The situation

You're unhappy with your régie. You're not alone.

According to industry research, the most common complaints are: poor communication, slow response times, delayed reports, administrative errors, and surprise fees. Many owners tolerate these issues for years, assuming switching is complicated or that all régies are the same.

They're wrong on both counts.

The legal reality

Under Swiss law (Code of Obligations, Art. 404), a management mandate can be terminated at any time by either party. You cannot be trapped.

However, termination "at an inopportune moment" may trigger compensation claims. In practice, this means: don't quit mid-project without reasonable notice.

Most management contracts in Geneva follow a standard structure:

Respect the notice period and you exit cleanly — no penalties, no drama.

When to consider switching

Five warning signs:

1. Communication gaps — Emails go unanswered for weeks. You learn about problems from your tenants, not your manager.

2. Delayed reporting — Annual statements arrive months late, or contain errors you have to chase down.

3. Slow maintenance — Repairs drag on. Vacant units sit empty because refurbishment wasn't coordinated.

4. Surprise fees — Charges appear that were never explained upfront.

5. Feeling like a number — High staff turnover, no dedicated contact, calls handled with indifference.

If several of these apply, it's time to look elsewhere.

The process

Switching régie is administrative, not complicated. Six steps:

1. Review your contract:

Find the termination clause. Note the notice period and anniversary date. This determines your timeline.

2. Choose your new régie

Get quotes. Compare services. Ask the questions from our pricing guide. Agree a start date that aligns with your exit.

3. Send written notice

Terminate in writing: registered letter recommended. Include: your details, property address, contract reference, termination date. Keep it factual.

4. Coordinate the handover

Your outgoing régie must transfer:

• Tenant files (leases, inspection reports, deposits)

• Financial records (rent collected, expenses, reserves)

• Supplier contracts (lift maintenance, heating, cleaning)

• Keys

• Any ongoing disputes or proceedings

Your new régie should actively manage this process. A good one will.

5. Notify tenants

Tenants need to know: new contact details, new payment instructions, effective date. Their leases don't change — but administration does. Clear communication prevents rent going to the wrong account or maintenance requests falling through cracks.

6. Verify the closing statement

The outgoing régie will produce a final account. Check it. Ensure all balances are transferred correctly. If there's a renovation fund or tenant deposits held, confirm these are handed over.

Common concerns

"What if the old régie makes things difficult?"

Legally, they must hand over all documents and funds. Most cooperate — the industry is small, reputation matters. If they delay, your new régie can follow up professionally on your behalf.

"Will there be a service gap?"

Not if you plan properly. Align your exit and entry dates. A competent new manager will have systems ready from day one.

"What about my tenants?"

They don't need to approve the change — it's your decision. But they do need to be informed clearly. Done well, they won't notice any disruption.

Propevo's approach

We believe onboarding sets the tone for the entire relationship. A painful transition signals more pain to come. A smooth one builds trust from day one.

That's why we've designed our onboarding to take minutes, not hours:

• Simple contract: Review and sign digitally via DocuSign. No paperwork, no printing, no delays.

• Document handover made easy: Upload everything you have. Our system automatically parses, OCRs, and structures your documents into a clean data tree.

• Immediate visibility: Access your property information through our owner portal from the start.

We handle the coordination with your outgoing régie, notify tenants, and ensure nothing falls through the cracks. Modern property management means efficient onboarding — not weeks of chaos while files are tracked down.

Considering a change? Talk to us. We'll walk you through it.

FAQ

Can I switch mid-year? Yes. You may owe compensation for the remaining contract period, but legally you should be able to exit anytime. Most régies will negotiate if you're clearly leaving.

How long does the transition take? Typically 2-4 weeks for document transfer, assuming cooperation. Plan for your new régie to be fully operational from the contract start date.

What if I'm in a PPE (co-ownership)? Different process. Changing PPE administrator requires a vote at the general assembly. You'll need to convince other co-owners.

Is it worth the hassle? If you're experiencing multiple warning signs, yes. The short-term effort pays off in better service, clearer reporting, and often lower costs.