Europe: Directives on property management

The European Union does not have unified civil law governing co-ownership, each Member State maintaining its own legislation. However, several European directives directly impact property management and syndics.

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) obliges condominiums to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings. It requires energy performance diagnostics and the renovation of buildings considered 'energy sieves'.

The Energy Efficiency Directive establishes obligations regarding the individualization of heating and domestic hot water costs, obliging syndics to install individual meters in buildings with collective heating.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) also applies to syndics, who collect and process co-owners' personal data. They must ensure the security of this data and respect the rights of access and rectification.

Finally, consumer protection directives influence the contracts concluded between co-owners' syndicates and service providers, guaranteeing greater transparency and fairness.