English Version:Article 1421 of the Portuguese Civil Code – Commun Parts

For all our International English Spoken readers here’s a English Version of article 1421 of the Portuguese Civil Code

Article 1421

(Common Parts)

1. The common parts of the building are:

a) The ground, as well as the foundations, columns, pillars, masters walls and all the remaining parts that constitute the structure of the building;

b) The roof or the terraces of covering, despite the fact that they are destined to the sole use of one owner;

c) The entrances, dressing rooms, stairs and corridors of common use by at least two owners;

d) The general water installations, electricity, heating, conditional air, gas, communications and similar.

2. Also are presumed common the following parts:

 a) Patios and gardens that are next to the building;

b) The elevator;

c) The dependences destined to the use and habitation of the doorman;

d) The garages and other places of parking;

e) In general, the things that are not destined to the exclusive use of one of the owners.

3 – The approved title for the building can determine the exclusive use by an owner of certain zones of the common parts.

(Please note that sometimes the parts described in 2 are only “presumed” common. This means that sometimes the title of the building or the deeds could provide different solutions. For instance it’s common for garages to have individual ownership)

Portuguese Version

Artigo 1421.º

(Partes comuns do prédio)

1. São comuns as seguintes partes do edifício:

a) O solo, bem como os alicerces, colunas, pilares, paredes mestras e todas as partes restantes que constituem a estrutura do prédio;

b) O telhado ou os terraços de cobertura, ainda que destinados ao uso de qualquer fracção;

c) As entradas, vestíbulos, escadas e corredores de uso ou passagem comum a dois ou mais condóminos;

d) As instalações gerais de água, electricidade, aquecimento, ar condicionado, gás, comunicações e semelhantes.

2. Presumem-se ainda comuns:

a) Os pátios e jardins anexos ao edifício;

b) Os ascensores;

c) As dependências destinadas ao uso e habitação do porteiro;

d) As garagens e outros lugares de estacionamento;

e) Em geral, as coisas que não sejam afectadas ao uso exclusivo de um dos condóminos.

3 – O título constitutivo pode afectar ao uso exclusivo de um condómino certas zonas das partes comuns.