What is the ruling on the building owners' association forcing residents to pay the water bill equally, despite the varying number of individuals, and cutting off the water from those who do not comply, and taking equal maintenance fees despite the differing utilization of services?
Forcing residents to pay equal amounts for the water bill despite their varying consumption contradicts justice. Therefore, efforts should be made to install independent meters for each apartment. If this is not possible, the available solution is mutual forgiveness and agreement on sharing the bill. Their action would then be considered a form of mutual contribution based on consolation, as the Ash'aris did. If everyone shares in facilities that require maintenance, the principle is that they should be equal in paying for its cost, with an exemption for anyone who does not benefit from a particular facility from paying its maintenance fee.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 19464
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- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy