If you are in arrears for several years, you can go to court.

Default on property fees can be brought to court at any time within three years. The property management company can negotiate with the owner in advance and issue a reminder. If the owner fails to pay within a reasonable time after being reminded, the property management company may make a decision to sue the owner, requiring the owner to pay the property fee and bear damages such as liquidated damages. If the property fee is in arrears within 3 years, the defendant can go to court. If the property knows or should know that the property fee is in arrears within 3 years, and negotiation fails, it can bring a lawsuit at any time.

First, in practice, the owner will not immediately file a lawsuit against the owner because of the arrears of property fees. Generally speaking, litigation will be considered after the following steps:

1. If the owner defaults on the property fee, the property will generally be urged in time after it is discovered;

2. If the owner fails to pay again within a reasonable time, the property may notify the owners' committee to assist in collection;

3. If the owner still fails to pay within a reasonable time, the property will consider charging the property fee and claim compensation through litigation.

Second, what are the consequences of being sued for not paying property fees?

The consequence of being sued for not paying property fees is that the owners can't enjoy the corresponding property services. After mediation by the court, the owner is required to pay the overdue fine and liquidated damages for property fees in time. If the owner refuses to perform the mediation judgment after it takes effect, the property company may apply to the court for compulsory execution.

To sum up, it is illegal not to pay the property fee, and the owner may sue at any time and be punished accordingly.

Legal basis:

Article 41 of the Regulations on Property Management

The owner shall pay the property service fee in accordance with the provisions of the property service contract. If the owner and the user of the property agree that the user of the property shall pay the property service fee, the owner shall bear joint and several liability from the agreement. Property that has been completed but has not been sold or handed over to the property buyer shall be paid by the construction unit.

Article 65

In violation of the property service contract, the owners fail to pay the property service fee within the time limit, and the owners' committee shall urge them to pay it within a time limit; If it fails to pay within the time limit, the realty service enterprise may bring a lawsuit to the people's court.