Installing an electric car charging point in a communal garage: what you should check before doing so

Installing an electric vehicle charging point in a homeowners' community often seems like a straightforward formality, but it is worth reviewing several points carefully before requesting quotes or starting the works. The Horizontal Property Act distinguishes between the private installation in an individual garage space and other works that affect common elements. In the case of a charging point for private use, the rule states that **“it will only require prior notification to the community”** and that **the cost of the installation and electricity consumption will be borne in full by the interested party** Law 49/1960 on Horizontal Property.

That does not mean you should improvise. The way it is notified, the route of the cabling, the location of the meter and the relationship with the specific space can help you avoid later issues. In addition, even if the installation is private, in a community it is always useful to leave documentary evidence so there is no doubt about responsibilities, maintenance or possible damage.

1. First check whether your parking space is individual and what it is used for

Before requesting the installation, confirm that the garage space you want to work on is genuinely an individual space and not an element subject to a different arrangement. If the space is not clearly identified in the title deed or in the deed, there may be doubts about the extent of your right of use.

Recommended steps:

1. Review your title deed and the simple registry extract for the property.

2. Check whether the space appears as an appurtenance or as a separate property unit.

3. Confirm whether there is any restriction in the bylaws or in the master deed.

4. Check whether the installation will affect only your space or also common routes.

Practical tip: ask the installer for a sketch showing the planned route of the cable and equipment. It will help you explain the works to the community and prove that the work is limited to what is necessary.

2. Make the prior notification in writing and with clear details

Although the law does not require prior authorisation for a private charging point in an individual space, it does require prior notification to the community. It is advisable for that notification to be clear and sufficient.

Include, at a minimum:

1. Identification of the owner.

2. Identification of the garage space.

3. Basic description of the installation.

4. Location of the charging point and the meter, if there is one.

5. Planned start date.

6. Details of the installer.

If you send the letter by a means that allows receipt to be proven, you will have useful evidence if a disagreement later arises. You can also hand a copy to the managing agent or secretary so that it is included in the community records.

Common mistake: notifying only verbally the chairperson or a neighbour. That is usually insufficient if there is later discussion about whether the community knew about the installation or not.

3. Check which costs you bear and which cannot be charged to the community

The rule is clear: the cost of the installation and the corresponding electricity consumption are the responsibility of the direct interested party. Therefore, you should not pass on to the other owners the costs arising from your private use.

Bear these cautions in mind:

1. Do not mix your charging consumption with the general consumption of the building.

2. If a common circuit or conduit is used, record why it is technically necessary.

3. Make sure the electricity supply arrangement is tied to your private use.

4. Keep invoices, certificates and installation records.

If the installation needs to occupy or run through common areas, it is no longer enough to think only about your parking space. In that case, it is advisable to study whether the works truly fall within a private installation or whether they affect common-use elements and may require an additional review of the community arrangement.

4. What to ask the installer for and what to keep afterwards

A well-documented installation saves you trouble if ownership changes, if you sell the property or if the community asks for clarification later on.

We recommend following these steps:

1. Request an itemised quote.

2. Ask for a technical report or equivalent installation document.

3. Keep the proof of notification to the community.

4. File certificates, invoices and guarantees.

5. Keep photos of the final route and the equipment location.

Remember that the information here is general. If your space has easements, if the garage belongs to a sub-community, or if the installation requires changes to common installations, the review must be carried out on a case-by-case basis.

5. Common mistakes worth avoiding

Some disputes arise from hasty decisions. These are the most common errors:

- Starting the works without notifying the community.

- Assuming that any cabling can pass through common areas without further consideration.

- Not identifying the exact space where the charging point is installed.

- Not keeping proof of the notification.

- Thinking that the cost can be shared among all the neighbours.

If you would like to review in detail the documentation for your home or garage space before taking the step, you can request an indicative valuation and a PDF report at our home valuation in Madrid. If you would prefer to explain your case directly, you can write to us via our contact page.

The online estimate is indicative, does not replace an official valuation, and you can request a visit if you consider it necessary. UBICASA is located at Calle Montesa 29, Madrid, Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 15:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00.