Administration fee 2026: what owners need to know following the Government's decision

On February 13, 2026, the Council of State temporarily suspended the decree establishing the minimum wage increase for that year. Days later, the National Government issued a new temporary decree confirming that the minimum wage for 2026 would remain at $1,750,905, representing a 23% increase, while a final decision was made.

Although this situation caused some confusion for a few days, the current rate remains the same.

If you live in a residential complex or rent an apartment or house, you're probably wondering how this will affect your homeowners' association fees and what decisions might be made at upcoming meetings.

Here's a clear and simple explanation.

Why is there talk of a 23% increase?

At the beginning of 2026, several buildings and residential complexes adjusted their administration fees based on the increase in the minimum wage (23.78%).

Unlike the rental fee —which is usually linked to the CPI— the administration fee does not depend directly on inflation, but rather on:

• The budget approved by the assembly.
• Projected expenses (security, cleaning, maintenance, services).
• What is established in the horizontal property regulations.

Therefore, many complexes applied the adjustment using the minimum wage increase as a reference.

What does this new ruling imply?

Following the court decision, the National Government issued a new decree and ratified that the minimum wage for 2026 remains unchanged, maintaining the previously established value.

In this context, co-ownerships have several management options:

• Review and, if necessary, adjust the annual budget.
• Maintain the already approved administration fee.
• Convene and adopt extraordinary adjustments if the financial situation requires it.

In any case, the decision must be made in accordance with the decisions of each co-owners' assembly, within the corresponding legal and budgetary framework.

How does this impact owners with rental properties?