If we look at the definition of a building superintendent (apartment attendant) in the regulation, the person responsible for the maintenance and protection of the main property, minor repairs, upkeep and cleaning of common areas and floors, assisting residents of independent units with errands, ensuring security, operating the heating system, and garden maintenance — as well as similar maintenance services — is referred to as the building superintendent or residential caretaker.
When minimum wage rates are announced each year, many people wonder how the pay of various groups will change. One of these groups is building superintendents. With annually changing rates, the minimum wage figures for this year were announced along with applicable deductions.
With the announcement of the 2016 net and gross minimum wages, the salary level for building superintendents in 2016 became clear.
The Minimum Wage Determination Commission published the 2016 minimum wage in the Official Gazette (No. 29576) on December 31, 2015, bringing it into effect. Accordingly, the net minimum wage for the period between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016 was set at 1,300.00 TL, while the gross minimum wage was set at 1,647.00 TL.
In practice, the net pay of building superintendents differs from other minimum wage workers. The main reason is that building superintendents are considered exempt from income tax. In addition to income tax exemption, they are also exempt from stamp tax, so their salary deductions are lower compared with other workers.
Based on these rules, the salary for building superintendents for the period January 1, 2016 – December 31, 2016 is shown below:
For the first and second periods of 2016, after applying the relevant calculations, the net minimum wage for residential building superintendents is calculated as 1,400.00 TL.
As noted above, the net minimum wage for a single worker in 2016 was 1,300.00 TL. Because building superintendents are exempt from income tax and stamp tax, they receive a net wage of approximately 1,400.00 TL.
The social security premium rate of about 15.5% applies to employers who benefit from the 5-point reduction under Law No. 5510. Employers who cannot benefit from this 5-point reduction are subject to a 20.5% rate. In addition, 100.00 TL of the social security premium is covered by the Treasury.
These are the main parameters that determine building superintendents’ salaries. It is also useful to summarize their responsibilities and working hours. What exactly are the duties of a building superintendent?
Responsibilities of Building Superintendents
The Residential Caretaker Regulation outlines the duties and responsibilities of building superintendents as follows:
- Starting the residential heating on time, adjusting the required temperature, and turning it off in accordance with the manager’s instructions,
- Operating devices such as hydro-pumps and similar equipment, and being responsible for their cleanliness,
- Keeping the common areas and facilities of the main property clean and maintaining fixtures, tools, and equipment in an orderly, serviced, and working condition,
- Not using the assigned dwelling for other purposes, protecting the dwelling, and being responsible for damages caused to the dwelling by the superintendent or a family member,
- Taking security measures for the dwelling in line with the manager’s instructions,
- Carrying out scheduled service tasks, collecting garbage, and maintaining and arranging the garden,
- Following provided training and using personal protective equipment appropriately,
- Performing other duties specified in the employment contract or collective bargaining agreement.
Working Hours of Building Superintendents
Working hours refer to the time the building superintendent or residential caretaker spends on the job.
In general, the working time for building superintendents is equivalent to 45 hours per week. This period can be reduced by contract with the building manager depending on the working arrangement. Additionally, an intensified work schedule may be established provided it does not conflict with Article 63 of the Labor Law. When the caretaker is provided with a dwelling at the workplace, the daily working time can be divided into no more than four parts depending on the working arrangement. Breaks taken during working hours are not counted as part of the 45-hour weekly total, meaning rest periods fall outside the 45-hour calculation.