The law clarifies whether you must attend neighborhood meetings and the consequences of not going.

Owning a home in a community entails a number of responsibilities: contributing financially to common expenses, maintaining the properties in good condition and allowing repairs to be made in common areas, in addition to complying with the community's rules and bylaws, and actively participating in community meetings and decisions.

Pay attention to your community's next meeting. These are not good times for owners' meetings, which are held once a year for ordinary meetings (to approve accounts and renew positions) or, when appropriate, for extraordinary meetings (to approve the execution of works or to change the property manager, for example).

These meetings often cause discontent, and many people skip them if there's an opportunity. The meeting must be public, and all residents must be informed, indicating the date, time, location, and topics to be discussed. It's also mandatory to include a list of owners who are not up to date with their payments, indicating that they will not be able to vote. Are owners required to attend neighborhood meetings?

Not attending meetings is a relief for many owners, but it's not a trivial matter . They must abide by the decisions made there, because there's no point in complaining if one doesn't attend. It's enough for just one person to attend at the second meeting—half an hour after the first—provided all owners have been summoned to the meeting in accordance with the provisions of the Horizontal Property Law , for the agreement to be valid and binding. This is true only when it concerns matters that require a simple majority, for example, the approval of accounts or budgets, essential works, and maintenance.

When it comes to more important issues, such as energy efficiency projects, limiting the use of tourist accommodation, or renting out community spaces, a qualified majority is required, which in this case is three-fifths or one-third, depending on the case. Here, residents have one month to cast their votes for or against , even if they did not attend the meeting. If they do not vote within those 30 days, their vote would be added to the qualified majority.

It should be noted that attendance is the responsibility of each owner within the community, although it is possible to attend through legal or voluntary representation. If the latter is the case, a written authorization signed by the owner to attend the owners' meeting would suffice . It must identify both the representative and the person represented, as well as the property or properties in question. It must also include express authorization to attend and vote, as well as the signatures of both. Attendance is by no means mandatory, but it is recommended.

Since 2025, meetings may be held in person, by videoconference, or in a hybrid format, provided all owners have given their prior consent to the use of electronic means.

The main disadvantage of not attending a neighborhood meeting and not delegating a vote is the loss of the right to vote; however, there are situations in which this power can be regained.

In the event that a unanimity or majority is required to approve a measure that is tied, the owner who did not attend may state their vote within 30 days. If they did not cast their vote, their vote will be recorded as being in favor of the stipulated agreement—with the exception of projects or facilities for private use.