Corpus Fund Meaning & Its Role in Housing Societies
A financially healthy housing society needs careful planning not only for day-to-day operations but also for long-term stability. A crucial element in achieving this is the corpus fund—a dedicated reserve that allows societies to handle maintenance, upgrades, and unexpected expenses smoothly, without putting a strain on members. Here, we’ll delve into what a corpus fund is, its purposes, advantages, and how it is calculated within a housing society.
Corpus Fund Meaning
A corpus fund, also called a capital fund, refers to the core money reserved to ensure an organisation or entity can continue to operate and sustain itself in the long run. These funds are not used to achieve specific objectives but are built up through voluntary contributions.
What is a Corpus Fund in Society?
A corpus fund for society serves as a financial reservoir for the upkeep, maintenance, and redevelopment of shared amenities and infrastructure.
The corpus fund’s financial reservoir for the upkeep to manage amenities, common areas, utility bills, maintenance, and cleaning. The developer mainly collects this fund to maintain the amenities and facilities. The developer must hand it over to the managing committee once the committee is formed.
Read Also: Housing Society Bank Accounts
Benefits of Corpus Fund in Housing Society
The benefits of society corpus funds are:
1. Increasing Property Values
The corpus fund for society is mainly used to maintain and upkeep it. Any well-maintained society will attract buyers and tenants.
2. Promotion of Social Cohesion
Societies might use this fund to organize welfare programmes, community events, and social initiatives.
3. Financial Stability
The corpus fund for society can also be used during emergencies or any unforeseen circumstances. Developers can use this fund to maintain financial stability independently without relying on external financial sources.
Read also: Society Fund Utilisation
What is Corpus Fund in Housing Society?
Creating a corpus fund for society is essential for maintaining the shared amenities and infrastructure in a residential community. This fund is created through contributions from property owners, which can be collected in various ways—annually, quarterly, or monthly. It can also be a percentage of the property’s sale price, required from the buyer at the time of purchase. In the case of under-construction projects, developers sometimes attract buyers with schemes that offer maintenance-free periods, delaying the need for immediate contributions to the corpus fund.
Corpus Fund for Society- Uses
The corpus fund for society is used for many purposes:
1. Maintenance and Repairs
The corpus fund for society is used to repair and maintain shared facilities such as elevators, lobbies, swimming pools, gardens, and community halls.
2. Redevelopment of Housing society
The corpus fund for society can help in any expansion or new construction projects within the community, such as building a temple or other facilities. It also provides the necessary capital to initiate the redevelopment of housing society without any external funds or loans.
3. Upgradation of Infrastructure
The corpus fund society amount can be used to install energy-efficient systems, improve security measures and upgrade amenities.
Read Also: Supreme Court Judgement on Apartment Maintenance Charges
What is the Corpus Fund in Redevelopment?
The corpus fund for redevelopment is the financial support given to residents when the redevelopment of housing society begins. It covers temporary costs like renting another home or managing shifting expenses during the construction period.
With the corpus fund for redevelopment, residents can continue living without financial burden when their building is reconstructed. Developers provide the corpus fund for redevelopment as compensation every month, as agreed in the contract, ensuring homeowners are supported with their temporary housing needs until the new building is ready.
Rules and Regulations Governing Corpus Fund in Housing Societies
According to the model bylaws of Maharashtra, a premium ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000 can be charged for the transfer of property rights, applicable once the society is established. Builders calculate the corpus fund based on the square foot, often amounting to over Rs 1 lakh. After the housing society is officially formed, this corpus fund can be transferred to the Sinking Fund. This covers major repairs, reconstruction, structural additions, or redevelopment of housing society.
Many societies choose to collect a substantial corpus fund from each owner, using the generated interest to maintain amenities for years, only charging for additional repairs and replacements. The society’s general body has the authority to set its own rules regarding the amount, investment, and utilisation of the fund. Homeowners seeking clarity on the fund’s specifics can request a copy of the bylaws from the society’s office and review the annual financial report.
How Is Corpus Fund Calculated?
The corpus fund for an apartment is calculated by adding the total financial support a flat owner needs during redevelopment. It mainly includes:
1. Monthly Rent Compensation
Developers pay the market rent for a similar flat in the same locality. Here’s a Formula:
Monthly Corpus Fund for apartment = Market Rent × Redevelopment Duration (months)
2. Shifting Charges
One-time payment for moving out and moving back:
₹50,000–₹1,00,000 per apartment.
3. Hardship Compensation (If Applicable)
Some builders offer an additional ₹50,000–₹2,00,000 to compensate for inconvenience.
4. Extra Area Corpus Fund for Apartment (Optional)
If an extra flat area is offered:
Corpus = Extra Area × Rate per Sq. Ft.
How to Calculate Corpus Fund for an Apartment?
Here’s a quick formula for how to calculate corpus fund for apartment:
Total Corpus Fund for apartment =
(Monthly Rent × No. of Months) + Shifting Charges + Hardship Amount + Extra-Area Compensation
Society Accounting Management by NoBrokerHood
NoBrokerHood gives housing societies an organised and transparent way to handle financial reserves. It streamlines everything from collecting and tracking funds to planning how they will be used through easy-to-read reports and automated accounting. Committees can monitor balances in real time and keep residents informed without any confusion. The platform also supports societies during redevelopment by keeping all payments and records neatly managed. With NoBrokerHood, day-to-day operations become smoother and financial decisions become easier.
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FAQs
Q: How is corpus fund calculated?
A: The society corpus fund is decided by the society based on the property size and planned improvements.
Q: Who decides how the corpus fund is to be spent?
A: The general body of the housing society decides on the use of the corpus fund.
Q: Is the corpus fund refundable if I move out?
A: No, the society corpus fund is not refundable even if you move out but rules may vary from society to society.
Q: Can the corpus fund be used for daily maintenance?
A: No, the corpus funds are used for significant repairs and improvements.
Q: Where can I find information about how the corpus fund is used?
A: You can request a copy of the society’s bylaws and review the annual financial report for detailed information.
A: Corpus fund for apartments is a reserve fund used for major repairs and long-term maintenance; during redevelopment, it can also mean the compensation given by the developer.