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When the administrative authority has
Droit Immobilier

When the administrative authority has

📅 Décision du 12 November 1987⚖️ Cour de cassation👁️ 19 vues📖 2 min de lecture

When the administrative authority has legally ordered a co-ownership syndicate of a building represented by its managing agent, a public limited company, to carry out works relating to flue ducts, the legal representative of that company is, in the absence of delegation of authority, solely criminally liable for the failure to execute such works.

Reference decision: cc • No. 87-80.259 • 1987-11-12 • Consult the decision →

This decision provides important insight into your property law. Here is what it means for you.

The situation

When the administrative authority has legally ordered a co-ownership syndicate of a building represented by its managing agent, a public limited company, to carry out works relating to flue ducts, the legal representative of that company is, in the absence of delegation of authority, solely criminally liable for the failure to execute such works.

What the law says

This decision confirms the fundamental principles of property law.

Key points

  • Scrupulously observe the statutory time limits for appeal
  • Keep all your supporting documents (deeds, documents, correspondence)
  • Plan ahead: preventive advice always costs less than litigation

For an analysis of your situation: 30-minute consultation at €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: 87-80.259
  • Juridiction: Cour de cassation
  • Date de décision: 12 novembre 1987

Mots-clés

droit immobilierjurisprudenceimmobilier

Cas d'usage pratiques

1

Co-owner in Nice faces unfulfilled safety works order

In a 12-unit building in Nice, the co-ownership syndicate’s managing agent (a public limited company) ignored an administrative order to repair hazardous flue ducts by 1 June 2024. One co-owner’s flat has since developed damp, and the estimated repair levy is €2,800 per lot.

Application pratique:

Under the 1987 decision, the managing agent’s legal representative is personally criminally liable if they did not formally delegate responsibility for executing the works. As a co-owner, you should immediately request written proof of delegation from the syndicate, file a criminal complaint with the public prosecutor if none exists, and jointly instruct a bailiff to record the non-compliance, which can help force compliance or support an insurance claim.

2

First-time buyer in Lyon inherits an outstanding works order

A couple bought a flat in Lyon in March 2024, only to discover that a pre-sale administrative order requiring flue duct repairs by the syndicate was never executed. The managing agent’s director claims an employee was verbally tasked with it, but no formal delegation exists.

Application pratique:

Because the case law confirms that only a proper delegation of authority absolves the legal representative of criminal liability, the director remains liable. You should demand a copy of any delegation document, notify your notary of potential non-disclosure during the sale, and join other co-owners to formally put the managing agent in default. If unresolved, a criminal complaint and a claim for damages against the managing agent may be your next steps.

3

Property manager in Marseille wants to avoid personal liability

A director of a property management company in Marseille has just received an administrative order for flue duct works in a building her firm manages. She is concerned about criminal liability, as a previous similar case in her firm resulted in a €10,000 fine for another director.

Application pratique:

To avoid personal criminal liability, you must issue a written, dated and signed delegation of authority to a qualified employee, clearly defining their responsibility for executing such administrative orders. Ensure the delegate has the necessary skills, budget and authority. Keep this document in your records and review it annually, as informal arrangements will not protect you from prosecution under the principle established by the 1987 decision.

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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