> Short answer: Yes. In 2026, any building community can change its lift maintenance company: you have free choice of maintenance provider and are not obligated to continue with the original installer. Simply review the contract (term and notice period, usually 30–90 days), approve the change by a simple majority vote at a meeting, notify the company of your intention to terminate the contract, and choose a new maintenance company. Service and safety will not be interrupted at any time.
It's one of the most frequently asked questions in Mallorcan homeowners' associations: can you really change the lift maintenance company, or are you tied to the one that installed the lift? The short answer is: yes, you can. Changing lift maintenance companies is a right of the community, not a favor anyone has to grant you. The truth is, many communities stick with the same maintenance company out of habit, unaware that they have complete freedom of choice. In this guide, we explain, step by step, how to change lift companies without any hassle, what to check in the contract before canceling, and why the safety of your lift isn't compromised during the transfer. If you're looking for a lift company in Palma let them take care of the whole change; Eleva Balear manages it for you.
Can you freely change the maintenance company for a lift?
Yes. There is free competition and freedom to choose the maintenance company. No building is obligated to maintain the lift with the company that installed it or with which it signed the initial contract. Changing the lift maintenance company is perfectly legal as long as the terms and conditions of the current contract are respected.
Here's the key: the lift belongs to you (the community), not the maintenance company. Just because a lift bears a manufacturer's brand doesn't mean that manufacturer has exclusive rights to its maintenance. Spanish regulations distinguish between the owner of the installation—the community—and the maintenance company that provides the service, and leave that relationship open to free contracting. What few people know is that the National Commission for Markets and Competition for years it has monitored practices that made it difficult to change the maintenance provider, precisely to protect the customer's free choice.
In practice, this translates to something very simple: if your current conservator doesn't respond, raises the price without explanation, or the service has worsened, you have every right to look for another one. And you don't have to give up on a good one lift maintenance service out of fear of the paperwork.
How to change your lift maintenance company step by step?
Changing lift maintenance companies is done in a few orderly steps: first, the contract is reviewed; then, it's approved at a meeting; the termination is notified respecting the required notice period; the new maintenance company is chosen; and finally, the documentation and the lift logbook are transferred. If done properly, the neighbors hardly notice anything.
- Review the current contract. Locate the expiry date, the length of stay, the notice period, and any possible penalties for early termination.
- Request comparable quotes. Request quotes from two or three conservative companies and compare service scope, response times and 24/7 availability, not just price.
- Approve the change at the meeting. Include the item on the agenda and put it to a vote (a simple majority is sufficient to change the provider of an already agreed service).
- Notify the termination in writing. Communicate the termination to the outgoing conservator, respecting the notice; Send it with acknowledgment of receipt or burofax.
- Sign with the new conservative. Formalize the new contract by indicating the exact start date of the service so that there is no day without coverage.
- It requires the transfer of documentation. Request the lift manual, inspection reports, and technical history; this is usually handled by the new company between the two of you.
In Mallorca, we often see communities stuck at step 4 for fear of "doing things wrong." It's not that big of a deal: if the property manager and the new conservator coordinate the process, the change is seamless.
What should I look at in the contract before changing maintenance providers?
Before cancelling your contract, review four clauses: the duration (term), automatic renewal, notice period, and early termination penalties. These conditions determine when you can leave without penalty and how much notice you must give. This is the point that prevents the most problems.
The duration or permanence it tells you how long your commitment lasts. Many contracts are annual but with 5 or even 10-year terms, a legacy of the installation. tacit renewal it's the classic trap: if you don't give notice within the deadline, the contract is automatically extended for another full year. advance notice this is the advance notice you must give to cancel your contract for it to be effective upon expiration. And the penalties these are the compensation that the conservator claims if you break up early (usually calculated on the remaining monthly payments).
If you notice a high penalty, don't give up: check if that clause is reasonable, because not all of them are enforceable as written. It helps a lot if your new lift company reads the contract with you before you sign anything.
How much notice do I need to give to cancel the lift maintenance contract?
The usual notice period for canceling a lift maintenance contract is between 30 and 90 calendar days before the annual expiration date, although the exact period is specified in your contract. If you miss this deadline, the contract will automatically renew for another year due to the tacit renewal clause. Therefore, it's advisable to check the calendar as soon as possible.
A typical example in a Palma community: a contract expiring on December 31st with a 60-day notice period. This means that the termination must be communicated, in writing and with proof of receipt, before November 1st. If you send it on December 15th, you're late and will be stuck with another year of the contract. That's why the first piece of advice is always the same: check the expiry date and the notice period before anything else, not when you're already angry with the property manager.
| Contract clause | What does it mean | What to review |
|---|---|---|
| Duration / length of stay | Minimum commitment period | End date and whether you are still within the commitment period |
| Tacit renewal | Automatic extension if you do not notify | If applicable, and with how many months of grace period? |
| Notice | Advance notice for notification of termination | It is usually 30–90 calendar days |
| Penalty for early termination | Compensation for premature breakage | How is it calculated and is it proportionate? |
Do I need board approval to change lift companies?
Yes. As it's a shared building service, changing the maintenance company must be approved at a homeowners' association meeting, usually by a simple majority. The item is included on the agenda, a vote is taken, and once approved, the agreement is binding on the entire community. The property manager is usually responsible for calling the meeting and keeping a record of it.
