Plan a fair special levy
Transformer blown, borehole down or road to fix? Work out what each household pays, with a buffer for late payers, before the WhatsApp arguments start.
- 1 Pick the job and enter the quotes
- 2 Set households and a late-payer buffer
- 3 Share each home's levy and collect it
Itemized Quotation Lines
Enter contractor quotations and DisCo clearance feesIn Nigeria, emergency street levies almost always face 10% to 25% delayed or defaulting landlords. This cushion guarantees the street raises enough to clear the workshop bill on time.
Contributing Households on the Street / Close
Ready-to-Send WhatsApp Notice
*URGENT COMMUNITY LEVY: 300KVA TRANSFORMER OVERHAUL & REWINDING* Dear Landlords & Residents of Victory Estate / Close, Following technical assessment by our certified electrical engineer and DisCo inspection, here is the approved breakdown for our 300kVA Transformer Overhaul & Rewinding: *1. PROJECT COST BREAKDOWN:* • High-voltage coil rewinding & pure copper core refurbishment: ₦2,800,000 • Transformer mineral insulating oil & breakdown test (200L drums): ₦550,000 • Silica gel breather overhaul & bushing gaskets: ₦220,000 • DisCo technical inspection & energization clearance: ₦350,000 • Heavy crane hire & rigging logistics: ₦250,000 --------------------------------- • Sub-total Work Quotation: ₦4,170,000 • Defaulter/Contingency Cushion (15%): ₦625,500 (Prevents project shortfall so repairs are not stalled by delayed payments) • *TOTAL COLLECTION TARGET: ₦4,795,500* *2. APPORTIONMENT PER HOUSEHOLD:* • Total Contributing Homes: 36 • *Levy per Household: ₦133,208* *3. PAYMENT SCHEDULE & MILESTONES:* • Stage 1: Mobilization Deposit (60%): *₦79,925* (Required immediately to purchase copper coils, oil, and begin workshop rewinding.) • Stage 2: Workshop Delivery & DisCo Energization (40%): *₦53,283* (Due upon workshop delivery and official DisCo testing and power restoration.) *4. ACCOUNT DETAILS FOR PAYMENT:* • Bank Details: Zenith Bank - 1012345678 (Estate Association) • Reference: [Your House / Flat Number] Kindly make your payment promptly and send proof of transfer to the Association Treasurer so we can mobilize the team immediately. Signed, Executive Committee, Victory Estate / Close
Ways to cover it without raising the levy
- Use part of the reserve. If you keep a sinking fund, it exists for exactly this.
- Ask landlords to fund the asset. A transformer adds value to their property; tenants can cover the running costs.
- Bring in other income. A telecom mast lease, billboard space or hall hire can pay for a share of it.
- Ask the DisCo for a refund plan. Some DisCos refund community-funded transformers through energy credits; get it in writing.
- Pay in stages. A mobilization deposit now and the rest on delivery makes each payment smaller.
Now collect it, without the WhatsApp chasing
BreeUp sends every household its share with a payment link, shows you who has paid as it happens, and reminds the rest for you.
Worked examples
Here is what the calculator shows for a few common Nigerian estate scenarios, worked out with example numbers.
What is a realistic levy if our 500kVA transformer blew up and we have 48 houses?
- 500kVA rewinding quote: ₦2,800,000
- DisCo testing and logistics: ₦600,000
- 15% Defaulter risk cushion: ₦510,000
- 48 contributing households
Achievable within 7 days. Total project target is ₦3,910,000. Each household contributes ₦81,458 (or ₦48,875 for Stage 1 mobilization).
How should our street handle multi-flat landlords and duplexes fairly?
- Transformer replacement budget: ₦10,500,000
- 12 duplexes (weighted at 1.5x load)
- 24 standard flats (weighted at 1.0x load)
- Total weighted electrical units: 42 units
Fair load apportionment stops landlord disputes. Standard flats pay ₦250,000 each, while duplexes pay ₦375,000 each reflecting higher air conditioning load.
Why do Nigerian DisCos expect estates and streets to fund transformer repairs themselves?
- Nigerian electricity distribution reality
- DisCo backorders average 3 to 9 months
- Communal landlord/resident contributions
- NERC Customer Protection Regulations
While NERC regulations state DisCos own the distribution network, public replacement queues take months. Rather than stay in darkness, communities raise communal levies and demand written DisCo clearance.
Why is a 15% to 20% defaulter cushion buffer essential?
- Total repair quote: ₦4,000,000
- Typical delayed payment rate: 10% to 25%
- Zero buffer risk: ₦600,000 shortfall
- Result: Transformer stuck at workshop
Without a contingency cushion, 4 to 8 delayed payments prevent your street from paying the workshop balance. A 15% buffer ensures power is restored on schedule while late payers repay the street reserve.