The arrival of the heatwave has intensified the need for air conditioning in homes across the province of Cádiz. However, a practice that was until now common, such as installing the external unit on facades, could lead to significant financial penalties.
The reason for these new fines lies in the expiration of the moratoria that allowed buildings to adapt to urban landscape, efficiency, and public space protection regulations. The Horizontal Property Law considers the facade a common element of the building, meaning any alteration without the necessary agreement of the homeowners' association constitutes an infringement.
Municipal technical inspections can initiate sanctioning procedures on their own initiative, leading to fines of up to €3,000. In addition to the financial penalty, the offender will be required to relocate the unit to a permitted location, such as internal courtyards, communal rooftops, or terraces where the compressor is hidden.
The regulation also addresses issues such as the noise generated by compressors and the prohibition of discharging condensation water onto the public street, practices that are also punishable and pose a risk of nuisance and danger.
Therefore, it is important to be aware of the current regulations before installing an air conditioning system to avoid committing punishable acts and ensure correct placement of the device.