The Horizontal Property Law this is the body that governs how decisions are made regarding common elements such as the lift. Changing the provider of an existing service does not require supermajorities—that is reserved for installing a new lift or carrying out renovations—so a simple majority of owners and shares present at the meeting is sufficient. It is advisable to clearly record the agreement in the minutes: who the outgoing maintenance company is, who the incoming company is, and from what date.
This step provides legal certainty for the community. With the agreement recorded in the minutes, the termination of the contract with the previous company is backed by the building's formal decision.
Does changing maintenance companies affect lift safety?
No. Safety is not interrupted at any time. The changeover is coordinated so that the new maintenance company takes over the service on the same day the previous one ends, without leaving the lift unattended. The incoming company inherits all maintenance and safety obligations.
The RD 355/2024, the new ITC AEM 1 "Lifts" standard, approved in July 2024, clearly defines the obligations of both the owner (the building association) and the maintenance company. These obligations do not disappear with the change: they are transferred directly to the new maintenance company, which resumes periodic inspections, preventive maintenance, and repairs. You can find more information in our guide on [topic missing] the risks of not performing lift maintenance why is that continuity so important?.
One technical detail: if some time has passed since the last official inspection, changing maintenance companies may require a new inspection due to the change in service provider. This isn't a problem; it's an extra guarantee that the appliance is up to code. And with the new lift regulations 2026 it's a good idea to take advantage of the change to check that everything is in order.
How much does maintenance cost with the new lift company?
Lift maintenance in 2026 ranges from approximately €30–€50/month for a basic contract to €80–€120/month for a comprehensive or fully comprehensive contract. Switching maintenance companies is often the perfect time to adjust the contract to the community's actual needs, without overpaying.
Don't make the mistake of choosing based solely on the lowest price. A cheap contract that doesn't cover parts or provide a quick response will end up costing you more in the long run when breakdowns occur. The sensible thing to do is compare what each offer includes: servicing, parts, response time, and emergency service. You can find the full breakdown in our guide on How much does lift maintenance cost?.
At Eleva Balear, we don't work with a single price: we tailor the contract to the lift, the number of stops, and the building's usage, always with complete transparency. A hotel in Cala Ratjada and an apartment building in Inca don't have the same needs.
When NOT to change lift maintenance company
Switching insurance providers is almost always possible, but it's not always the best time. There are situations where it's wise to wait or negotiate before cancelling, to avoid penalties and unnecessary complications.
- You are currently in the middle of your contract period with a high penalty and the current service working: it's better to wait until expiration or negotiate.
- Just before a mandatory periodic inspection: it is advisable to coordinate the change well with the outgoing conservator to avoid duplicating procedures.
- Just because of a one-off fit of anger: if the problem is a poorly managed breakdown, it can sometimes be resolved by filing a written complaint before changing companies.
- Without yet having the board agreement: Do not notify the withdrawal before the community has voted and it has been recorded in the minutes.
Frequently asked questions about changing your lift maintenance company
Is it legal to change the maintenance company for a lift to another maintenance company?
Yes, it's perfectly legal. There's freedom to choose the maintenance company and free competition in the sector: the homeowners' association isn't obligated to continue with the original installer or any specific manufacturer. You only need to respect the terms of the current contract (term and notice period). Once those periods have expired, changing the lift maintenance provider is a right of the homeowners' association.
What happens to the lift manual and documentation when changing maintenance providers?
The lift logbook, inspection reports, and technical history must be transferred to the new maintenance company. This documentation belongs to the installation, not the outgoing maintenance company, so they are responsible for handing it over. Typically, the new company will manage this transfer between both parties, so the building management doesn't have to chase after paperwork or worry about anything.
Can I change lift companies if the lift was installed by a specific manufacturer?
Yes. Just because a lift bears a manufacturer's brand doesn't obligate it to be maintained by that brand. Any authorized maintenance company can handle the maintenance, including parts and replacements. Free competition protects this right, and an independent maintenance company like Eleva Balear can perfectly maintain lifts from any manufacturer installed in Mallorca.
How long does it take to change the maintenance company for a lift?
It depends on the notice period in your contract, not the paperwork itself. The cancellation must be communicated with the agreed-upon notice (usually 30 to 90 days before the expiration date), and the change takes effect on that date. Once approved by the owners' association and the cancellation officially notified, the new maintenance company assumes the service without any interruption to the community.
Can a community change lift companies by a simple majority vote?
Yes. Since it's an existing shared service, changing the maintenance company is approved at a meeting by a simple majority of owners and their corresponding shares; no supermajority is required. Simply include the item on the agenda, vote on it, and record the agreement in the minutes. From that point on, the decision is binding on the entire homeowners' association.
Switch your refrigerator without complications with Eleva Balear
Want to switch your lift maintenance company but dread the paperwork? We'll take care of everything: we'll review your current contract, check deadlines and penalties, coordinate the cancellation with your previous maintenance provider, and take over the service without your lift going unattended for a single day. We offer our own 24/7 technical service, are a local company, and provide personalized attention. With over 100 lifts installed in the Balearic Islands and a 99% customer satisfaction rating, we're here to help.
Call us at +34 971 17 81 51 or write to us at quierosercliente@elevabalear.com and we'll tell you, with no obligation, how to switch lift companies in your building in the simplest way. Experience the peace of mind of being in good hands.
