Can they pay the president?

QUESTION:

I live on an urbanisation of 100 properties. Only 12 properties are inhabited by permanent residents. Seven of these have previously acted as president.

At the end of this year our president and vice president are standing down and there are no volunteers for the positions. 

We were informed at our last AGM that, if there were no volunteers, the names of permanent residents who had not previously been president would be grouped together. One of these would then be randomly selected to take over the duties of president for one year.

This would be a random selection from five names. As owners who are non-resident are equally responsible for the community, should their names also be legally included in this selection?   

N K (Costa Blanca)

ANSWER:

Of course it is better for the president to be a full-time resident of Spain, but you are right.  The absentee owners must share the responsibility.

Here is an idea. Recent changes in the law allow for community presidents to be paid for their services.

Perhaps the offer of a stipend in the amount of community fees would attract some volunteers to be president.

Send your questions for David Searl through lawyers Ubeda-Retana and Associates in Fuengirola at Ask@lawtaxspain.com, or call 952 667 090.