Property Ownership in Spain
Community Regulations
Having purchased a property in Spain, you will most likely have become a member of a community of co-owners with shared or common interests.
Communities exist for the majority of properties in Spain, even for clusters of detached villas where the communal pool or mailboxes are the only common interests. Under the Spanish Law of Horizontal Properties (Ley de Propiedad Horizontal), it states that any cluster of attached houses or building of apartments, will have a legal body to control and administer the management of the community.
Community Administrators
The community will be managed by an appointed administrator (required by Law) and the elected President. Their role will be to ensure the smooth running of the community and its shared elements such as maintenance of the swimming pool, upkeep of communal grounds, maintenance of any lifts and cleaning of common areas such as hallways and landings in apartment blocks.
In addition, they will ensure adherence to decisions made at Annual General Meetings over issues such as the colour of sun blinds, location and provision of satellite dishes and television aerials and any rules relating to swimming pools and communal grounds. You have a right to attend these meetings and vote on issues you consider important.
The other important aspect of the community administrators is to ensure all contributions are up to date. The amount you pay will be a percentage of the agreed community budget, based on the size of your property and the administrators do have the right to put a charge on your property, if you do not keep up to date with your payments.
Local Authorities
In most Spanish towns you will normally find two important buildings. One is the town church and the other is the town hall or Ayuntamiento. From time to time you will probably need to visit the town hall, particularly if you choose to live permanently in Spain. The town hall will deal with many local matters including building permissions, local taxes for your property and your registration as an inhabitant of the town on the Padron.
The Padron
Although you don't need to register on the Padron, it does bring advantages to both you as a property owner and for the town in general. Inclusion on the Padron is necessary if you wish to purchase a car in Spain or sign on with the local health centre. It will also give you the right to vote if you are resident.
And for the town itself, it will help them increase the amount of funding available from central government for the provision of services such as policing, schools. Funding is based on an estimate of the local population determined by the number of people registered on the Padron, more people equals more money equals better services.
Signing on the Padron is straightforward. You simply go to the town hall with your passport (or residents card), your property deeds (or temporary copia simple), your original NIE notification and an original utilities bill (normally electricity or water). The town hall staff who you will normally find very helpful, will then help you.
Payment Of Bills
Just like in England, you'll have to pay your bills. The Direct Debit system in Spain is as good as in England and it is strongly recommended that you use it to pay all bills. All you will then need to do is ensure sufficient funds are available to meet the payments.
For most properties, you will receive an electricity bill (every two months) and a water bill (every three months). Telephone bills are paid monthly. Your community charge will normally be collected monthly from your account. Your Lawyer can assist with arranging Direct Debits for payment of any taxes and municipal payments related to the property.
