Condomínio and utilities in Lisbon: a practical guide
Quick definition
Condominium refers to shared management of common areas in a building. Utilities include water, electricity, gas, and telecommunications. In Lisbon, understanding these costs is essential to calculate the real cost of owning or renting a property.
Condominium: what it covers and why it matters
Condominium fees in Lisbon typically cover: cleaning of common areas, elevator maintenance, lighting of common areas, building insurance, and reserve fund for works. The amount varies according to building size, included services, and conservation state. Before buying in Lisbon, request minutes of recent assemblies to check for planned works or expected extraordinary fees.
Water, electricity, gas, internet: the essentials
In Lisbon, the main providers are: EPAL (water), EDP/Endesa/others (electricity), Galp/others (gas), and various telecom operators. Change of account holder is needed after purchase. In old buildings in Lisbon, check electrical installation capacity before planning renovation — panel upgrade or grid connection reinforcement may be needed.
What to check before buying in Lisbon
Before buying in Lisbon, confirm: current condominium fee and if it's up to date, existence of previous owner debts (may transfer), reserve fund status, planned or ongoing works, status of individual meters (water, electricity, gas), and any restrictions in internal regulations (pets, short-term rental, etc.).
Common pitfalls
Frequent mistakes in Lisbon include: not checking condominium debts before purchase (buyer may be held responsible), ignoring condominium internal regulations, not attending assemblies (and being surprised by decisions that affect you), underestimating utility costs in poorly insulated old apartments, and not confirming if meters are individual or shared.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related terms
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