern for people that are trying to buy a house, a car or anything that requires a credit check before purchase. Many timeshare cancellation companies will tell you to stop paying your maintenance fees while they work on “getting you out,” however, in the fine print of their contracts, a successful cancellation includes foreclosure.

What If I Can’t Pay Them?

Talk to your resort if you’re ever in a situation where you can’t pay your maintenance fees. They may have options to help you, like an in-house rental program or exit solutions.

If you do not make payments on your maintenance fees, you could hurt your credit. Timeshare contracts outline the necessity of paying maintenance fees when you sign, so it’s important that you do so. Regardless if you use your timeshare or not, your fees need to be paid. For the years you don’t use your timeshare, you have the option of renting it out. If you find you don’t want to use your timeshare at all anymore, you may be able to sell it to a new owner who is looking to become an owner or ad to their existing ownership.

What Happens if You Default on a Timeshare?

If you stop paying your timeshare maintenance fees or mortgage, you will default on your ownership. If you default on your timeshare, it will hurt your credit score and show on your credit report for seven years. This means that when you try to borrow money during that time period, the default can have a negative impact. You could be denied from receiving a loan on a home, car, or other goods you apply for.

How Can I Stop Paying My Timeshare Maintenance Fees?

Sell Your Timeshare

As we mentioned before, you should never just stop paying your timeshare maintenance fees. You will default on your ownership, and it will stay on your credit report for seven years. If you are done with paying maintenance fees, you can try to sell your timeshare on the resale market. This is one of the most responsible ways to exit your ownership, aside from contacting your resort directly. Timeshares Only has been helping connect owners wishing to sell with prospective buyers for over 25 years. Not to mention, we are a featured reseller for ARDA, so we follow a strict set of regulations that help keep everyone in the industry safe. Give us a call today at 1-800-610-2734. We are happy to answer any questions and help you start the process.

Join The Discussion

20 thoughts on “Timeshare Maintenance Fees 101: How to Deal With Your Fees”

  • Janice Farrar

    We bought our Timeshare in 1999 at Westgate in Orlando, FL. My husband got sick the next year and passed in 2006. I retired in 2014 and can’t afford to pay the maintenance fees. What can I do? Is there any hope?

    Reply
    • Lauren McGee

      Hi Janice! I will have a representative on our team contact you as soon as possible with more information about selling! You can also contact us at 1-800-610-2734 or email info@timesharesonly.com for immediate assistance.

      Reply
  • NORMA JEAN LIPPKE

    Why am I receiving another bill for maintenance and property taxes, when they are part of the payment due in January. I paid all but the voluntary $5.00 on my payment due Jan. 2022. Yet, I have received a bill for another $96.00 for the same items?

    Reply
    • Mia Reid

      Hi Norma, I would recommend reaching out to your developer directly as they will have the best answers and guidance!

      Reply
  • Janis

    Our resorts swimming pool and game area have been closed for over 3 years due to a fire. Are we entitled to a discount because of the out of service immunities?

    Reply
    • Lauren McGee

      Hello Janis!
      We suggest reaching out to your developer directly. That decision would be at the discretion of your resort and timeshare company.
      -Lauren

      Reply
  • Bill Wright

    I have a paid for timeshare, I have not paid my maintenance charges for 2021 and plan not to pay these charges going forward. What action can I expect from my timeshare management. Again, it’s paid for, I am not going to pay anymore maintenance fees.
    Please advise.
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Mia Reid

      Hello Bill, your outstanding bills will likely be sent to a collections company and your timeshare will be foreclosed on. We recommend always paying your maintenance fees so you don’t harm your credit standing. This could prevent you from buying a home in the future or applying for any other financing opportunities. You can rent out your timeshare to go towards the maintenance fee payments every year or contact your HOA/developer if they have any resale company referrals. Some developers such as Wyndham also have in-house exit programs for owners no longer using their timeshares. If you are interested in selling or renting out your ownership, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-610-2734. We are a Featured Reseller for the Coalition for Responsible Exit and hold an A+ Rating with the BBB.

      Reply
  • Lorena Jimenez

    Hello, we had not paid our HOA fees for 2019 and never received notice of foreclosure.
    I recently called and they said our account had been foreclosed and there was nothing we can do to repay those fees. Is this true? Or does it depend on the timeshare company.

    Reply
    • Lauren McGee

      Hello Lorena!
      I’m not fully certain how the policies of your developer work in regard to foreclosure. I suggest contacting ResponsibleExit.com for more information. They are a valuable source of knowledge when it comes to timeshare policies.
      -Lauren

      Reply
  • Randy

    I have a timeshare at the Hyatt Windward resort in Key West. I don’t use it and want to get out from under it. I paid a company called Sell My Timeshare Now $3000 to sell it. It has been a year now , and it hasn’t sold. What should I do ?

    Reply
    • Lauren McGee

      Hello Randy!
      I’m not completely familiar with their business model but I would suggest reaching out to them directly. They may be able to offer advice on how to help your timeshare sell, such as lowering the listing price.
      -Lauren

      Reply
  • Ayesha Muhammad

    Is there a Renton period of foreclosure for maintenance fees. Just received a letter that the foreclosure took place on August 9th. Can I pay the back maintenances fees & get my Timeshare back? 708-227-4695.

    Reply
    • Lauren McGee

      Hello Ayesha!
      I am not 100% certain about that because I am unfamiliar with your timeshare developer’s policies. I would suggest contacting your timeshare resort or developer directly for more information.
      -Lauren

      Reply
  • Donna Durkee

    I have a ten year time share in Mexico after 10 years you no longer have it I got 3 left can I just stop paying maintenance fees on it. No money owed on time share

    Reply
    • Lauren McGee

      Hello Donna!
      I would suggest reaching out to your timeshare developer. They will be able to confirm your contract’s terms to see if you are no longer the owner. If that is the case, then you will not have any maintenance fees to pay. I would not suggest that you stop paying them until you confirm that your name is no longer on the contract.
      -Lauren

      Reply
  • Vickie Taylor

    I have a timesin Gatlin Tennessee it is at Westgate paid for not been in awhile have M.S.and maintenance fees too expensive so can no longer use it.What can I do?Got screwed before from someone who tried to sell it.Legally what should I do?

    Reply
    • Lauren McGee

      Hello Vickie!

      I would recommend reaching out to Westgate directly to see if they have an in-house buyback program. They may be willing to take back your timeshare. If not, Timeshares Only is a trusted resale marketplace backed by ARDA. We are a featured reseller on ResponsibleExit.com and have been helping owners successfully sell and rent their vacation ownerships for over thirty years. If you have any other questions or looking for assistance in selling your timeshare, feel free to email us at hello@timesharesonly.com.

      -Lauren

      Reply
  • Glen

    What if my timeshare is paid off, I don’t owe any money on it And I just decided to stop paying the taxes and let them foreclose on it. Will it still hurt my credit somehow? I’m not sure as to how it could harm my credit if I’m not technically defaulting on a loan or a mortgage.

    Reply
    • Lauren McGee

      Hello Glen!
      I’m not fully certain how the policies of your developer work in regard to foreclosure. I suggest contacting ResponsibleExit.com for more information. They are a valuable source of knowledge when it comes to timeshare policies. If you’re looking to potentially sell your timeshare instead of letting it go into foreclosure, contact us at at hello@timesharesonly.com. We’d love to help you get your unwanted timeshare off your hands.
      -Lauren

      Reply

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