Timeshare maintenance fees are billed annually for most owners, and these invoices typically arrive between October and November—often referred to as “Timeshare Maintenance Fee Season.” The majority of owners must pay their timeshare maintenance fee by January 1st. However, billing schedules can vary.
Owners with biennial usage (odd or even years) may only receive invoices every other year, while point-based programs often offer monthly, quarterly, or biannual payment options. Instead of one large bill, the cost is divided into smaller installments throughout the year.
Understanding how these fees work—and how they continue to increase—is essential for planning ahead. Below, we break down how timeshare maintenance fees function, what they cost in 2025, and why so many owners are focusing on getting out of timeshare maintenance fees through legitimate exit solutions.
What Are Timeshare Maintenance Fees?
Timeshare maintenance fees are annual payments that almost every owner is contractually obligated to pay—whether they use their timeshare or not.
These fees are designed to cover the resort’s operating costs, including:
Property upkeep and housekeeping
Utilities and landscaping
Insurance and taxes
Club dues and management salaries
ARDA donations (a small industry-wide contribution, often automatically added)
While these costs seem routine, owners rarely realize how quickly they add up.
Why Do Point-Based Owners Pay Different Amounts?
Most timeshare developers have moved away from traditional fixed or floating week deeds. Instead, they sell points-based contracts tied to membership status levels.
The higher your status, the lower your per-point fee may be—but that doesn’t mean you’re paying less overall. Higher-status members usually own more points, which means larger annual maintenance fee bills.
Below is a chart showing typical timeshare ownership status levels across major developers.
| Developer | Status Levels |
|---|---|
| Capital Vacations | Preferred, Silver, Gold, Platinum |
| Bluegreen Vacations | Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond |
| Diamond Resorts International | Standard, Silver, Gold, Platinum |
| Hilton Grand Vacations | Member, Preferred, Preferred+, Elite, Elite+, Centum |
| Club Wyndham | Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Founders |
| Marriott Vacation Club | Owner, Select, Executive, Presidential, Chairman’s Club |
These tiers often influence how much you’ll pay in annual timeshare fees. For example, a Platinum or Chairman’s Club member may have access to luxury resort locations—but their maintenance fees can easily exceed $10,000 per year.
What Is the Average Maintenance Fees Cost in 2025?
According to a 2025 study conducted by Ernst & Young LLP, the average timeshare maintenance fee rose to $1,480 per weekly interval equivalent—a record high for the industry.
Timeshare Maintenance Fee Industry Trend (2020–2024)
| Year | Average Maintenance Fee | Year-Over-Year % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $1,090 | — |
| 2021 | $1,120 | 3% |
| 2022 | $1,170 | 4% |
| 2023 | $1,260 | 8% |
| 2024 | $1,480 | 17% |
| 5-Year Increase | — | 36% |
The data shows a 36% increase in average timeshare maintenance fees over five years. Rising property costs, resort renovations, and inflation have all contributed to this spike.
For many families, the average timeshare maintenance fee is no longer affordable.
How Often Do Timeshare Maintenance Fees Increase?
Timeshare maintenance fees increase every year, typically between 5% and 10%, depending on the resort and ownership type.
Over a decade, that means a $1,500 annual fee in 2025 could easily reach $3,000 or more by 2035. Many owners don’t anticipate this level of compounding cost when they sign their contract.
Why Do These Increases Happen?
Developers justify these hikes with reasons like:
Rising insurance and utility costs
Property renovations and replacements
Staffing and management expenses
Association reserves for future projects
Unfortunately, owners have little to no control over these decisions. The fees are mandatory, and failure to pay may result in collection actions, credit damage, foreclosure and legal action.
What’s the Difference Between Timeshare Maintenance Fees and Special Assessments?
This is one of the most misunderstood topics among owners. Maintenance fees cover routine annual expenses.
Special assessments, however, are extra charges billed when a resort faces unexpected costs such as hurricane repairs, roof replacements, or a high number of delinquent accounts.
Case Study: Real-World Special Assessment Impact
In one documented case from a client 2025 case study, an owner of a Hawaii beachfront resort received a special assessment of $2,400 —on top of their $2,944 maintenance fee. This resulted in a total mandatory payment of $5,344 in timeshare fees for 2025. The explanation given was vague at best, “HOTEL INCOME SUPPLEMENTAL ASSESSMENT.”
Another owner in Las Vegas faced a $969 assessment for structural renovations that were never mentioned during their purchase presentation. This brought their total timeshare fee payments to $3,410.66 for 2025 on a property ownership that holds no equity for the timeshare owner.
These unexpected costs have pushed many families to explore getting out of timeshare maintenance fees entirely.
Can You Refuse to Pay a Timeshare Maintenance Fee Bill?
In most cases, no—you will find that you cannot refuse to pay your timeshare maintenance fee without consequences.
U.S.-based timeshare contracts nearly always include binding obligations that require annual payments, regardless of usage. The only exceptions may exist for international right-to-use contracts, such as some Mexican timeshares, where payment is optional based on usage.
If you stop paying without legally terminating ownership, you could face:
Damage to your credit report
Collection agency calls
Legal action or foreclosure
Loss of access to your ownership rights
That’s why experts recommend exploring legal and legitimate ways of getting out of timeshare maintenance fees, rather than ignoring them.
Can You Rent Your Timeshare to Pay Maintenance Fees?
Technically, some owners try to rent out their timeshares to offset the cost of annual maintenance. However, most find that rental income doesn’t cover the full cost—especially for lower-tier point-based owners.
