When economies hit rough patches, households tighten every nonessential expense first. Yet when payments slip, the impact is felt most in the spaces that hold a community together. Carmela Lavandeira, vice president of the Galician Association of Property Managers, points to a recent trend: the risk of rising non-payment in community fees grows as inflation strains household budgets. In urban neighborhoods, the skyline serves as a constant reminder of how maintenance and services rely on timely dues, and industry professionals fear this could worsen as economic pressures persist. This concern is echoed across regional councils, signaling a nationwide pattern rather than a single city issue. [Source attribution: Galician Association of Property Managers]
The chatter of a cautious return to normal activity after the summer is already in the air among offices and neighborhood communities. Yet Lavandeira cautions that predicting the near future remains risky due to the quiet season and limited summer activity. She notes that August typically sees a lull when many residents are away, but some receipts have begun to come in. She emphasizes that the situation is not isolated to A Coruña but mirrors conditions in other autonomous communities, reinforcing the broader scope of the challenge for property managers nationwide. [Source attribution: Fincas Lavandeira]
The political and economic volatility complicates forecasting. While numbers can be estimated, actual outcomes remain uncertain. In a large community, a couple of defaulters may not seem critical, but in a smaller setting, unpaid dues can topple the financial balance. A local lawyer explains that the real question is not just who will pay, but how much, and when. The risk of defaults reverberates through service levels and maintenance schedules, underscoring how critical timely payments are to the daily functioning of shared properties. [Source attribution: Legal expert]
Property managers warn that possible defaults could echo past recessions, such as 2008, when essential services were at risk. They describe measures that might be needed if funds run short: delaying materials purchases, temporarily halting elevator maintenance, or adjusting heating systems to curb energy costs. The emphasis is on practical, proactive steps to preserve safety and comfort, while carefully communicating with residents to explain the need for adjustments. Lavandeira stresses the importance of aiming for efficient heating and reliable boilers to promote energy savings, and notes that predictable steps may be required across quotas and allocations. The aim is to reach settlements through dialogue and negotiated arrangements before resorting to formal action, because a cooperative approach often yields better outcomes. [Source attribution: Industry guidance]
Beyond the legal and financial sides, community leaders are anxious about preparing properties for upcoming months as fluctuations in gas and fuel prices complicate forecasts. Presidents reach out with questions about deposits, contract changes, and timing. The response centers on transparency and careful accounting: sharing current conditions, laying out the numbers, and letting residents decide the path forward. With diesel costs rising materially in recent months, teams adjust estimates by looking at last year’s spending while applying current indices. The message remains clear: anticipate changes, communicate clearly, and be ready to adapt as new data emerges. [Source attribution: Community leadership communications]