| Comunidad de propietarios is the community of | | | | development consists of many phases, owners of |
| property owners. Properties located in a | | | | completed phases were expected to temporarily |
| development, known as "urbanisations" in Spain, | | | | subsidise the community fees of the uncompleted |
| usually share communal facilities such as gardens and | | | | phases. When investigated the reasons given were |
| services such as those of a maintenance person. All | | | | that the green areas, the pools etc which are |
| new urbanisations are the responsibility of the | | | | intended for the entire use of the development still |
| promoter - builder until they are all completed and | | | | need to be maintained. Basura - Rubbish Collecting |
| sold. | | | | The Town Hall will also make a charge for the |
| The responsibility is then transferred to the | | | | Rubbish collection (Basura) from your property or |
| comunidad de propietarios, which you automatically | | | | development. |
| join when you buy your property in Spain. Legal | | | | This can be charged annually or quarterly depending |
| status is given by Spanish law to this community so | | | | on the Municipality in which you are purchasing the |
| that it can regulate the joint ownership of common | | | | property. This may be included in your community |
| property e.g. gardens, pools etc On completion of | | | | fees it is worthwhile you asking about this. |
| your property, you are notified and invited to attend | | | | Tratamiento de Residuos - Recycling Tax In certain |
| a meeting to formally transfer the responsibility of | | | | municipalities, there is an annual charge for the |
| general upkeep of the collective properties to a | | | | Recycling Tax. This covers the recycling of waste |
| newly formed community of owners. Someone must | | | | from the numerous glass, paper, and battery banks |
| be elected as President and another as Vice | | | | that are distributed throughout the area. This may be |
| President from the group of owners. At this time an | | | | included within the Community fee it is worth finding |
| administrator is also elected. | | | | out. Electricity & Water Most properties have |
| However, it is common practice to use the | | | | electricity and water meters and you will be charged |
| administrator put in place by the developer for the | | | | according to the amount of each consumed. Some |
| first year. The administrator and the committee | | | | communities will only have one meter for the whole |
| members handle the day to-day business of the | | | | development and therefore include the water in the |
| community. They only call meetings when matters | | | | Community Fees. Title Deeds (escritura) The |
| arise. The committee is annually elected. Annual | | | | percentage of the budget that each property pays is |
| meetings are held, during which a budget is approved | | | | determined by the developer and is set out in the |
| by the Owners covering the expenses for the year. | | | | (escritura) The Community fees are normally paid |
| This budget is then divided between owners | | | | quarterly or twice a year. Expenses vary according |
| depending on the percentage contribution for each | | | | to services required and include salaries and social |
| property as set out in the title deeds. | | | | security for those employed by the community |
| The apartment owners tend to pay a higher | | | | (gardeners, pool attendants, hall porters etc), repairs, |
| community fee than the house owners. For example: | | | | electricity for the lighting of common areas, |
| In an urbanisation owners of a two bedroom first | | | | administration fees. |
| floor apartment pay 180 euros per quarter, whereas | | | | Payment of Fees. The payment date is set by the |
| the owners of a three-bed roomed town house pay | | | | members at the Annual General Meeting and every |
| just 55 euros per quarter. The reasoning behind this is | | | | owner must pay their community fees on the agreed |
| that the areas around apartments incur more | | | | date. If any of the members fail to pay the |
| expenses e.g. stairwell cleaning and lighting, lift | | | | community fees, the President or the Administrator |
| maintenance, garage cleaning and maintenance etc. | | | | may claim the debt in the Court of First Instance |
| There are numerous factors to be considered when | | | | from the city, and even have the property sold at |
| dividing up the cost of community fees: | | | | auction to recover unpaid charges. Always ask |
| The number of apartments that share a block. The | | | | questions. This information will enable you to get the |
| more there are to share the cost the lower the rate. | | | | most out of your property. Ensure that you ask |
| The higher you go the more you pay and you may | | | | about the community fees and find out exactly what |
| also be charged more for enjoying a view! The total | | | | is included. Or are there any hidden extras? So |
| number of properties in an urbanisation. The size of a | | | | before you purchase your off-plan property, enquire |
| development (total area). There have been reports in | | | | about the expected community fees and use this |
| the media highlighting unfair cases. When a | | | | article as a tick list. |