Definition : Property management - Self management

September 27, 2019 - The professionalization of condo managers, as well as the best practices to be deployed within this housing model, have been at the heart of debates for several years now in several French-speaking territories around the world. Whether in Quebec or in Europe, a number of players working in this field are meeting to discuss it.  

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.

Every syndicate of co-owners should retain the services of a condo manager, to assist the board of directors carrying out its duties. As the needs of a co-ownership are multiple and complex he needs to be the one man band of the co-ownership and assume enormous responsibilities. This being said, there are three management modes associated with this function, namely: resident-managers (autonomous management), employees (self-management) and contractors (external manager). A review of the various missions that may be entrusted to them.

Whether the condo manager is an employee or a contractor, the relationships and his missions must be defined by a contract. This is more important, given that the work of the condo manager is not regulated by law, as a professional provider. The contract will have the virtue of confirming the mandate, the duration, the fees. As a general rule, it is up to the board of directors to set the guidelines of the management contract, according to the size and characteristics of the co-ownership. As for the terms and conditions of appointment and replacement of the manager, they are generally provided in the constituting act of the declaration of co-ownership.