Water rules changed. Your landlord probably doesn't know - Costa del Sol — Monday, 10 November

It's from the comunidad—your building's HOA. New water-use restrictions for 2025. Pool topping limits. Garden irrigation schedules. Fines for violations.

They haven't forwarded it to you yet. They might not. Last summer, three remote executives in the western Costa received fines of €500-800 for using the pool during restricted hours. None of them knew restrictions existed until the invoice arrived.

You're running client calls while your landlord is figuring out Spanish HOA circulars. That gap is where problems land.

Marbella expanded its desalination plant. More baseline water for the western Costa. Sounds good. Still doesn't prevent short-term restrictions when summer heat spikes. Councils and HOAs can quickly toggle rules—they did it last year, and they'll do it again if the rain misses.

Regenerated water is rolling out to golf courses and parks. Less strain on potable supply. Málaga added non-potable storage for street cleaning. These help. Though they don't eliminate summer bans.

The critical part: last summer's restrictions taught building managers how to quickly impose rules. They've got the playbook now. If drought returns, expect pool and garden limits in June or July with a 48-hour notice.

Mid-call pool crisis. You're on Zoom with your VP. Landlord texts: "Comunidad says pool covered by Tuesday or €200 fine per day." You're now sourcing pool contractors between standups.

Surprise compliance invoice. The letter arrives. All Spanish. "Infracción por uso de agua." You used water during restricted hours. €650. You didn't know restricted hours existed.

Rental friction. Summer arrives. Brown lawn, empty pool. The property looks neglected. The landlord blames you for not maintaining it. You didn't know you were allowed to maintain it.

This is preventable. The work happens in winter.

Don't ask your landlord if they "have a plan." They'll say yes even if they don't. Be specific.

Question 1: "What water restrictions did our building implement last summer, and what's planned for 2025?"
If they don't know immediately, your building doesn't have its act together. Budget for private mitigation.

Question 2: "If the comunidad bans pool topping or garden watering, does our rental agreement cover those scenarios?"
Check your policy for exclusions around "non-use" or community-ordered closures. If it's vague, you're exposed.

Question 3: Before you do anything water-related (pool heating upgrade, garden system):
"¿Esta obra requiere licencia de obra mayor?"—Does this require a major works permit?
Major permits take 8-12 weeks. Minor permits take 2-3. Spring backlogs make both worse.

¿Esta obra requiere licencia de obra mayor?
Does this require a major works permit?

Presupuesto cerrado, por favor.
Fixed quote, please.

Reply water with your town and what you're dealing with.

I'll send:
Local compliance context in English
Two crews that work clean under the current rules
One-page checklist for the next permit window

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Not bad for a hungover Monday,