Description:

Renovations in Neighborhood Communities

 

 

A large majority of the buildings were built before the 80s, which means that their construction processes did not have the same quality as those of today.

 

It is for this reason that it is important to act to adapt these common spaces to current demands and that they contribute to maintaining the good condition of the Neighborhood Communities.

 

Regarding the defrayment of the expenses of these reforms, each owner must contribute based on their respective monthly fee, in addition to using the proceeds.

 

 

Types of Frequent Renovations in Neighborhood Communities

 

When we talk about works in neighborhood communities, we can find three types, of which we will expand the information below.

 

 

Urgent Works

Within article 10 of the Horizontal Property Law, the difference is established between the works considered necessary and those that are not. Within these, we find urgent works, which are necessary to maintain the safety and habitability of a building and which, if not carried out, could cause greater damage.

 

An example of this type of urgent work is the detachment of parts of the building, such as balconies or elements of the façade, which could harm people, or the cracking or breaking of pipes. which would cause humidity and water accumulation that could damage the construction structure.

 

Due to their characteristics, these are mandatory works, so they do not require the agreement of the members of the Board of Owners.

 

 

Necessary Works

In this regard, there are several types of works that are necessary to improve the habitability and safety of the building's neighbors, which are also included in article 10 of the Horizontal Property Law.

 

The works considered necessary would be the following:

 

Maintenance, which implies that the owners ensure that all the building's facilities are adequately preserved. Regeneration of the building, adding new floors or modifying its structure. In this case, it would also be mandatory works that would not require agreement between the Board of Owners. Elimination of architectural barriers, facilitating the installation of access ramps or elevators, so that accessibility to the homes is guaranteed for all people in the building. In this case, if there was a person requesting this work, they would have to pay the extra cost if the price was higher than the cost of the 12 monthly payments for the community.

 

Improvement Works

Although there are works that for some residents may be a necessity, if they do not involve the conservation, habitability, safety and accessibility of the building, this will always be an improvement work.

 

These works could be considered as a desire to improve some aspect of the building or to make it more beautiful but, of course, they do not represent a real need.

 

Therefore, this type of works has to be put to a vote and, if it goes ahead, the neighbors would have the right to oppose its payment, as long as they voted no and if the cost exceeded the cost of three months of dues.

 

In this regard, if the work is finally carried out and one or more neighbors do not pay, the community could deny the use and enjoyment of the new elements to said owners.

 

 

 

Necessary Permits for Reforms

Before carrying out any large-scale work, it is necessary for the community of owners to request a construction license from their corresponding Town Hall.

 

A license is not required for cases in which you want to paint, tile, change flooring in common spaces or reform the water, sanitation, heating and electricity installations of each private home.

 

The construction licenses that must be requested can be of two types:

 

Of major works. They are complex jobs, such as the modification or rehabilitation of a façade. They also have to do with modifying the structure of the building, since they alter its safety conditions.

Of minor works. When there is no complexity in its implementation.