Anyone here live in a flat ?

[Rock_Flock_of_Five]

When I was buying a flat in Cardiff many years ago, apart from having to pay ground rent (wasn't much) I also had to pay maintenance costs to the management company.

The flats were built in 1965 and had a problematic flat roof (damp).
The management company had contractors build a pitched roof. At the same time, the area around the basement garages was in need of repair... all of this work (roof & tarmac) came out of a reserve fund that had accrued over the years.
All the maintenance costs each year were audited and sent to each resident. It was as transparent as could have reasonably been hoped for, therefore we weren't faced with a sudden huge bill.

[OurManFlint II]

When I was buying a flat in Cardiff many years ago, apart from having to pay ground rent (wasn't much) I also had to pay maintenance costs to the management company.

The flats were built in 1965 and had a problematic flat roof (damp).
The management company had contractors build a pitched roof. At the same time, the area around the basement garages was in need of repair... all of this work (roof & tarmac) came out of a reserve fund that had accrued over the years.
All the maintenance costs each year were audited and sent to each resident. It was as transparent as could have reasonably been hoped for, therefore we weren't faced with a sudden huge bill.

Same as ours, company manages everything, we have meetings and vote on decisions, but most of the hardcore maintenance is driven by the building inspections you get. They take care of the cleaning, insurance, inspections etc. I think all property management companies in Barcelona are registered lawyers but not all building need to have a company. I've seen horror stories of people running off with the money when people were self organized.