Is it illegal for property associations to force merchants downstairs to sign contracts to collect money? Doing business is illegal.

Signing a contract requires both parties' willingness. If it is not expressed out of true meaning, it is an invalid contract.

If a property management service agreement is signed with the property during the period of renting the store, it is the true intention of both parties, and the contents of the agreement do not violate the mandatory provisions of laws and regulations, both parties shall perform their respective obligations in accordance with the agreement. Owners provide property management services to the parties, but if the parties fail to pay property management fees and other related expenses to the property, they shall be liable for breach of contract.

According to Article 579 of the Civil Law of People's Republic of China (PRC), "if one party fails to pay the price, remuneration, rent or interest, or fails to perform other monetary debts, the other party may request it to pay." The plaintiff asked the defendant to pay the property management service fee, collect the domestic garbage cleaning fee and share the electricity fee, which was supported by the court.