How do common recreational areas in residential buildings work?

By moving into a community of neighbors, we are also agreeing to share the common areas of the building, that is, those areas that jointly belong to all the owners and which all neighbors can access, whether they are owners or tenants. Among these spaces designated for various uses, there are the common leisure areas: gardens, paddle tennis courts, basketball courts, swimming pools, solariums, party rooms, playgrounds, or terraces. The options are numerous and increasingly common and in demand, as these common leisure areas in residential buildings offer the option of having an area for enjoyment and relaxation, in your own home.

The use of these areas becomes particularly important with the arrival of good weather, but as they are shared spaces, they can also become a source of problems and confrontations among neighbors. Therefore, if you are planning to celebrate your children's birthday party in the community garden or invite some friends to the pool, there are a few things you should know beforehand.

How are the community's common leisure areas managed?

There is a law that regulates the use and maintenance of all common areas of a dwelling, it is the Horizontal Property Law, a set of rules, which can vary in each autonomous community and that, for 61 years, has ordered everything related to flats, premises or common areas within the communities of property owners. Essentially, this law indicates that neighbors may use the common spaces as long as it does not harm the rest of the community and establishes the prohibition of carrying out annoying activities, both in the dwellings and in the common areas.

But what is considered a bothersome or harmful activity? Beyond what is described in the municipal ordinance of each city, each community of property owners can adjust this definition by consensus, establishing some Bylaws and an Internal Regulations that are mandatory for all neighbors. These documents will allow for the regulation of coexistence, the use of shared spaces, and the definition of which activities are prohibited.

Regarding the common leisure areas, this internal regulatory policy may cover key aspects to ensure good coexistence such as:

• Schedules and space reservations: To ensure the proper functioning of each area, it is necessary to establish specific usage schedules and, if necessary, specific capacity limits. To avoid overcrowding, especially in areas dedicated to sports activities, such as paddle or tennis courts and swimming pools, it is advisable to provide a reservation system or shifts through calendars, or even, in the most technologically advanced communities, through apps.
• Maintenance and cleaning: The regulations should also refer to the hygienic conditions in which the facilities must be used and maintained.
• Guest access regulation: Another important aspect to decide is whether the community allows the entry of guests, such as friends or family, into common leisure areas, and if so, to specify under what circumstances and with what limitations.
• Prohibited activities: With the utmost detail, to avoid any mistakes, all prohibited activities in each common area must be specified. Understanding that all those not included will be allowed.

Who is responsible for the common recreational areas in residential buildings?

The management of any common area is the responsibility of all owners. Therefore, in the event of any incident or disaster that occurs and damages the building or causes harm to third parties, it is the community of owners who must respond.

Before enjoying the shared areas of your community, it is important that you are aware of the current regulations so you can act accordingly. The common leisure spaces in residential buildings promote relationships among neighbors and contribute to the well-being of those who frequent them, which is why it's worth being responsible and ensuring the smooth operation of the entire community.