For most of us, there seems to be a considerable amount of confusion when it comes to the non-occupancy charges meaning. Essentially, non-occupancy charges are costs levied by cooperative housing societies on members or flat owners who do not live on their premises. Ergo, the flat or premises are not occupied by the rightful owner. As far as the question of who pays non-occupancy charges is concerned, it is usually levied on members who are not residing in their premises because their flat is occupied by non-family members or is rented out.