Everyone who has a place in a community garage knows that these spaces are governed by certain rules of coexistence. Community garages are not private areas for the exclusive use of one person and common sense must be used when using them. Many are unaware of what this type of plaza is in itself, and we intend to clarify some details.
Here we will try to explain what is a community garagehow it should be used, the costs it causes and the main problems that can be had with a garage of this type.
What is a community garage?
The community garage is the space in a community area, for the exclusive use of the members of that community, where each owner is assigned a parking space.. The space in the garage is for the exclusive use of the owner, plus the place where it is located, which is the garage itself, is not.
This includes its facilities and the services that can be provided in a community garage, so its use must be shared with the rest of the owners. What are the walls, the pillars or the ceiling that are near or within the perimeter of the garage, are for shared use with the rest of the owners.
Is the use of a Community Garage regulated by law?
In Spain, the Law establishes some rules for the proper use of a community garageboth by the internal regulations of the community of owners where you are, and by the Horizontal Property Law.
In its article 9.1 literal ‘a’ it indicates that it is the responsibility of the owners to respect the common spaces and the community facilities, as well as any other element within the community garage. In the same way, it establishes that the garage space of any owner in the community is private and must be respected.
This means, that it should not be invaded or caused damage, nor should common areas for pedestrians be obstructed, or the free movement of cars. Nor should the areas near your garage be used to store any other type of goods or dishes. The common areas are for collective use and not for personal use.
How should parking spaces be used?
Garage spaces must be given the use for which they are intended, that is, parking a carnot being able under any circumstances to leave other objects as if it were a deposit or storage room.
According to the Horizontal Property Law in its article 17.7, In order to be able to use it as a deposit, approval by a simple majority of the community of owners is required..
Can two cars be parked in the same garage space?
A space in the community garage must not be used to park more than one car unless you have a large plaza and the community statutes do not prohibit it.
Also you must have permission in case you want to park a motorcycle and a car in the same garage space. Taking into account if the municipal license of the garage allows it or if it specifies the maximum number of vehicles that can park in a space.
It is important to consider the type of insurance that the community garage has, if it covers the facilities and spaces by default or if it stipulates a maximum number of cars.
Can a car be parked outside the limits of a garage space?
Regardless of whether an owner’s car is large or small, or whether the driver does not have enough skill to park the car well, this you can never drive over or park on the lines of your garage space.
This will be considered an infraction regardless of whether it invades an area of common use, such as a transit area or that it is an area where it does not bother other users. Even more serious is the offense, if the area of a garage space that does not belong to us is transferred and invaded.
Even in the case of knowing that the neighbor is not there, and even for just a few minutes, a property crime would be committed. Stated explicitly, no car that is parked in a garage space may leave the limits of its space, nor hinder or obstruct the passage of other users.
Invading within the community garage the private parking space of another member of the community, common areas of pedestrian or vehicular passage, may be sanctioned by the community. Every member of the community must agree not to step on the dividing lines with another neighbor, so that they have problems getting out or getting into their car easily..
Can the owner wash his car in his garage?
Cars cannot be washed in a community garage, even when they are in the garage itself. In doing so, other cars can be affected by water splashes, as well as dirty the walls and puddle the floor.
It would be making an improper use of electricity and water resources, which are resources belonging to the community of owners. This fact is an infraction and can be subject to fines by the community of owners for the same reason.
The community of owners and their responsibilities with the community garage
The community of owners must carry out for the adequate maintenance of the facilities, the works that are warranted for its conservation, functionality and security of the area it occupies. They must take care of the services as well as the common facilities, in accordance with the provisions of article 10 of the Horizontal Property Law.
It is highly recommended that this type of facility have a protection plan that offers all owners the necessary guarantees of safety and functionality of the community garage as such.