How can we help?
We get a lot of the same questions. That makes sense: as a volunteer syndic, you often deal with the same things. So here you'll find the most common questions, already neatly answered. Saves you time, and saves us repeating ourselves. Efficient — just how we like it.
Any co-owner in a building can become a volunteer syndic. Whether you own the penthouse or a parking space doesn't matter. You can do it as a private individual or through a company. You don't need a diploma or an official licence. What does count: the general meeting of the association of co-owners (ACP/VME) must officially appoint you, and you must be willing to take on all the tasks of a syndic. In practice, co-owners often choose someone who knows the building well and is willing to put time and energy into it. But with a healthy dose of enthusiasm and with Synt, managing the building immediately becomes a lot clearer and more manageable. After all, you have a platform and a team supporting you.
A volunteer syndic is a co-owner who takes on the management of the building. You make sure everything stays in order: the accounting, collecting contributions, maintenance and inspections, documents, the general meeting and following up on the decisions taken there. It might sound like a big job, but with Synt it becomes clear and manageable. Everything is in one system, so you save time and headaches and stay in control, without it turning into a full-time job.
A volunteer syndic is officially appointed at the general meeting of the association of co-owners. There, an absolute majority (more than half the votes cast) decides who takes on the role. It's important that the appointment is recorded in the minutes. With Synt, you always have those documents clearly organised and shared with all co-owners.
By law, the term lasts no more than three years, but it can then be renewed every year at the general meeting. That gives the co-owners the chance to evaluate and, if needed, make a change. With Synt, you can easily show everything that's been done, so that evaluation is transparent and fair.
In most buildings, it's done without payment, simply as a commitment to the co-owners. That saves your building a lot of money. Still, the general meeting can decide to grant a fee — for example a fixed allowance or a reduction of your own contribution. Whatever is decided, you record it in the minutes of the general meeting.
A volunteer syndic must also comply with the basic obligations set out in the law: keeping the accounts, collecting contributions, organising the general meetings and keeping the building legally in order. So you have fewer formalities than a professional syndic, but the core responsibility stays the same. With Synt, you automatically get reminders and follow-up, so you don't lose sight of anything. And we're happy to advise you, so you're properly insured to take on your responsibilities.
You can resign at any time, but it has to go through a general meeting (possibly an extraordinary one). That meeting appoints a successor, and you make sure documents and data are handed over properly. If you work with Synt, everything is centralised and the handover is very easy.
Yes. A volunteer syndic is still a co-owner and so simply has voting rights at the general meeting. Your role as syndic doesn't change that. The only thing you can't do is be syndic and chair of the meeting at the same time. Those two roles can't be combined.
A budget is always an estimate. Sometimes you're spot on, sometimes you come up a little short (or have a bit left over). At the end of the year, that's settled in the statement of accounts. Notice during the year that the cash is running out faster than expected? Then you can always make an additional, justified payment request to the co-owners. Often it's unexpected costs that throw a spanner in the works. With Synt, you always have a clear overview of income and expenses. So you can easily present the situation to the association of co-owners and make decisions based on facts, not gut feeling.
No, a separate contract isn't required by law. The volunteer syndic is appointed by a decision of the general meeting of the association of co-owners. That decision is legally binding and is recorded in the minutes.
In Belgium, the association of co-owners (VME in Dutch, ACP in French) is the legal entity that brings together all the owners of a building. So every building with at least two different owners has one. Every co-owner is automatically a member. The association has three bodies required by law: the annual general meeting, the (volunteer) syndic and the account auditor. By meeting every year, every co-owner keeps their finger on the pulse of how the building is managed. And every co-owner gets an update on the costs of the past (financial) year and a view of the planned costs for the coming (financial) year. Apart from the finances, you can also decide there to have certain works carried out or to appoint suppliers. With Synt, the association gets a shared platform where everything is clear and transparent. No more scattered WhatsApp groups or lost emails: everyone sees the same thing, in one system.
It's not mandatory, but it's strongly recommended. As a volunteer syndic, you make decisions on behalf of the building and can be held liable for mistakes or negligence. Think of a missed inspection or an invoice that was processed incorrectly. Liability insurance gives you protection and peace of mind. Synt helps you with this: we work with insurance partners who offer specialised policies for volunteer syndics.
