Definition : Condo manager - Conflict of interest

La webradio du mercredi 15 mars 2023 a porté sur la fraude en copropriété et les mécanismes à mettre en place pour l’éviter. Une copropriété n’est pas à l’abri d’une fraude. Parmi ceux qui pourraient la commettre figurent les administrateurs, les copropriétaires, le gestionnaire de la copropriété, les fournisseurs de services et les tiers. Par conséquent, il serait sage d’observer les comportements d’éventuels suspects, afin d’y déceler des actes potentiellement frauduleux. Il ne saurait être question de mener une chasse aux sorcières dans un immeuble, néanmoins, certains signes avant-coureurs devraient susciter la méfiance et commander la vigilance. Comment identifier ces actes frauduleux et se prémunir des conséquences économiques relatives à ce type d’activité criminelle?

  Voilà bientôt 30 années que le métier de syndic de copropriété ( dénommé chez vous  : gestionnaire de copropriétés) dispose en Belgique d’une reconnaissance légale. Intégré dans les activités d’un agent immobilier, le syndic doit être inscrit auprès de l’Institut Professionnel des agents Immobiliers (I.P.I), organisme public et véritable « gendarme de la profession ». Les chroniques, présentées sous forme de questions-réponses, aborderont cette particularité belge, très peu présente en Europe et de par le monde.  

Le choix d'un gestionnaire de copropriété doit être judicieux, car sa relation d'affaires avec un syndicat doit être harmonieuse. Mais comment atteindre cet objectif? Cette webradio offre des pistes de solution, afin d'atteindre l'équilibre qui permet une relation durable entre les deux parties.

Your co-ownership is exposed to various types of risks, such as fire, water damage, theft and vandalism. Among these risks, there is one that is often overlooked, that of fraud. Those who can commit it are sometimes unsuspected or unsuspecting people. This is the case for the director, the co-owner, the condo manager, service providers and third parties. Therefore, it would be wise to observe the behaviour of potential suspects, in order to detect potentially fraudulent acts. There can be no question of conducting a witch hunt in a building, nevertheless, certain warning signs should arouse mistrust and command vigilance.  

The manager bound to a syndicate by a contract for services does not have the same relationship with his client as the one who has the status of a salaried employee, at the end of a contract of employment. That being said, regardless of the nature of the relationship between the parties, it is advisable to specify the contract’s terms and conditions, including its obligations and its possible renewal. This will prevent misunderstandings and possible litigation. Terminating the contractual relationship between the manager and the syndicate of co-owners requires, at all times, an evaluation of the legal and contractual parameters. A review of the various scenarios illustrating the expiration or resiliation of a contract for services.

The manager usually plays a key role in a co-ownership. Similarly to the board of directors, his duty is to preserve the immovable of which he is responsible. His appointment eases the director’s tasks, without the manager being substituted in their function. The board members will thus be better able to exercise their decision-making powers. That being said, managing a co-ownership is not always an easy task. It is in the best interest of directors to ensure that the manager assumes his mission with dignity, loyalty, diligence and honesty. To this end, the board of directors would be well advised to implement a code of conduct in which professional ethics are addressed, namely, without limitation, compliance with laws and regulations, transparency, confidentiality, conflicts of interest and, of course, discipline.