In Spain there are countless urbanisations that are made up of individual properties and each has their own community of owners (Comunidad de Proprietarios).
The maintenance of common areas like swimming pools, gardens, stairwells or access roads is paid for by all the homeowners in the development. These fees vary and can be monthly, annual or quarterly depending on the decision of the homeowner associacion.
They can vary a lot
Depending on where you live in Spain, and the type of property that you own, Community Fees can vary a lot. This is something that you should be aware of before purchasing your Spanish property so that you do not end up paying a large amount in the long run.
You can expect to pay Community Fees when you buy a house in Spain, or if you own an apartment within a complex of properties where there are shared facilities such as swimming pools, gyms, sports courts and gardens. The fees are normally collected on a monthly basis and vary considerably between developments.
The fees can be as low as 50 euros a month for a smaller community or as much as several hundred if you own a luxury property in a gated complex. The charges are also affected by the level of services that the community offers to its members.
Another important factor to consider is the Municipal Property Tax (Impuesto Sobre Bienes Inmuebles or IBI) that you will be required to pay on your property each year. This tax will be calculated on the cadastral value of your property and will range from 0.4 to 1.1%.
There are also various other taxes that you may have to pay on your Spanish property, including an annual fee for rubbish collection and a tax on the value of the building itself. These can add up to several thousand euros a year, so it is worth checking them out before making any decisions.
One of the most popular ways that people in Spain rent their properties is through private leasing companies. These can be very cost effective, and it is also a good idea to ensure that the agency you use has an insurance policy that covers you in the event of any accidents occurring on the premises.
The other option is to use a management company for your property, which can save you a considerable amount of money. This is particularly useful if you are going to be away from Spain for some time, and will allow you to have the peace of mind that all of your bills are being taken care of.
They are a legal requirement
Community fees in Spain are a legal requirement and are one of the expenses that you will be asked to pay each year when you buy a property. They cover all the maintenance and upkeep of communal areas such as swimming pools, gardens, stairwells, elevators etc.
They can vary a lot but generally they are around 40 euros a month for average buildings. This will depend on the size of the building, how many owners there are in the building, the facilities that the community offers and other factors.
The fees are paid by all the owners of properties within a development and are used to maintain the communal areas and services in the development such as the pool, gym, concierge service, etc. They can also be used to carry out any necessary repairs or modifications to communal areas that are needed because of safety or other legal requirements such as recladding a facade or installing a ramp at the entrance or fencing around the swimming pool.
Some communities have a reserve fund and these can be used for any necessary repairs to the building. However, this is not usually included in the regular community fees and these will have to be paid in extra payments from the owners of the building.
These fees are a legal obligation and must be paid in full to avoid any further problems. If you fail to make a payment then you could have to sell your property at auction to clear the debt.
It is important to note that these fees are only charged if a majority of owners in the development vote for them. This is why it is essential that you know how much the fees are before buying a property so that you can take them into account when making your decision on whether to buy or not.
If you are unsure as to how much the community fees will be in a particular development then it is best to get in touch with your Spanish agent and they will be able to give you an accurate figure. They will also be able to tell you how often and for what frequency your payment will be due and if it will be monthly, quarterly or even bi-annually.
They are a good idea
Whether you are moving to Spain for the first time or buying your dream home in a luxury development, community fees can be one of the most important costs to factor in. They vary hugely and can have a significant impact on your property purchase price and on the quality of life you enjoy in your new Spanish home.
They can range from a few euros a month in a low-cost apartment block to hundreds of euros a year in a luxury development with state-of-the-art spa and sports facilities, on-site security, and concierge services. In addition to these fees, you should also factor in monthly taxes, utility bills, and mortgage payments.
In Spain, many properties share common areas such as gardens, swimming pools, and access roads with other homes. Owners of these properties must pay community fees to maintain and improve the shared facilities.
These fees are a legal requirement, as per the Horizontal Property Law (Ley de Propiedad Horizontal). In most cases, the expenses incurred for maintaining these shared areas are imposed on all owners of the property regardless of who lives in it.
There are several ways in which you can reduce the amount of community fees that you have to pay. Firstly, you should choose properties that have been built in a sustainable manner and are constructed with energy-efficient materials. Secondly, you should avoid purchasing properties that are older or are in poor condition.
You should also ensure that you look for property management companies that are reputable and who offer high quality service. These companies will ensure that the funds you pay into the community are used correctly and efficiently, and they will also be able to provide you with a comprehensive report each year showing the moneys you have paid into the community and any debtors who have not paid their fees.
If you are unsure about the community fee that you should pay, it is best to ask an expert. They can advise you on the different types of community fees that are available and help you choose one that suits your needs and budget.
They can be a problem
When you buy a property in Spain, you’re also buying into a community of owners. These groups of owners, known as Comunidad de Proprietarios, are responsible for maintaining and regulating the properties in their complexes.
These organisations are usually comprised of hundreds or even thousands of properties and they can be extremely beneficial in some cases. For example, they can be a great way to maintain a high standard of cleanliness for shared spaces and ensure that people behave in the right manner when using facilities.
However, there are some drawbacks to having a community of owners. In particular, you may find that you can’t alter certain parts of your property without the permission of everyone else in the complex or that there are a number of rules relating to the use of communal areas.
In addition, you’ll probably have to pay a lot of money in the form of monthly or quarterly fees. These can vary from a few euros to several hundred.
The amount you end up paying will depend on the size of the complex, the facilities and how much work is being done on the area at any given time. A good idea is to ask your real estate agent or the community president what the latest costs are and how they are being determined.
In the end, the most important thing to remember is that you should never be caught out by a community fee that is too large. If you do fall behind, you could end up losing your property to the community or finding yourself in a legal bind. You should definitely consult a Spanish lawyer if you have any questions about these or other related issues.
