Droit Immobilier

Having noted that the contract

📅 Décision du 20 December 1988⚖️ Cour de cassation👁️ 4 vues📖 2 min de lecture

Having noted that the building contract from which, in its various heads, the debt relied on by the employers against the contractor arose was prior to the judgment opening the insolvency proceedings against the latter, a court of appeal rightly deduced that the employers were obliged to submit to the claims verification procedure and, having noted that they had not complied with it, legally justified its decision to declare their claims inadmissible insofar as they sought payment of sums of money under debts arising before the opening of the insolvency proceedings.

Reference decision: cc • N° 87-10.706 • 1988-12-20 • Consult the decision →

This decision sheds important light on your property law. Here is what it changes for you.

The situation

Having noted that the building contract from which, in its various heads, the debt relied on by the employers against the contractor arose was prior to the judgment opening the insolvency proceedings against the latter, a court of appeal rightly deduced that the employers were obliged to submit to the claims verification procedure and, having noted that they had not complied with it, legally justified its decision to declare their claims inadmissible insofar as they sought payment of sums of money under debts arising before the opening of the insolvency proceedings.

What the law says

This decision confirms the fundamental principles of property law.

Key points

  • Scrupulously respect the statutory time limits for appeals
  • Keep all your supporting documents (title deeds, instruments, letters)
  • Anticipate: preventive advice always costs less than litigation

For an analysis of your situation: 30-minute consultation for €45 with Maître Zakine.

📌 Does this apply to your situation? Maître Cécile Zakine, French real estate lawyer, practises throughout France.
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Informations juridiques

  • Numéro: 87-10.706
  • Juridiction: Cour de cassation
  • Date de décision: 20 décembre 1988

Mots-clés

droit immobilierjurisprudenceimmobilier

Cas d'usage pratiques

1

Landlord unpaid for renovation after contractor insolvency

In June 2023, a landlord in Lyon hired ‘RenoPlus’ to renovate a rental flat for €42,000. Work started in August 2023 but was poorly executed, causing €18,000 in corrective costs. RenoPlus entered insolvency proceedings on 5 January 2024, before completing the job.

Application pratique:

Because the building contract predates the insolvency opening, the landlord’s claim for defective work is a pre-insolvency debt. He must formally lodge his claim with the creditors’ representative within two months of the publication of the judgment opening proceedings. Failing this, the court will declare his claim inadmissible, and he will lose the right to recover any payment from the insolvent company. Immediate legal advice is essential to secure his position.

2

First-time buyer facing hidden defects after builder insolvency

A first-time buyer in Toulouse bought a new-build house in September 2022 for €320,000. In February 2024, serious structural cracks appeared, indicating latent defects. The builder, ‘ConstruSud’, had been declared insolvent on 15 December 2023, after the sale but before defects discovery.

Application pratique:

The defect claim arises from the original sale contract, concluded before the insolvency opening. The buyer must submit his claim to the insolvency proceedings to obtain compensation for the defects, even though the damage materialised later. He should gather all evidence (purchase agreement, expert reports) and declare his claim within the statutory deadline, typically two months from publication of the insolvency notice, to avoid being barred from recovery.

3

Co-owner liable for lift repairs after maintenance firm insolvency

In a 12-unit condominium in Nice, the owners’ association hired ‘AscenseursMed’ in March 2023 for lift maintenance at €3,600/year. A major breakdown in November 2023 required €10,000 in emergency repairs, but the firm had entered insolvency on 1 October 2023. The co-owners had already paid €5,000 upfront before the insolvency.

Application pratique:

The debt for the uncompleted works and the advance payment both stem from the pre-insolvency maintenance contract. Each co-owner, through the syndic, must file a proof of claim in the insolvency proceedings for the amounts owed. The syndic should act promptly to meet the declaration deadline, otherwise the association’s claim will be inadmissible, leaving the co-owners out of pocket. Consulting a lawyer experienced in insolvency and construction law is strongly recommended.

Maître Cécile Zakine

À propos de l'auteur

Maître Cécile Zakine — Avocate au Barreau des Alpes-Maritimes, Docteur en Droit. Chaque article de ce magazine est rédigé à partir de l'analyse d'une décision de jurisprudence réelle, commentée et mise en perspective par les équipes de Maître Zakine.

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