Timeshare Maintenance Fees

Timeshare Maintenance Fees: Everything You Need to Know

In 2026, the average timeshare maintenance fee has climbed to approximately $1,610, following a historic 17.5% industry-wide surge in 2024. These mandatory annual payments, required by resorts to cover operating costs, landscaping, and staffing, typically increase by 5% to 10% every year, significantly outstripping the national inflation rate.

For many owners at major hospitality brands like Marriott Vacation Club, Hilton Grand Vacations, and Club Wyndham, the initial dream of a guaranteed vacation has shifted into a mounting financial burden. As bill season arrives each year, owners are often shocked to find that their costs have risen faster than their ability to use the property.

What Are Timeshare Maintenance Fees?

Maintenance fees are the primary revenue stream for a resort’s Homeowners Association (HOA) or management company. According to recent ARDA (American Resort Development Association) data, these fees now account for roughly 83% of all timeshare operating revenue. Unlike a hotel stay, where you pay only for the time you use, timeshare maintenance fees are legally binding, recurring obligations tied to your timeshare ownership contract.

These fees are distributed across several critical areas:

• Resort Operating Costs: This includes the massive payroll for housekeeping, front desk, and security staff.
• HOA / Resort Management: Professional management fees, property insurance (which has spiked in coastal areas such as Hawaii), and administrative andlegal costs.
• Property Upkeep: Landscaping, pool maintenance, and general “wear and tear” repairs.
• Capital Reserves: Funds set aside for long-term projects like roof replacements or furniture overhauls at luxury and beachfront resorts.

True Cost: Timeshare Maintenance Fee Cost Analysis

While the average fee is a common benchmark, it rarely tells the full story. If you participate in Point-based timeshare programs, your fee is often calculated based on the number of points you own. High-tier status members (such as Platinum or Presidential levels) may enjoy better views, but they also shoulder the heaviest financial load.

Average Timeshare Maintenance Fee Projections (2020–2026)

Why the Massive 17.5% Spike?

The jump seen in 2024-2025 was a perfect storm for the industry. Many resorts deferred non-essential maintenance during the pandemic. When labor and material costs soared due to global inflation, HOA boards were forced to implement massive hikes to prevent insolvency. Furthermore, as more owners default, the remaining good owners are often forced to cover the shortfall to keep the lights on.

Difference Between Timeshare Maintenance Fees and Special Assessments

A common point of frustration for owners at Bluegreen Vacations or Diamond Resorts International is the sudden appearance of a “Special Assessment” on their bill. It is vital to understand the distinction:

1. Maintenance Fees: Your regular, annual, or sometimes biennial timeshare usage bill. It is predictable in its arrival, if not its amount.
2. Timeshare Special Assessments: These are one-time, mandatory charges for “emergency” or large-scale capital projects not covered by the regular budget.

In 2024, a beachfront resort in Hawaii issued a special assessment of $2,400 per owner to cover catastrophic plumbing failures and seawall reinforcement. This was billed in addition to the standard $2,900 maintenance fee, resulting in a single-year cost of over $5,000 for a one-week interval.

How Often Do Timeshare Maintenance Fees Increase?

In almost all cases, timeshare maintenance fees increase annually. While some contracts might theoretically cap increases at a certain percentage, most include escalation clauses that allow the board to raise fees to meet the actual cost of operations.

Historically, these fees double every 7 to 10 years. An owner who paid $800 in 2015 is likely paying closer to $1,600 today. Because you are a partial owner of the resort, you are effectively a captive audience; you cannot shop around for a cheaper maintenance provider.

Geographic Impact on Fees

Location plays a massive role in how fast your fees climb:

• Las Vegas: High utility and water-usage taxes often drive up operational costs.
• Mexico: Often governed by Right-to-use timeshare contracts (a long-term lease rather than a deed), these properties still require heavy fees, often paid in USD despite local currency fluctuations.
• Florida & Caribbean: Escalating property insurance premiums due to hurricane risks have become the leading driver of fee hikes in the United States.

The Legal Reality: Can You Refuse to Pay a Timeshare Maintenance Fee?

Technically, you can stop paying, but it is a path fraught with financial peril. Refusing to pay timeshare maintenance fees is a breach of contract that triggers a predictable, aggressive response from the developer. If you simply stop paying your timeshare maintenance fee bill, the following timeline typically occurs:

• 30 Days: Late fees (often $50–$100) and high-interest penalties are added.
• 60–90 Days: Your account is sent to timeshare collections. Agencies may call daily and send increasingly threatening letters.
• 90+ Days: The resort may initiate timeshare foreclosure. Even if the timeshare is paid off, the HOA can foreclose on the “lien” created by unpaid maintenance.
• Credit Damage: A foreclosure or collection account can drop your credit score by 100 to 150 points, staying on your report for seven years and affecting your ability to get a mortgage or car loan.

Can You Rent Your Timeshare to Pay Maintenance Fees?

Is renting a timeshare allowed by the developer? Yes, in most cases. However, the math rarely favors the owner.

Most owners find that they have to price their rental so low to compete with Expedia and other owners that they still end up paying $500–$1,000 out of pocket every year.

Legitimate Pathways: How Are Owners Getting Out of Timeshare Maintenance Fees?

If renting or selling isn’t viable, owners look toward timeshare exit solutions. These fall into three primary categories:

1. Direct Developer Surrender: Programs like Club Wyndham’s “Certified Exit” or Marriott’s “Exit” department. These are the cheapest options, but are notoriously difficult to qualify for.
2. Attorney-Based Timeshare Exits: Hiring a law firm to find breaches in the original contract or misrepresentations made during the sales presentation. This is the “gold standard” for a secure exit.
3. Timeshare Exit Consultation: Professional firms that act as intermediaries, guiding you through the legal paperwork and ensuring the “Map of ownership status tiers” is properly closed out.

Stop Your Timeshare Obligations with Resort Victory

At Resort Victory, we have spent over 15 years helping owners navigate the complex and often deceptive world of timeshare ownership. We know that a timeshare maintenance fee bill can feel like a shadow hanging over your retirement. Our team of experts specializes in providing legitimate timeshare exit solutions that prioritize your financial health and credit score. 

We don’t just try to get you out; we utilize a proven process to ensure your timeshare ownership obligations are terminated legally and permanently. If you are tired of the constant fee increases and the threat of timeshare foreclosure, contact us today.