HOA and condo obligations

Ongoing duties if you own in a condo or a private development: fees, the reserve fund, the assembly and the bylaws.

Why it matters

The BCS condo law and the recorded bylaws bind every owner.

Who helps

The administrator and the owners' assembly.

Key rules

fees and the reserve fund are set by the assembly, which meets at least yearly; owners in arrears can lose their vote and be sued; bylaws can restrict rentals, pets, renovations and construction hours.

Before you buy, and every year

ask for the reserve-fund balance, the latest budget, any planned special assessments (cuotas extraordinarias), and the master policy's declarations page (step 5.3). A thin reserve plus a walls-out policy means owners pay after a storm.

Common mistakes

• Missing assemblies where special assessments are approved; remodeling without the administrator's sign-off.

Say it in Spanish

• ¿Me comparte la carátula de la póliza del condominio?
  Can I see the master policy's declarations page?
• ¿Cuándo es la próxima asamblea de condóminos y puedo votar por carta poder?
  When is the next owners' assembly, and can I vote by proxy?

Sources

• Congreso de BCS

Confirm the details for your case with your notario or attorney.