You've bought (or are thinking of buying) an electric car, but you live in a flat and park in a shared garage. The first question is always the same: can I install a charger in my space without the community stopping me? The short answer is yes, and the law is on your side.
You have the right to install your charger
Spain's Horizontal Property Law (Ley de Propiedad Horizontal) gives any owner the right to install a charging point for their electric vehicle in their parking space, for private use. And the key point: you don't need the owners' meeting to approve it.
The only requirement is to notify the community in writing (the president or the administrator) before the work starts. It isn't asking permission, it's informing them. The community can't forbid it, though it may propose an alternative route for the cabling if yours causes problems.
Who pays for the installation?
The full cost falls on the owner who will use the charger. The community contributes nothing when it's an individual installation for your space. That's what makes the process so smooth: since it doesn't touch anyone else's pocket, there's no debate.
Where does the electricity come from?
There are several ways to feed the charger, and choosing well is key to keeping charging cheap:
- From your home meter: the most common. A line runs from your consumer unit to the space, and charging is billed on your own electricity, at your tariff. Ideal if your contracted power allows it.
- With a separate meter in the garage: useful if the distance to your home is large or your installation can't take more power.
- From the communal supply (with a meter that records your use): less common and usually needs agreement with the community.
An electrician assesses the best option based on how your building is set up and what contracted power you have.
Thinking ahead: pre-installation
If other neighbours in your building intend to switch to electric cars, the smart move is to leave a main cable route running through the garage. That way each new charger only has to "tap into" that line without fresh building work.
When there are several charging points, a load management system is installed to share the available power among the connected cars. This avoids overloading the building's installation even if several charge at once. It's work that fits well with our services for apartment buildings.
The process, step by step
- 1. Notify the community in writing of your intention to install the charging point.
- 2. A licensed electrician visits the garage and studies the route, the power and the type of charger.
- 3. The installation is carried out: line, protective devices and charging point.
- 4. The installation is registered and, if needed, the contracted power is adjusted.
For a sense of prices and the factors involved, our guide on EV charger installation cost will help.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need the community's permission to install a charger?
No. The Horizontal Property Law lets you install a charging point in your space for private use without a vote at the owners' meeting. You only have to notify the community in writing before you start.
Who pays for the charger installation?
The cost is borne by the owner who installs and uses the charging point. The community pays nothing when it's an individual installation for your space.
Where does the charger's electricity come from?
Most commonly it connects to your own meter, so charging is billed on your electricity. It can also run from a separate meter. An electrician assesses the best option.
What if several neighbours want a charger?
It's best to leave a main cable route through the garage. With a load management system, several points share the available power without overloading the installation.
How much does it cost to install a charger in a community garage?
It depends mainly on the distance between your meter and the space, and whether cabling work is needed. For a simple case it typically starts around €800-1,500. Best to get a quote after a site visit.
Want your charger in the garage?
At VLR Instalaciones we install charging points in communal garages across Málaga province, with all the paperwork in order. We visit your space, advise you on the best option and give you a fixed quote with no obligation.