When you buy a property in Spain, especially in an apartment block or an urbanisation, you will usually need to join the local Community of Owners (Comunidad de Propietarios).
This is a legal group made up of everyone who owns a property in the building or development. It is there to manage and pay for shared areas. That includes things like cleaning, general maintenance, repairs, and communal facilities such as pools, lifts, gardens, gates, and lighting.
Spanish urbanisations: Community fee
As an owner, you must pay a regular community fee. This is usually monthly and is calculated using the community rules, known as the Estatutos. The amount depends on the size and type of your property.
You may also be asked to take part in running the community from time to time. This is done through the Junta de Gobierno, which is the small group that helps make day to day decisions.
It is important to take community fees seriously. If payments are missed, the Community of Owners can take legal action to recover the debt. In short, it is not something that can be ignored.