The biggest risk is being held personally responsible for mistakes or negligence. Managing a building can also quickly take up more time and energy than expected. That's where Synt comes in: we take a lot of work off your hands, make complex matters understandable and make sure you don't forget anything. Add liability insurance to that, and your risks are well covered.
Throughout the year, it's mainly about paying invoices and keeping up with the admin. On top of that, you organise the general meeting once a year. With Synt, all of that goes a lot faster: paying and booking is really simple, document management is clear, and the meeting is prepared in the app and runs in a structured way. So you keep the effort limited and manageable.
Every association of co-owners is required to appoint a syndic, but that syndic doesn't have to be a professional. Buildings often choose a volunteer syndic because a traditional syndic is too expensive or hard to find. So it's not a personal obligation, but sometimes it's the only workable solution. Thanks to Synt, it no longer feels like a sacrifice, but like a clear and doable task.
No. Every co-owner is legally required to contribute their share of the common costs. If someone doesn't pay, the association of co-owners can take legal action. Synt makes this process clearer, and lets you have any legal steps taken without having to get into a direct conflict with your neighbours.
No problem. The general meeting can appoint a new syndic. The only thing that's often tricky is the handover: documents, accounts, agreements… Those are easy to lose track of. With Synt, the handover is simple. Everything is in the app: neatly centralised and ready for the next syndic.
A professional syndic is an external, paid service provider, often managing several buildings. A volunteer syndic is a co-owner who takes on the role in their own building. The advantage is that you know your building and its residents well. The role might feel a bit big at first. But with Synt you get the best of both: you keep the involvement of a co-owner and you get the professional tools and support you need — without a big syndic firm in between.
A traditional syndic costs hundreds of euros a month, even for small buildings. Professional syndics are commercial companies that need to make a profit. So extra costs are often charged for specific tasks. That makes it an expensive solution for small associations of co-owners. Synt offers a much more affordable alternative: you manage your building yourself, but with a complete system that makes everything clear and simple. So you get the benefits of professional management without the high bill.
Yes. We work with insurance partners who have experience with the specific needs of volunteer syndics. So through Synt, you can easily take out a policy that protects you against the risks that come with your role. That puts you in a stronger position, legally and financially too. This liability insurance is paid for by the association of co-owners.
Yes. Through the Synt platform, you can easily report issues and follow them up. Whether it's a broken lift, a leak or a repair to the communal lighting: you log it, assign a supplier and follow its status.
We're not lawyers ourselves, but we know very well which questions often come up. For specialised cases, we can refer you to the right legal experts.
Very simply: we don't like small print. Synt costs €15 per month per unit, with a minimum of €60 per month for your building. Setup is free. Only units such as flats or shops count. Storage rooms or parking spaces don't. No hidden costs, no surprises.
Yes, and that may well be the biggest difference from other tools. We don't leave you to muddle through on your own. We give you a demo of our platform. We put your documents and contacts into the app. And we make sure everything is ready. So you start with a clean slate, without any mess from the past.
Synt has everything you need to manage a building. And nothing you don't. Your accounting, communication with co-owners or suppliers, calendar, planning maintenance… Book your demo here if you'd like to see it for real.
Yes. The app works in Dutch, French and English. So everyone can follow along, even in buildings with a mix of residents.
Yes, the whole app fits in your pocket. You don't need complicated software: you simply manage your building from your smartphone, tablet or computer.
We take this very seriously. We work with modern security standards. Only the people who need access get access. So your data is safe and neatly organised.
Yes. You can request a demo, with no obligation. We show you how it works and what it costs. So you know right away where you stand, without surprises. Request your demo here.
Synt isn't limited to a particular region. Our app and support are available in Dutch, French and English.
Because we built this software for people like you: volunteer syndics who don't want endless hassle, but do want clarity and peace of mind. With Synt, you keep costs low, stay in control and get a system that really works. Transparent, simple and reliable. Our users say it themselves: “It feels like someone is always looking over your shoulder — but in a good way.”
Still have a question? We're happy to help.
Book a 30-minute demo. We'll show you how Synt works, with your building in mind.
Book a demoNo obligations, no surprises.