Lifts may seem small, but they are closely tied to the travel safety of countless households. Recently, residents of Chengshi Biyuan and Jiangangcheng Dahua Huayuan in Nanning have encountered difficulties related to their elevators. In one case, an older community wishes to install lift surveillance but is stalled by disagreements among homeowners. In the other, a newer community faces sudden elevator malfunctions, leading to disputes between residents and property management over repair responsibilities. These seemingly minor "up-and-down" issues reflect common real-world challenges in residential governance.

The absence of elevator monitoring raises safety concerns for residents. In Building A of Chengshi Biyuan, over 90% of the occupants are tenants, and the elevator is a surveillance blind spot. A tenant, Mr. Lei, remarked, "Installing a camera in the elevator would make us feel more secure." Homeowner Ms. Wang also hopes for the installation of monitoring devices or adjustments to cover the corridors, enhancing daily safety. In response to residents' requests, property management staff explained, "Our role is to maintain existing facilities. Adding elevator cameras requires approval and funding from two-thirds of the homeowners. However, most owners do not reside in the community, and opinions are divided, making it difficult to move forward."

Chengshi Biyuan is over 20 years old. In 2022, as part of an old community renovation project, new elevators were installed. However, since the application followed old standards, surveillance equipment was not included. At that time, the community added cameras at main entrances and building access points. "To ensure safety, we have strengthened access control and increased security patrols. Relocating cameras to corridors would require rewiring, involve privacy concerns for ground-floor residents, and entail significant costs, for which maintenance funds are insufficient," added property staff. Huang Ningzhen, director of the Wuliting Community Committee, has been mediating: "We have communicated with the property management and owners' committee. Once the new committee is formed mid-year, we plan to discuss whether public revenue can subsidize the installation."

The Nanning Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau's property guidance center suggested reviewing the original elevator replacement contract terms. If homeowners wish to install cameras independently, they must follow regulations for voting and self-funding. Alternatively, they can apply through the community's old neighborhood renovation channel.

In contrast, Jiangangcheng Dahua Huayuan, a newer community only three years old, also faced elevator issues. In early March, homeowner Mr. Huang from Building 7, Unit 2, reported, "One of the two elevators has been broken for days. If the other fails, it will be hard on the elderly and children." The elevator halted due to a major component failure. The maintenance company stated that the warranty had expired, and repairs would cost around 20,000 yuan, requiring the use of the residential special maintenance fund. Homeowner Mr. Shao questioned, "We've only lived here three years, and the elevators were installed five years ago. How is the warranty already over? We want repairs, but we need to understand why major parts fail so easily. If this continues, what happens when the maintenance fund is depleted?"

The building manager explained that after the malfunction, the property management immediately contacted the maintenance company and explained the situation in the owners' group, seeking consent for repairs. "We notified the group, but homeowners have not yet signed. Their agreement is necessary to use the fund." The impasse arose over a third-party inspection, as homeowners doubted the maintenance company's assessment. The property management cited financial constraints, while residents were unwilling to pay for an independent inspection. After the matter was reported to the Jinhai Community Committee, a grid worker was dispatched to investigate. Fortunately, on March 10, a meeting involving the community, property management, homeowners, and the maintenance company was held, with technicians addressing concerns directly. Homeowners eventually agreed to use the special maintenance fund, allowing repairs to proceed.

Legally, the use of the residential special maintenance fund requires a two-thirds majority vote by both area and number of homeowners, as per Article 278 of China's Civil Code. For Jiangangcheng Dahua Huayuan, clarifying warranty responsibilities is key. The property management, as the elevator operator, must ensure normal function. Warranty status depends on contract terms, and a qualified inspection report is advisable. If within warranty and due to quality issues, the developer bears costs; otherwise, homeowners typically cover inspection fees. For Chengshi Biyuan, adding surveillance involves common area modifications, also requiring homeowners' approval. According to Article 282, public revenue from common areas, after deducting costs, belongs to homeowners and should prioritize maintenance and safety upgrades. If the maintenance fund is exhausted, public revenue can be used, following similar voting procedures. Additionally, Guangxi's new public revenue management rules, effective January, provide clearer guidelines on sourcing, ownership, and usage.

Guo Jingfeng, a Nanning CPPCC member and researcher at Hualan Group Design Institute, emphasized that low voter turnout, poor inter-department coordination, and slow renovation progress are common in community governance. "The biggest headache is insufficient participation, especially when many owners live elsewhere. Neighborhood committees and owners' committees need to enhance communication through online and offline efforts." To ease the use of maintenance funds, Guo suggested exploring "green channels" for emergency approvals, allowing advance payments with later documentation. He also proposed pooling public revenue into a renovation reserve fund managed jointly by communities and property committees. Funding can be sourced from state grants, public revenue, or resident contributions. Examples like Wuyi Road Community in Jiangnan District and Huatian International Plaza in Xingning District offer valuable lessons.

From surveillance gaps to broken elevators, these issues, though small, impact every household's mobility and peace of mind. While laws exist and residents have needs, bridging the gap requires patience and wisdom in grassroots governance.