Comparison
Self-managed vs professional syndic
Hiring a professional manager (syndic) removes work — and adds cost, distance, and sometimes friction. Here's the trade-off, with no pitch either way.
| Feature | Self-managed | Professional syndic |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | €0 – small admin costs | €15 – €40 per unit / month |
| Legal expertise on tap | You research it | Included |
| Independence from vendors | You choose everything | Often bundled providers |
| Time commitment | 5–15 hrs/month for the board | 1–2 hrs/month |
| Accountability | Direct — owners run it | One throat to choke — theirs |
| Continuity when board rotates | Risk of knowledge loss | Manager keeps the file |
| Insurance / large tenders | Owners negotiate | Manager negotiates |
| Fits <20 units | Very well | Often overkill |
| Fits 50+ units | Hard without software | Well |
| With CoCollab in the loop | Cuts board time by ~40% | Owners still see everything |
Self-manage when
Building is under ~30 units, at least two owners are willing to serve on the board for 2+ years, and you're comfortable reading the co-ownership law once.
Hire a syndic when
Building is 30+ units, board turnover is high, there are complex insurance or legal matters, or no owner has bandwidth. Use CoCollab regardless so owners see what the syndic is doing.
Frequently asked
- Can CoCollab replace a syndic?
- It replaces most of the admin work — voting, minutes, notifications, document sharing. It does not replace legal advice or on-site presence. Many buildings use it to reduce syndic hours rather than eliminate the role.
- Do syndics accept using CoCollab?
- Yes. Syndics get an admin login and use CoCollab as their working tool while owners see the same data live — no extra reporting work.
- What if we want to switch from a syndic to self-managed?
- You need a majority vote (rules vary by country). CoCollab keeps the audit trail of that vote, plus every owner record, so the transition is a data export away.
Try CoCollab free
Free during early access. Set up your building in about ten minutes.
Get started free