Who Really Gets the Elevator Ad Revenue? 🤔

Strolling through your complex lately, you’ve probably noticed more and more ads inside the elevator car—and you know they’re raking in serious cash. So who’s pocketing that money? Is the property manager hoarding it as “rainy‑day funds,” or do all the homeowners get a slice?

Remember, elevators are a shared amenity, just like hallways and parking lots—they belong to everyone. The management company is just the “caretaker,” handling cleaning and upkeep. Yet some properties sneakily treat ad revenue as their own “operational income.”

According to China’s Property Law, common areas like hallways and elevators are co‑owned by all residents. The Civil Code further states that any income from shared facilities—after covering reasonable costs—must go back to those owners. Let’s look at a few real‑world cases to see how this plays out. 📜

Case Studies: When the Courts Say “Give It Back!”

Heze, Shandong

From 2018, a community collected ¥8,400 in elevator ad fees—but never handed it over to the homeowners’ committee. The court was blunt: “Elevators belong to everyone, so that money goes to everyone!” The property manager had ten days to refund it.

Guangming Daily Report

Between 2015–2019, one complex racked up ¥64,000 in ad revenue. After the owners sued, the court ruled that, after deducting actual costs, the remainder must be returned to the homeowners.

Suining, Jiangsu

When the homeowners’ committee caught the property quietly pocketing ad fees—and hiding the books—the court ordered: deduct only bona fide maintenance costs, then distribute the rest to owners. Plus, make all income and expenses fully transparent.

These rulings make it clear: if a property manager “samples” elevator ad income, that’s outright misappropriation of shared property. 😠

A Fair, Foolproof Distribution Plan 👍

Here’s a straightforward, legally sound way to handle elevator ad revenue:

Hold a Homeowners’ Meeting

Think of it like a PTA meeting: at least one‑third of homeowners must co‑sign to call it. On the agenda, spell out:

Where the ads go

How long they run

Exactly how the revenue gets split

A simple majority vote seals the deal—no vote, no ads.

Cover Legitimate Costs First

Let the property show invoices for sign‑production, installation, and routine maintenance—and deduct those amounts.

Distribute the Rest

Split the leftover revenue according to the homeowners’ vote. For example, 30% to the community repair fund and 70% evenly across each unit—or pour it all into the repair fund if residents agree.

Publish Regular Reports

Quarterly or semi‑annual bulletins (on the community board or via WeChat group) should detail all income, expenses, and remaining balances. Transparency builds trust! 📢

Elevator ad income shouldn’t be a one‑man dance—it’s a chorus that everyone should sing. Imagine using that money to upgrade common areas—like replacing hallway lights with motion‑sensors that save power and boost security, or adding a fountain in the garden to make your stroll home more peaceful.

Here’s another fun idea: include a community‑exclusive promo code in the ad. Homeowners scan it for discounts—and advertisers, property managers, and residents all win. 📱

Let’s make elevator ads a true community benefit, not just another line item on the property manager’s P&L. After all, we all ride that elevator together!