The co-ownership regulation that

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

The situation

The co-ownership regulation that determines the purpose of the private portions cannot impose any restrictions on the rights of the co-owners beyond those justified by the purpose of the building. The Court of Appeal legally justifies its decision after noting that the co-ownership regulation unambiguously defined one of the units as a cellar, thus clearly establishing its purpose, and that the co-owner in question had converted this cellar into a games room-library and had it connected to his flat, decides that these works and this unilateral change of use of the private portions of that co-owner's unit infringed the rights of the other co-owners and the purpose of the building.

What the law says

This decision confirms the fundamental principles of property law.

Key points

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

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