When you live in a condominium, you must choose a management company to take care of the administration of the property and its day-to-day operation. This is known as a co-ownership property manager, also known in Mauritius as the Syndic. However, if the latter does not meet your expectations, you may need to consider ending the relationship and hire a new one which offers a more professional service. How to proceed? Here are a few useful tips provided to us by David Pitot, director of The Smart Syndic.
In many new real estate projects, the promoter appoints the management company. A first General Assembly is convened to confirm the company in charge. Generally, the management company is unanimously elected, since the co-owners trust the promoter.
Unfortunately, the set objectives are not always given due consideration and sometimes syndics lack experience and competence: dirt, pending administrative paperwork, outstanding requests… So, it is becomes quite urgent to call up a new property management company, even if the process requires time, a good contact network and energy.
How to switch property management company?
Smart Syndic provides us with some clues on how to switch from one syndic to the other as smoothly as possible:
It is better to wait until the expiry of the management contract and seize this opportunity to vote against the renewal of its contract. Indeed, a contract is never tacitly renewed. A decision must be taken by a General Assembly to decide of the fate of the company. However, in case of gross misconduct by the property management company, the latter may be dismissed at any time.
What you should do:
- You should send the notice by registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt requested by one or more co-owners or by the co-owners association.
- This notification must be made before sending the notice to the General Assembly meeting. Otherwise, late notification may prevent the property management company from placing the request on the agenda. If this is the case, it will be postponed till the next meeting.
- The contract of the property management company must be attached to your letter, and see to it that all concerned co-owners receive a copy.
- Make sure that the General Assembly meeting is held before the property management company’s contract expires. If the syndic of co-ownership ceases to function without its successor being elected, things are likely to get more complicated.
- Make sure that the majority of co-owners actually intend to change the syndic in order to avoid any unpleasant surprise during the vote.
Finding a new property management company seems complicated to you? Contact The Smart Syndic, which works in partnership with Syneo, the French syndic network boasting more than 30 years of expertise. Recently set up in Mauritius, the company will fulfil all your expectations, and masterfully manage your property!
