The future of co-ownership: self-management with digital support

Self-management works differently today than it used to. Thanks to digital tools, building management is becoming more transparent, better organised and less dependent on one person. The future of the small co-ownership lies in self-management with digital support: less administration, more overview and shared responsibility within the association of co-owners (VME).

Trend 1: Managing your association yourself is no longer the exception.#

The reality is simple: there are too few professional syndics for the number of buildings that need managing. The number of apartment buildings keeps growing every year, while professional building management has meanwhile been recognised as a shortage occupation.

For a long time, self-management was plan B. Today, it is increasingly plan A.

We see this movement especially in small and medium-sized buildings:

• syndics are giving up
• new syndics turn down small buildings
• quotes are becoming more expensive or more complex

For many buildings, that makes self-management not a choice, but a practical solution. The law requires a syndic, but does not prescribe that this must be a professional party. A co-owner can take on that role perfectly well.

What is new: associations increasingly see self-management less as a "temporary emergency scenario". More and more often, it is a deliberate choice.

Trend 2: Costs are the trigger, but transparency is the real reason#

Many buildings start the conversation about self-management from the angle of saving costs. Logical. Syndic fees are not fixed by law and quickly add up.

And yes, self-management can be cheaper. But that is not why it keeps working.

Because those who actually switch to self-management discover something else: transparency counts for more than saving money.

When co-owners:

• see exactly where the money goes
• understand why decisions are taken
• can easily consult documents and figures
• and talk to each other about it more often

a large part of the frustration in co-ownership disappears. Many conflicts in co-ownership don't arise from ill will, but from a lack of clarity.

Trend 3: From "that one person" to a shared responsibility#

In the past, self-management almost always revolved around one person:

• the neighbour with a spreadsheet
• the retiree with time on their hands
• the "I'll do it" neighbour

If that person dropped out, everything ground to a halt. Today we see a clear shift:

• less dependent on individuals
• handy processes
• everything centrally in one place

Self-management is evolving from a personal effort into a shared system.

That makes it feasible. And sustainable.

For example, Marc on the first floor is stronger with figures and keeps track of the building's accounts. Meanwhile, Luc on the ground floor is more the building's handyman and takes care of the more practical matters. Together, the management becomes manageable and everyone can put their abilities to good use.

Trend 4: Digitalisation finally makes self-management workable#

An association of co-owners is really a small organisation:

• with budgets
• decisions
• legal obligations
• and people with different interests

Without structure, that is difficult and sometimes grinds to a halt. Digital tools provide:

• one central place for documents
• clear communication
• understandable finances
• automatic follow-up of tasks and deadlines
• reminders for what matters
• an overview for all co-owners

Trend 5: A sense of community without meeting stress#

Well-organised self-management does something unexpected: it improves cooperation in the building.

Not because everyone suddenly becomes best friends. But because:

• agreements are clear
• decisions are visible
• no one has to guess what is happening

Self-management works because everyone knows how their building works.

Where does Synt fit into this story?#

Synt is not a syndic. Synt does not take the management off your hands. Synt supports volunteer syndics and associations of co-owners by:

• structuring administration and finances
• centralising and organising communication
• making decisions and figures easy to follow

That makes managing your building yourself feasible and transparent. Without it becoming a second job.