Trustee of condominium

One condominium trustee is a professional or an entity (professional trustee or volunteer trustee) responsible for the administrative, financial, and technical management of a condominium. He legally represents the syndicate of co-owners and ensures the proper maintenance of the building as well as compliance with the condominium regulations.

The missions of a condominium trustee include:

• Administrative management : organization of general meetings, keeping of minutes, management of condominium documents.
• Financial management : development of the provisional budget, collection of condominium fees, management of accounts and invoices.
• Technical management : supervision of maintenance or renovation work, monitoring of maintenance contracts (elevators, heating, etc.).

The trustee can be a specialized company (professional trustee) or a co-owner elected by the other members of the condominium (volunteer trustee).

The missions of a condominium trustee are varied and fall into three main categories: administrative, financial, and technical. Here is a summary of the main missions:

1. Administrative management

• Organization of general meetings : prepare the convocations, facilitate the meetings, and write the minutes.
• Implementation of decisions of the General Assembly : implementing decisions made by the co-owners, such as work or the establishment of new services.
• Maintaining condominium documents : ensure the management and updating of official documents (condominium regulations, registers, archives, etc.).

2. Financial Management

• Elaboration of the provisional budget : prepare the condominium budget to cover current expenses and anticipate possible work.
• Account Management : collecting condominium fees from the co-owners, paying the suppliers, and keeping the accounting of the condominium.
• Recovery of unpaid bills : in case of late payment, initiate the necessary procedures to recover the charges due.

3. Technical management and maintenance

• Supervision of maintenance and renovation works : organize, supervise, and control the work necessary for the maintenance of the building (roof, facades, security systems, etc.).
• Monitoring of maintenance contracts : ensure the proper functioning of common equipment (elevators, heating systems, green spaces, etc.) by negotiating and supervising contracts with service providers.
• Claims Management : report and monitor claims with insurance companies to guarantee the repair of damage suffered by the building.

These missions aim to guarantee the good management and preservation of the building as well as the well-being of the co-owners.

Yes, the condominium trustee is mandatory for all condominiums in France. The law imposes its presence in order to guarantee rigorous and transparent management of common goods and expenses. It is the trustee who ensures the administration of the building and ensures its proper maintenance, by applying the condominium regulations.

However, there are several types of trustees:

1. The professional trustee : a specialized company mandated by the general meeting of co-owners.
2. The volunteer trustee : a co-owner elected by the other co-owners to manage the condominium.
3. The cooperative trustee : a hybrid form where several co-owners, organized into a union council, manage the building themselves.

The absence of a trustee is illegal and can have consequences for the condominium, such as the impossibility of subscribing to insurance contracts or carrying out work. If a condominium is left without a trustee, the court may appoint a provisional administrator to re-establish management.

Changing the condominium trustee requires following a precise process in order to comply with the legal rules in force. The first step is to consult the co-owners to assess their satisfaction with the current trustee and discuss the possibility of replacing him. Once a consensus has been reached, it is important to compare the offers of several professional trustees. This comparison makes it possible to assess the services, prices, as well as the responsiveness of potential providers in order to choose the one that best suits the needs of the condominium.

Then it is necessary To register the change of trustee on the agenda of the next general meeting. During this meeting, it is crucial to present the co-owners with the various comparative offers so that they can vote in full knowledge of the facts. If the majority of votes are in favor of the new trustee, the new trustee will be officially elected.

Finally, once the vote has been carried out and validated, it is necessary to sign the contract with the new trustee and to ensure a smooth transition with the former trustee. This includes the transmission of management documents, accounts, and essential information to ensure uninterrupted management of the condominium.

In the event of a problem with your current trustee, several steps can be taken to resolve the situation. The first step is to contact the trustee by sending him a letter or an email to explain the problem clearly and precisely. It is important to document the facts and provide evidence if possible, such as photos or copies of documents, in order to facilitate the resolution of the dispute.

If the problem persists or if the trustee does not respond in a satisfactory manner, you can then turn to the union council of the condominium. The mission of the syndicate council is to monitor the activity of the trustee and to defend the interests of the co-owners. He can act as a mediator and put pressure on the trustee to take the necessary measures.

In the event that these steps are not enough, it is possible to call on a ombudsperson or to a Conciliator of justice to try to find an amicable solution. These professionals can intervene free of charge or at moderate costs and facilitate communication between the parties.

Finally, as a last resort, if the conflict is not resolved, it is possible to seize the Judicial court to request the replacement of the trustee or to obtain compensation for the damages suffered. In this case, it is advisable to be accompanied by a lawyer specialized in real estate law in order to maximize its chances of success.

The cost of a condominium trustee varies depending on several factors, such as the size of the condominium, the location of the building, and the services included in the contract. In general, the fees of a professional trustee consist of two types of expenses: current management fees And the fees for exceptional services.

Les current management fees cover basic tasks, such as administrative management, the organization of general meetings, the maintenance of accounts, and the regular maintenance of common areas. These fees are often calculated per lot (apartment, garage, etc.) and generally vary between 150 and 250 euros per lot per year.

In addition to these basic fees, the trustee may charge exceptional benefits Or additional costs for specific services that are not included in current management. This may be, for example, the management of major works, the treatment of claims, or the management of unpaid invoices. These fees are generally priced by the hour or according to the amount of the work.

In total, the average cost of a professional trustee for a condominium can be between 200 and 400 euros per lot per year, depending on the services selected and the complexity of management. To reduce these costs, some condominiums choose a volunteer trustee Or a cooperative trustee, which are often less expensive but require a commitment from the co-owners to manage the building themselves.