Cleaning the house is a common routine in any home, but not all gestures associated with domestic hygiene are harmless. Shaking rugs or clothes through the windows can generate conflicts with neighbors and, in some cases, result in a fine that can exceed 6,000 euros, according to Marketeer.
A common practice
It is an old habit in many Portuguese buildings to shake rugs, blankets or towels through the windows, balconies or doors to the street. However, what may seem like a simple domestic task turns out to be a complaint to neighbors, especially when they fall from animals, crumbs, powder or hair on alien balconies, extended clothing or cars.
According to the same source, Deco Proteste explains that this behavior not only compromises good condominium coexistence, but in various locations is subject to legal sanctions provided for in municipal regulations.
Municipal rules define limits
Many city councils include their hygiene and cleaning regulations specific provisions on the subject. This is the case of Nazareth, where it is expressly forbidden “to shake or beat blankets, rugs, packs, facts, clothes or other windows, balconies and doors to the street whenever predictable their waste from passers -by or third party goods”.
Those who disrespect this rule may be the target of a high fine, which, in the case of the municipality of Matosinhos, can reach 6,350 euros, according to the source mentioned above.
Deco Proteste advises citizens to inform themselves to the City Council of their area of residence to find out if there is specific regulation and how it should be applied.
Neighborhood, Civism and Practical Solutions
Although Portuguese law allows the authorities to act in case of infraction, Deco underlines that the first step should always be dialogue. Alerting the neighbor directly and with cordiality can solve the problem without the need to climb the situation.
In these cases, the condominium administrator has no direct intervention, as it is a conflict between residents, not an infringement in the common parts of the building. However, if the internal regulation of the condominium includes rules of conduct that prohibits shaking objects at the window, the administrator may alert the offender for the expected consequences, as referred to in.
If all attempts to resolution will fail and the practice continues, the formal denunciation of local authorities becomes the way forward. Even in the simplest tasks of everyday life, such as cleaning a rug, respect for the rules and space of the other makes all the difference and can avoid a heavy fine.
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