Comunidad de Propietarios in Spain. Everything you need to know about homeowners' associations as a foreign owner

As in Poland, property management in Spain is handled by a residents' association. How does the Comunidad de Propietarios work and what are the benefits of membership? Find out what every foreign owner should know.

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Comunidad de Propietarios, or the Spanish housing community, takes care of the appearance of the space and the security of the building. As in Poland, on the Iberian Peninsula, a fee must be paid, which the organisation uses for repairs, maintenance and upkeep, not only of the building, but also of the surrounding area, keeping it clean and in good condition. This is a convenient solution, thanks to which professionals take care of your property throughout the year.

What is a Comunidad de Propietarios? It is the Spanish equivalent of a housing community, also referred to as a Community of Owners. It is an institution that acts as a guardian of value and exclusive property standards, operating on a large scale in the premium segment.

In practice, the Comunidad de Propietarios provides comprehensive care for housing estates and residential buildings. Its main objective is the professional management of common areas such as swimming pools, gardens, spa areas and sports facilities. And that's not all, because the Comunidad de Propietarios is also responsible for the condition of:

• staircases,
• corridors,
• lifts,
• the roof and façade of the building,
• car parks and garages,
• green areas,
• security systems, e.g. gates or CCTV.

A premium housing community is a guarantee of peace of mind for foreign investors, especially those who spend most of the year outside Spain. The owner does not have to worry about anything, as the property is under constant supervision by professionals and, as a result, is well maintained and secure.

Membership in the Comunidad de Propietarios brings many benefits. This is particularly true for properties with premium infrastructure, including luxury swimming pools, a gym, tennis or paddle courts, and concierge services, which are included in the monthly fee (cuota) in exclusive residential communities. The Comunidad de Propietarios manages these facilities and takes care of their maintenance.

But that's not all, because the Spanish residential community also takes care of the security of luxury propertyowners. These include gated and monitored estates with illuminated grounds and 24-hour security, which provide their residents with privacy and comfort.

In addition to issues related to amenities and security, the Comunidad de Propietarios is also responsible for the architectural consistency and aesthetics of the estate or complex. It not only takes care of the common areas, but also plans and supervises renovation works and ensures compliance with the community's rules and regulations. This, in turn, protects the property and increases the market value of premium investments.

The Community of Owners is chaired by the President (El Presidente), who serves a one-year term and is the most important person in the housing community. He is the representative of all owners. His duties include convening meetings, ensuring that resolutions are implemented and supervising the Administrator (El Administrador de Fincas). This may be a person or a company that deals with day-to-day management, finances and maintenance. In addition to them, the Comunidad de Propietarios also has a Secretary (El Secretario).

An important event for the Comunidad de Propietarios is the Junta General Ordinaria, or annual meeting, during which the owners:

• approve the budget,
• plan investments,
• elect the President,
• and discuss current issues.

Importantly, owners can vote remotely or by proxy, e.g. a representative of a real estate agency operating in Spain.

But that's not all. The operation of the Comunidad de Propietarios involves mandatory community fees, or cuotas. This is a direct investment in maintaining the highest standard of living in premium properties, covering the costs of staff, renovations, maintenance of green areas and common areas, and security. Part of the fees goes to the reserve fund (fondo de reserva), which, according to Spanish law, amounts to a minimum of 10% of the annual budget of a given housing community.

The main rights of owners belonging to the Comunidad de Propietarios are the use of all facilities, voting at meetings and access to the finances of the housing community, which guarantees full transparency. In addition, members can submit their own proposals and ideas and, if necessary, appeal against a resolution in court.

However, in addition to their rights, property owners in Spain also have obligations. These include, above all, paying all fees on time, respecting the common areas and complying with the rules and regulations in force in the estate. The housing community may also require the owner to maintain their property in good technical condition.

When choosing a property in Spain, it is not just the location, size or standard of finish that matters. Equally important is the residents' association that oversees a given housing estate or apartment complex – after all, when you finalise the transaction, you become a member of the Comunidad de Propietarios.

In Spain, there are large complexes offering a rich social life and amenities such as swimming pools, sports fields and gyms. Due to their size and modern common areas, the monthly fees are higher. The opposite is a small residential community, which will be appreciated by those seeking privacy.

It is a good idea to use the services of a real estate agency, which will thoroughly verify the legal and financial status of a given community. This will ensure that your interests are protected and that the Comunidad de Propietarios does not have any debts, for example, which you may be obliged to pay off in the future. The agency will also check renovation plans, regulations and any legal disputes.

Read also: Comparison of buying property from a developer and on the secondary market in Spain – pros and cons

You now know what a Comunidad de Propietarios is, how a Spanish housing community works and what benefits membership brings. If you want to join the group of premium property owners on the Iberian Peninsula, check out the current offer of the Polish agency Elite World Estates. You will find luxury apartments and houses for sale on the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca.

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Please enter your contact details below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Let us narrow down the search among the properties available through us, by contacting us and finding the best options for you. We are here to help you! Please enter your contact details below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Let us narrow down the search among the properties available through us, by contacting us and finding the best options for you. We are here to help you!
Please enter your contact details below and we will contact you as soon as possible.