Once a year, the owners of an apartment are invited to participate in the general meeting of the co-ownership. But then, what is the purpose of a copro AGM, and how to properly prepare it? MoneyVox gives you 3 tips to help you find your way.
Every year, it’s the same letter inviting you to make yourself available for the general meeting (GM) of the co-ownership. As a reminder, the latter brings together all the co-owners, whether they are lessors or occupants, at least once a year. They are convened by the co-ownership trustee, no later than 6 months after the last day of the financial year.
The co-ownership general meeting is really the backbone of the co-ownership to the extent that it is the moment when all the decisions can be made, they will be able to give the road map for the year, explains Delphine Merle, co-founder of the property management firm White Bird. For co-owners, it’s time to have a bit of an overview of what happened during the past year, and what is planned for the coming yearwhether concerning the work, the increase or not in co-ownership charges…
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In the minds of many owners, this is a chore. If it is not obligatory for co-owners, it is still strongly recommended to attend, because it can give you a lot of information. Here are three tips to best prepare for this highlight of your building.
1- Read your invitation carefully
Before the AGM, all owners receive a notice. Unless there is an emergency, it must be sent at least 21 days before the General Meeting, by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt or electronically with the written agreement of the co-owner. In this document is the agenda, which brings together the list of questions or points which will be submitted to the vote of the co-owners during the meeting. Reading this document can therefore allow you to have information about the subjects that will be discussed.
But reading the summons may be insufficient. Indeed, at the end of the meeting, it is not uncommon for other issues not on the agenda to be raised. Don’t worry, however: in this case, the co-owners will only be able to discuss it but voting will not be possible.
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2 – Make your voice heard
The majority of the topics discussed being planned in advance by the trustee, it is still up to you to make your voice heard. By going to the AGM, you will be able to vote. But not all owners can necessarily make themselves available, particularly landlords who are not domiciled in the same city.
But that’s no reason to ignore it. It is thus possible to authorize a person to be represented. This person will vote for you when the time comes. But another solution also exists: postal voting. It’s a great device, assures Delphine Merle. This allows co-owners who cannot necessarily be there to express their voice. To do this, simply read the invitation, then vote electronically on the subjects that will be discussed.
By reading the report, you are sure not to miss important information
3 – Read the minutes of the AGM
The co-ownership trustee has one month to send the minutes of the AGM. This very formal document is a report which allows you to find all the decisions that were taken during the session. If, despite the previous advice, you did not have time to go to the AGM or look at the invitation (and therefore vote online), reading the minutes will allow you to know everything. It is not very pleasant for an owner to discover when paying the charges that their amount has changed. By reading the minutes, you are sure not to miss important information, concludes Delphine Merle.