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The ’syndic’, short for syndicat, is the managing agent responsible for each French apartment block. Paris is famous for it’s tall, stately, often very beautiful apartment buildings - indeed, almost all of the city’s residential property is housed in blocks five or six storeys tall. But all this communal living means plenty of communal space - and plenty of communal problems. To manage this, each building needs a syndic.

When you buy an apartment in Paris you’ll very likely become a co-proprietaire or co-owner - that’s to say, while you’ll own your apartment outright you’ll gain a share in the responsiblity for the block in which your own property is housed. One of the prinicipal roles of the co-proprietaires in each apartment block is to appoint the syndic, who manage the day to day costs and challenges of maintaining the building - the structure, utilities, and any disputes or conflicts which may arise.

There are plenty of professional agencies who take on the managment of apartment blocks, but the role of syndic might equally be fulfilled by an amateur organisation too - sometimes the responsibility is taken on by one of the co-owners. The co-owners are expected to meet at least once a year to review and reappoint, the syndic - as well as discuss and agree the service charges for the year ahead.

Service charges are normally levied on a quarterly basis - it’s another charge, on top of property taxes, of which anyone investing in Paris property needs to be aware.