Portal, lift and stairs: the unwritten rules of shared spaces

Terms used

• Junta de propietarios — The junta de propietarios is the general meeting of the building's owners, which decides how common areas are used.
• Portero — The portero is the building's concierge, who looks after the common areas where the building has one.
• Trastero — The trastero is a storage room, usually tied to a flat.
• Azotea — The azotea is the building's flat roof or roof terrace.
• Patio de luces — The patio de luces is a light well that gives light and ventilation to the surrounding flats.

Key rules

• Common areas: Portal, stairs, landings and lift are shared, so no one may take them over for private use.
• Landing: Keep the landing and stairs clear: shoes, furniture and rubbish do not belong there, and a doormat or a few plants are often tolerated but can be ordered removed.
• Bikes and prams: Many buildings ban them in the portal and on the stairs, so ask before leaving any.
• Complaints: Raise problems with the president or administrator, not directly through the neighbours' door.
• Building rules: Each building's statutes and meeting minutes set the real rules, and they vary.

The short version

The portal, stairs, landings and lift belong to everyone. You cannot use them as private space. Beyond the legal rules, each building has its own habits, and bikes, prams and clutter cause most complaints.

What the rules say

Common areas are shared property of all owners in the building. Each community also has its own statutes and house rules, which say what is allowed. The owners' meeting (the junta de propietarios) decides how common areas are used, and the president represents the community.

Check the statutes and the meeting minutes. Ask your landlord or the administrator for a copy. Rules and tolerance vary a lot between buildings. In Catalonia, different regional rules apply.

Bikes, scooters and prams

Many buildings ban storing bikes, scooters or prams in the portal or on the stairs. The reasons are fire safety and keeping access clear. Some communities allow prams or have a bike room, so ask before you leave anything.

If a neighbour complains, the usual steps are:

• a polite request from the president or administrator
• a written warning
• if you keep ignoring it, a legal claim by the community, or a fine if the statutes provide one

Complaints go to the president or administrator, so that is also where you take yours.

Landing and stairs

Keep the landing and stairs clear: shoes, furniture and rubbish do not belong there. A doormat or a few plants are often tolerated, but the community can order them removed. Anything that blocks an escape route breaks fire-safety rules. Put rubbish in the containers, never outside your door.

Lift and stairs manners

These are habits, not laws, but neighbours notice them:

• Greet people: "buenos días", "buenas tardes", "hasta luego" when leaving.
• Hold the door or lift for someone with bags, a pram or a wheelchair.
• Let people with bulky loads, prams or mobility needs go first, and do not overload the lift.
• Do not let doors slam. Keep your voice down on the stairs, especially at night.
• With a pet, carry it or keep it close in the lift.

Moves and big deliveries

Move furniture and bulky items at reasonable hours. Protect the lift with cardboard. Tell the president or the portero (the building's concierge, if there is one) in advance.

Storage rooms, roofs and light wells

• Storage room (trastero): usually yours alone if it comes with your flat. Do not keep hazardous goods there, live in it, or break the statutes. If it is a common element, the junta decides who may use it.
• Flat roof (azotea): normally common, with access limited to the community or authorised people. Sometimes the deeds give it to a top-floor flat for private use. In that case you maintain it but cannot alter the structure without the junta's agreement.
• Light well (patio de luces): normally common. Keep it free of obstructions, because it ventilates and lights other flats. Works there need the junta's approval.

If you rent, ask your landlord what applies to your storage room or roof, since the deeds decide.

If a neighbour raises a problem

Move the item quickly and apologise. Small issues usually end there. The warnings and quick answers below cover the common cases.

What to watch out for

What to watch out for in shared spaces

• Bikes and prams in the portal: The portal and stairs belong to everyone, so no owner may use them as private storage. Many communities ban bikes, scooters and prams there for fire-safety and access reasons. Repeated breaches can lead to a written warning, removal of the item and, if the statutes provide it, a fine. Read your community's statutes before leaving anything in the portal. Ask the president or administrator whether prams are allowed or a bike room exists.

• Clutter on the landing: Shoes, furniture and rubbish do not belong on the landing or stairs, and objects blocking escape routes break fire-safety rules. A doormat or a few plants are often tolerated, but the community can order them removed. Keep the landing clear and take rubbish straight to the containers. If you want a mat or plants, ask the president first.

• Ignoring a warning: If you ignore a request from the president or administrator, the community can take legal action against you. A fine is possible if the statutes allow it. Move the item as soon as you get a warning. If you disagree, raise it at the next owners' meeting rather than leaving it in place.

Quick answers about everyday building life

Can I leave a bike or pram in the portal?

Often no, because the portal is a shared space and many communities ban bikes, scooters and prams there for fire-safety and access reasons. Some communities allow prams or provide a bike room, so check your house rules first. If you persist against a ban, you can get a written warning, a fine if your statutes provide one, or a legal claim.

Should I buzz in people I do not know through the intercom?

No, do not buzz in people you do not know or are not expecting, because they can reach the mail and parcel area or break in. Opening to a visitor or courier you are waiting for is normal. If someone says they are a delivery person and you are not expecting them, ask who they are and which flat they want, or do not open.

Whom should I tell when the lift or stair lights break?

Tell your community president or administrator, as they are the people who arrange repairs to shared areas. Ask them how faults are reported in your building, since many communities post a contact in the portal.

Is it normal to give a neighbour a spare key?

Practice differs from building to building, so ask your administrator or a neighbour you trust what is usual. Only hand a key to someone you know well, and tell them clearly when they may use it.

Rules on bikes and prams vary by community, so check your statutes and meeting minutes or ask your president or administrator.