Renovating an apartment in Spain: community rules and planning

Apartments are among the most common holiday homes on the Costa Blanca and around the Mar Menor. Renovating one can transform it, but an apartment is part of a building and a community. Planning around that from the start avoids conflicts and delays.

Start with the community's rules

Every building is managed by its community of owners (comunidad de propietarios), usually through an administrator. Many communities set working hours, rules for using lifts and for delivering materials, and requirements for protecting common areas. Ask the administrator for the rules and inform them about the planned work.

What needs the community's approval?

Work inside your apartment that does not affect the structure or common elements usually only needs the town hall's permission. Changes to the façade, closing in a terrace, replacing windows with a different appearance, or work affecting shared structures and installations normally need the community's approval as well. Read more in our guide to building permits in Spain.

Access, lifts and deliveries

The floor level, the size of the lift and the route from the street decide how materials arrive and how debris leaves. Large items such as kitchen worktops, shower trays or windows must fit the lift or stairs. Share these details early so the programme can be planned.

Shared installations

Drainage stacks, water risers and some electrical lines are shared with the building. Moving a kitchen or bathroom far from existing drainage may be difficult. We look at the existing positions before planning a new layout.

Noise and neighbours

Demolition and drilling are the noisiest phases. Planning them in a concentrated period within the permitted hours, and telling neighbours in advance, keeps relations good.

Kitchens and bathrooms

Most apartment renovations centre on the kitchen and bathrooms. Opening the kitchen to the living area is a common wish; first check whether the wall is load-bearing. See our guide to removing a load-bearing wall.

Terraces

Terraces are the outdoor space of many apartments. New tiles, improved waterproofing, shading and outdoor lighting can make a big difference, within what the community allows.

Plan the whole apartment together

Doing the kitchen, bathrooms, floors and installations in one coordinated apartment renovation is usually more efficient than separate projects. See apartment renovations in areas such as La Mata, Playa Flamenca and Santa Pola.