Is it legal for your community to prohibit you from charging your electric car in the garage?

According to the latest sales data for June 2025, the number of electrified vehicles (BEV+PHEV) registered in Spain reached a new record, with 24,776 units sold , representing a 130.7% increase over this period.

Therefore, after knowing this figure, it is very strange that there are communities of neighbors that do not allow the installation of chargers in private parking spaces , as in the case of José Listo, a Zaragoza resident who has been denied the right to place a charging station for his electric car in his development, according to Heraldo de Aragón .

Why don't they let this neighbor charge his car?

According to Listo, six months ago the administrator of the community informed him that he had been denied permission to install a charger for his vehicle, because the neighbors wouldn't let him position it, as the electricity meter was quite far from his parking space .

Heraldo de Aragón also specifies that the company managing the parking lot, which has more than 2,500 spaces, is following the provisions of the Horizontal Property Law. Furthermore, they have suggested that the company purchase some of the parking spaces that already come with a charger , which cost more than €35,000.

What does the Horizontal Property Law say about this circumstance?

However, the Horizontal Property Law specifies in Article 17.5 that "the installation of an electric vehicle charging station for private use in the building's parking lot, provided it is located in an individual parking space, will only require prior notification to the community. The cost of said installation and the corresponding electricity consumption will be fully borne by the person or persons directly interested in it."

So, your garage community should let José Listo install a charger for his electric vehicle .

What happens if you find a car parked in your garage?

The act of parking in a space that is not yours is covered by the Penal Code 245.2 in its article as a crime of usurpation of private property : "Whoever occupies, without due authorization, another person's property, dwelling or building that does not constitute a residence, or remains in them against the will of its owner, will be punished with a fine of three to six months."

Therefore, it's important to note that if you're faced with a situation like this, you can't request police intervention to send a tow truck to remove the vehicle, as this is private property. In this case, the Criminal Code offers a solution .