Case Study: TSRP Point-Based Rental Quote vs. Actual 2025 Maintenance Fees
| Resort | Total Points | Maintenance Fee | Rental Payment | Profit / Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond Resorts US Collection | 5,500 | $1,718.90 | $440.00 | –$1,278.90 |
| Bluegreen Vacations | 8,000 | $982.80 | $332.00 | –$650.80 |
| Hilton Grand Vacations | 9,280 | $2,153.42 | $1,020.80 | –$1,132.62 |
As shown above, owners usually experience a loss even after renting. It’s rare to find renters willing to pay enough to break even, unless you own at a top-tier status level or high-demand property.
Is Renting Your Timeshare Allowed by the Developer?
Another critical point—most developers prohibit commercial renting.
You may rent to friends or family, but advertising on rental platforms like Airbnb or RedWeek could result in account suspension or canceled reservations.
So, renting out your timeshare to cover maintenance fees is not a sustainable long-term solution.
How Are Owners Getting Out of Timeshare Maintenance Fees?
At Vacation Ownership Consultants (VOC), we’ve spent over 11 years helping owners exit their timeshares and stop the burden of being obligated to rising maintenance fees.
Our team is BBB-accredited and was nominated for the Torch Awards for Ethics in 2024. We understand that every owner’s circumstances may not be the same. We take the time to understand each owner’s story and provide them with our experience and reliable solutions.
How the Process Works
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Eligibility Review – We start with a no-cost consultation to review your ownership documents.
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Strategy Selection – Based on your situation, we tailor a reliable exit solution.
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Execution – Our partners that work in conjunction with our services will assist, advise and provide the final release paperwork.
The cost of service depends on:
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Resort brand
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Ownership type
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Number of contracts
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Scope of service
Each client receives a flat-rate quote after the consultation—no recurring or open-ended billing.
If you’re exploring getting out of timeshare maintenance fees, complete the eligibility form below to schedule a no-cost consultation with our team.
Facing Another Maintenance Fee Bill?
Owning a timeshare once symbolized vacation freedom. But with rising maintenance fees, many families feel more trapped than ever.
Whether you’re facing another January 1st bill, a special assessment, or just can’t use your ownership anymore—help is available.
At Vacation Ownership Consultants, we’ve built a tried-and-true track record of attorney-based exits since 2014. Contact us today to discuss your options for getting out of timeshare maintenance fees.
Frequently Asked Questions About Timeshare Maintenance Fees
What is a timeshare maintenance fee?
A timeshare maintenance fee is a required annual payment that owners must pay to cover the resort’s operating costs. This includes property upkeep, utilities, taxes, insurance, and management expenses. These fees are mandatory—even if you don’t use your timeshare.
Why do timeshare maintenance fees keep increasing every year?
Timeshare maintenance fees typically increase 5% to 10% annually due to rising costs like insurance, labor, utilities, and property renovations. Over time, these increases compound, which is why many owners begin exploring getting out of timeshare maintenance fees altogether.
How much are average timeshare fees in 2025?
In 2025, the average timeshare maintenance fee is $1,480 per year, but many owners pay significantly more depending on their ownership level and resort brand. Higher-tier memberships or point-based systems can push annual timeshare fees into the thousands.
Do I have to pay timeshare maintenance fees if I don’t use my timeshare?
Yes. Timeshare maintenance fees are contractually required, regardless of whether you use your ownership. This is one of the main reasons owners look into getting out of timeshare maintenance fees, since the cost continues even without usage.
What happens if I stop paying my timeshare maintenance fee?
If you stop paying your timeshare maintenance fee without legally exiting ownership, you could face:
Damage to your credit
Collection agency activity
Foreclosure or legal action
That’s why it’s important to pursue legitimate options for getting out of timeshare maintenance fees instead of simply walking away.
What’s the difference between timeshare maintenance fees and special assessments?
Timeshare maintenance fees cover routine annual costs, while special assessments are unexpected charges for things like repairs, renovations, or financial shortfalls. These additional timeshare fees can significantly increase your total yearly cost.
Can I rent out my timeshare to cover maintenance fees?
Some owners try renting to offset their timeshare maintenance fee, but in most cases, rental income does not fully cover the cost. Additionally, many resorts restrict or prohibit public rentals, making this an unreliable long-term solution.
Why are so many owners trying to get out of timeshare maintenance fees?
Many owners are trying to get out of timeshare maintenance fees because:
Costs increase every year
Fees must be paid whether the timeshare is used or not
Special assessments add unexpected expenses
The ownership typically has no resale value
These factors make timeshares feel more like a financial burden than a benefit.
Is getting out of timeshare maintenance fees possible?
Yes, getting out of timeshare maintenance fees is possible, but it requires legally ending your ownership. Common options include:
Resort deedback or surrender programs
Ownership transfer (if accepted by the resort)
Working with a legitimate timeshare exit company
The right solution depends on your specific contract and situation.
Are there legitimate companies that help with timeshare exit?
Yes, there are legitimate timeshare exit companies that help owners get out of timeshare maintenance fees using structured, professional solutions.
To find a reputable company:
Verify they have 10+ years in business through state filings
Check reviews on Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, Google, BestCompany.com, and Yelp
Avoid companies that promise too good to be true guarantees as these are often marketing gimmicks relied on by predatory companies
Can I refuse to pay timeshare fees and just walk away?
No, simply refusing to pay timeshare fees does not end your obligation. Without a legal exit, you remain responsible for the debt and could face serious financial consequences. A proper exit strategy is the safest way to stop paying.
What is the first step to getting out of timeshare maintenance fees?
The first step is to:
Review your ownership contract
Contact your resort about surrender options
Explore legitimate exit solutions if needed
Taking action early can help you avoid paying more in long-term timeshare maintenance fees.
