on Google
In Portugal, the condominium management market lives in a dangerous paradox: the greatest asset of families—their home—is managed in a sector where there is neither a professional order nor a mandatory activity license. Recently, in an opinion piece in Observador, the CEO of Condoroo was blunt in classifying the sector’s regulation as a “delayed promise,” highlighting that the market continues to operate without clear, modern, and effective rules.
Find the key ideas from this article here
In this scenario of a legal vacuum, certifications (DECO/Bureau Veritas, APEGAC, or Five Stars) have ceased to be mere marketing ornaments and have become the only real barrier for consumer protection.
The Legal Vacuum: "A Lack of Political Will"
As the CEO of Condoroo pointed out, the sector generates approximately €750 million in Portugal, yet the absence of solid regulation perpetuates chaos and inefficiency. According to the executive, current legislation is “obsolete” and fails to reflect the real needs of residents.
When the State fails to legislate, the market self-regulates through certifications. If there is no “Order of Property Managers” to expel bad professionals, the Rede Condomínio DECO+ seal (audited by Bureau Veritas) fulfills that role. It validates whether a company is transparent and complies with ethical standards that the law, for now, chooses to ignore.
🛡️ Condoroo Tip: In a business sector still lacking state regulation, external certifications serve as the greatest shield to protect your assets and ensure professional management.
Beyond Bureaucracy: Auditing as a Survival Filter
The basics—having insurance, a registered company, and no debts—is the “Olympic minimum.” However, in an amateur market, even the basics frequently fail. The CEO of Condoroo warns that the lack of clear mandatory requirements leaves condominiums “at the mercy of the managers’ goodwill.”
This is where certifications like those from Deco, APEGAC, or the Fixando seal come in. They ensure that “goodwill” is replaced by audited processes.
The Real Value: While the law does not require specific training or financial guarantees, these certifications ensure that the company isn’t just one person with a laptop, but an organization with the structure to manage the growing challenges of modern cities.
"At Condoroo, we know that transparency isn't just something you say; it’s proven through actions and numbers. That is why I consider the renewal of our DECO Certification, audited by Bureau Veritas for the third consecutive year, a fundamental milestone for our clients' trust. In a sector with one of the highest numbers of complaints in Portugal, this distinction guarantees that our processes are rigorous and that your assets are under excellent management, validated by the most demanding entities in the market."
Get a quote in 2 minutes
Looking for a reputable condominium management company
with quality customer service?
Certification as "Sanity Insurance"
The greatest risk of an unregulated market is volatility. Uncertified companies appear and disappear, leaving accounts unsettled. In his article, the Condoroo CEO asks: “How is it possible that a sector directly affecting millions of citizens continues to exist without rules?”
In the absence of state-mandated rules, reputation awards like Five Stars (Cinco Estrelas) or Consumer’s Choice (Escolha do Consumidor) act as a lighthouse. They signal companies that, unlike the “back-alley amateur,” have a name to protect and voluntarily submit to public and technical scrutiny.
For the reader unfamiliar with the backstage of this sector, the distinction achieved by Condoroo in 2026 represents a safety milestone rarely seen in Portugal. By winning the Cinco Estrelas Award, evaluated by over 1,725 homeowners, the company proves it passed the “acid test” of users, being elected by the owners themselves as the best service experience in the market.
However, for those who know that good intentions are not enough, the true differentiator lies in the DECO+ Certification, held for the third consecutive year. While the first award celebrates satisfaction, the DECO seal (audited by Bureau Veritas) is a technical “trial by fire”: year after year, it confirms the quality of our processes and service, with insurance up to date and legal processes followed to the letter. In a market where any amateur can open a business, Condoroo offers the client the best of both worlds—the prestige of a consumer-favorite brand and the rigor of one who undergoes continuous external auditing.
The Cost of "Non-Certification": The Risk of Impunity
Choosing a company without any external seal or certification in a market where regulation is, in the words of Condoroo’s CEO, a “forgotten promise,” is technically a high-risk sport. Without these filters, the condominium is exposed to:
Lack of Accountability: In the current legal vacuum, an uncertified company doesn’t have to answer to anyone. Since there is no state regulator or professional order, these companies operate in an administrative “Wild West” where there are no mandatory audits or sanctions for mismanagement.
Opaque Fund Management: Without scrutiny from entities like DECO or Bureau Veritas, the misappropriation of reserve funds is facilitated by a “labyrinth of legal loopholes.” If the company fails, the homeowner has no certifying entity to turn to for complaints.
Instability and Amateurism: A lack of technical rigor and the absence of market awards (which validate competence) frequently result in poorly managed contracts and avoidable legal conflicts, leaving owners to deal with the losses alone.
Conclusion: If There Is No Law, Demand the Seal
While the promised regulation continues to be delayed by a “lack of political will,” it is up to the homeowners to create their own safety net.
By demanding that a company holds the DECO/Bureau Veritas seal or APEGAC certification, owners are filling the void left by the State. As the leadership of Condoroo aptly summarizes, the complexity of urban management demands professionalism. If the law doesn’t guarantee it, certification must.
Practical Advice: When hiring, do not look at the price alone. An external entity’s seal is the only document proving that the company is not simply taking advantage of a rule-free market to manage your money “at their own discretion.”
Tags :
Share this article:
