Are you planning to finish a turnkey apartment in Wrocław and its surroundings? Understanding the differences between a community and a housing cooperative can facilitate the process of carrying out renovation work. In this article, we explain what a housing community and a housing cooperative are, what functions, obligations, and rights they have, as well as what similarities and differences exist between them.
A housing community is an organization that arises when there are at least two separate units in a building owned by different owners. Each owner of a unit automatically becomes a member of the community.
Housing communities were created to enable unit owners to jointly manage the property. This allows for more efficient decision-making regarding the common areas of the building.
The housing community serves to manage and maintain the common areas of the building, such as staircases, roofs, facades, and land associated with the building.
Housing communities operate based on the Act on Ownership of Premises. The main principles are:
Decisions made by majority: Decisions are made by a majority of votes from unit owners.
Management board of the community: The community elects a management board that represents it externally and deals with current affairs.
Renovation fund: Unit owners pay contributions to the renovation fund, which finances renovation and maintenance work.
The obligations of the community include managing and maintaining the common areas of the building, as well as keeping documentation and financial accounts. The rights of the community include the ability to decide on matters related to the property and to enforce compliance with regulations by residents.
A housing cooperative is an organization whose purpose is to meet the housing needs of its members. Members of the cooperative can be individuals and legal entities that own apartments under cooperative ownership rights.
Housing cooperatives were established to allow their members to jointly manage properties and implement projects related to residential construction.
The housing cooperative serves to meet the housing needs of its members, manage properties, and organize shared services such as maintenance, renovations, or keeping order.
Housing cooperatives operate based on Cooperative Law. The main principles include:
Membership: Every member of the cooperative has the right to participate in its activities and to use its services.
General assembly: The highest body of the cooperative is the general assembly of members, which makes the most important decisions.
Supervisory board and management: The cooperative has a supervisory board that oversees the activities of the management.
The obligations of the cooperative include managing properties, keeping financial documentation, and looking after the interests of its members. The rights of the cooperative include the ability to conduct business activities and manage the cooperative's assets.
Property management: Both communities and cooperatives are involved in property management.
Renovation fund: Both forms of organization have funds for renovations and maintenance.
Co-decision-making: Members of communities and cooperatives have the right to co-decide on matters related to property management.
Ownership structure: Communities consist of owners of units, while members of cooperatives own apartments under cooperative ownership rights.
Decisions: Communities make decisions by a majority of votes from unit owners, while in cooperatives, decisions are made by the general assembly of members.
Organization: Cooperatives have a more complex organizational structure, including a supervisory board and management, while communities are usually simpler in structure.
In addition to communities and housing cooperatives, there are other forms of building managers in Poland, such as:
Property manager: A person or company engaged in the professional management of properties on behalf of the owners.
Social housing associations (TBS): Organizations involved in the construction and management of rental apartments with moderate rents.
Local communities: Forms of property management that are owned by local government units.
Understanding the differences between a community and a housing cooperative is crucial when planning the turnkey finishing of an apartment in Wrocław and its surroundings. Each of these management forms has its specific rules, obligations, and rights that can affect the execution of renovation works. Choosing the right construction company that understands these differences and can effectively cooperate with property managers is key to the success of any project.
If you are planning the turnkey finishing of an apartment in Wrocław and its surroundings, contact our company, which offers comprehensive renovation and construction services. Our experience and professionalism guarantee that your project will be executed according to the highest quality standards.