Blog

What is the difference between a community of owners and a community of neighbours?

Table of Contents:
What is the difference between a community of owners and a community of neighbours?

Are you familiar with the difference between a community of  owners and a community of neighbours? In this article, we will unravel these two common entities in property management and help you understand their distinctions so that you can make informed decisions about managing your property.

What is a Community of Owners in Spain?

Communities of property owners, “Comunidad de propietarios”, are entities formed by the owners of real estate units within a building or residential complex. Essentially, each owner becomes an active member of this community upon acquiring their property.

Within this community environment, decisions are discussed and collectively agreed upon for the benefit of all owners. This democratic process not only ensures the proper preservation of the property but also fosters a sense of shared responsibility and collaboration among neighbours.

What is a Community of Neighbours in Spain?

On the other hand, a community of neighbours, “Comunidad de vecinos”, refers to the group of people living in the same building, not necessarily owners. It includes both the owners of real estate units and the tenants occupying these homes. This community is defined by the diversity of its neighbours who share a common living and social space.

Key Differences between Community of Owners and Community of Neighbours

Rights and Obligations

Community of Owners: Members of a community of property owners enjoy rights to common areas such as recreational spaces or leisure facilities, but they also bear financial responsibilities. These include paying fees for the maintenance of shared facilities like security cameras and video intercoms, ensuring the safety and well-being of all neighbours. Additionally, they have a voice and vote in decisions related to the management and upkeep of the building, actively participating in community meetings.

Community of Neighbours: Conversely, neighbours in a community of neighbours may have limited rights compared to owners. While they have access to common areas like social lounges or gyms, their financial obligations may differ, especially if they are tenants rather than owners. Although they may enjoy certain benefits such as using shared TV antennas, they may not share the same financial responsibilities as owners.

Examples:

  • Community of Owners: Imagine you own an apartment in a residential building. As a member of the community of property owners, you have:
    – The right to use common areas like the garden, pool, or gym.
    – The responsibility to financially contribute to maintaining these facilities by paying monthly fees that cover cleaning, repairs, and security expenses, including the installation of security cameras and video intercoms to protect all neighbours.
  • Community of Neighbours: Now, suppose you are a tenant living in the same building. While you have the right to enjoy common areas like meeting rooms or social lounges, your financial obligations may be different. Unlike owners, you may not be directly involved in paying maintenance fees, as this responsibility falls on the owner of the apartment you are renting. However, you still benefit from the services and amenities provided by the community of property owners.

Meetings and Decisions

Community of Owners: Regular meetings, known as owners’ meetings, are a fundamental part of life in a community of property owners. Here, important decisions regarding maintenance, improvements, and building security are discussed and made. Decisions are reached by majority vote after reaching a set quorum, and each owner has the opportunity to express their opinion and vote accordingly.

Community of Neighbours: In a community of neighbours, while they may be invited to informational or consultative meetings, their decision-making power is usually limited compared to property owners. Although they can voice concerns and suggestions, final decisions often rest with the property owners or the community’s board.

Examples:

  • Community of Owners: In an owners’ meeting, important issues related to building management are discussed. For example, votes may be taken on hiring a new cleaning service or implementing additional security measures such as installing surveillance cameras. Each owner has the opportunity to voice their opinion and vote on these decisions, ensuring the interests of all neighbours are considered.
  • Community of Neighbours: As a tenant, you may be invited to participate in informational or consultative meetings, but you may not have the same decision-making power as property owners. For instance, if the renovation of common areas is being discussed, you can express your preferences, but the final decision usually lies with the building’s owners.

Legal Aspect

Community of Owners: A community of property owners is subject to specific legal regulations that establish their rights and obligations. In many countries, it is mandatory for these communities to be registered and have internal regulations detailing rules related to the use and maintenance of common areas, including the installation of collective TV antennas and security systems.

Community of Neighbours: In contrast, a community of neighbours does not have a specific legal status like a community of property owners. Instead, it refers to a group of people living in the same place, without necessarily having a formal legal structure. While there may be rules of coexistence, these are not necessarily backed by specific legal regulations.

Examples:

Community of Owners: A community of property owners must adhere to a series of laws and regulations that establish their rights and obligations. For instance, in many countries, it is mandatory for property communities to be registered with the relevant authorities and have internal regulations outlining rules of coexistence and procedures for making important decisions, such as installing collective TV antennas or hiring security services.

Community of Neighbours: On the other hand, a community of neighbours does not have a specific legal status and may lack a formal governance structure. While there may be coexistence rules established by property owners or the building administration, these are not always backed by specific legal regulations and can vary from place to place.

Property and Community of Owners’ management to prevent conflicts

Understanding the differences between a community of owners and a community of neighbours is essential for effective property management. In this regard, having a professional property management service can be of great assistance. Our property administration team in Estepona, offers comprehensive management in administrative, economic, legal, and operational areas, ensuring efficient and transparent management of your neighbour and property communities.

Feel free to contact us for more information and enjoy the benefits of working with professionals in the field!

Validated by
Antonio Ríos Espinosa
Director en Ríos Espinosa

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related topics that might interest you

How to Resolve Noise Issues in Homeowner’s Associations in Spain
How to Manage Overdue Fees in Homeowners’ Associations in Spain
Technical Guide to Accurately Calculating and Managing Payroll in Spain

Ponte en contacto con nosotros

Get in touch with us