As all owners will soon need to make a decision about the electricity reform in the complex, we would like to provide an at-a-glance comparison of the two existing options.
Option 1
This is a large and relatively expensive project, which involves installing an external transformer, digging up Calle Cataluña for 200 meters, and laying new cables and junction boxes every X meters. In this case, each apartment will be billed separately by the energy company (for example, by Endesa).
Option 2
This is a relatively small and inexpensive project, which involves installing electricity meters and also billing consumption separately, but internally (by the administrator).
Comparison Table
| Question | Option 1 | Option 2 |
| Brief description | Install individual electricity meters for each apartment. Requires rebuilding external infrastructure from Call Cataluña to Calle Madrid. | Install electricity meters in already pre-prepared locations and start internal billing (by the administrator) based on individual consumption. |
| Motivation | 1) Fairly split electricity bills between apartments. 2) Avoid paying for defaulters. | Fairly split electricity bills between apartments. |
| Estimated cost | Additionally €200.000 or more | Up to €40.000 |
| Do we need new “derrama”? | Yes – we currently lack €120,000 or more (depending on final cost). | No |
| What’s Included in the project? | – Stage 1: Dig 200m of street, lay new cable conduits, install junction boxes. – Stage 2: Install a 3x4m transformer, lay cables, and connect everything. – Stage 3: Obtain permits and approvals. | Purchase or rent electricity meters and install them. |
| Estimated timeline (once fully funded) | 2–3 years (multiple stages, legal paperwork, and long transformer delivery times). | Up to 6 months. |
| Impact on average monthly bill per apartment | Actual consumption + €15 (new meter power fee) – €7 (savings by not paying for defaulters) = approx. €8 more per month. | No change for the average user. Those who use more, pay more; those who use less, pay less. |
| Legality | Yes – each apartment will have a direct contract with the electricity company. | Yes – many nearby complexes have used this internal system for years. |
| Handling defaulters | Handled by the electricity company. They can disconnect non-payers, but legally cannot disconnect socially vulnerable individuals – who are very likely among our current non-payers. Read more | We cannot disconnect non-payers. Currently, 13 apartments are in debt. We estimate the community pays around €600 monthly on their behalf (€7 per paying apartment). |
| Side effects & risks | 1) Each owner must pay €500–€1,000 to certify their apartment. There is a risk that defaulters and squatters will not do this, resulting in the community continuing to pay their bills. 2) Maximum power per apartment will be reduced from 8.8 kW to 5.5 kW. | We will continue paying for electricity consumed by defaulters (as before). |
| Payback | No. After implementation, each owner will pay approximately €8 more per month. | No payback intended – the main goal is to ensure fair billing. |