Droit Immobilier

Any interested co-owner may, at

📅 Décision du 12 June 1991⚖️ Cour de cassation👁️ 3 vues📖 2 min de lecture

Any interested co-owner may, at any time, have the non-compliance of the clauses of the co-ownership regulations with legal provisions established and have an apportionment of charges established in accordance with those provisions. Therefore, a judgment that states that Article 42 of the Law of 10 July 1965 subjects this action to a ten-year limitation period is liable to be quashed.

Reference decision: cc • No. 89-18.331 • 1991-06-12 • View the decision →

This decision provides important insights regarding your property law rights. Here is what it changes for you.

The situation

Any interested co-owner may, at any time, have the non-compliance of the clauses of the co-ownership regulations with legal provisions established and have an apportionment of charges established in accordance with those provisions. Therefore, a judgment that states that Article 42 of the Law of 10 July 1965 subjects this action to a ten-year limitation period is liable to be quashed.

What the law says

This decision confirms the fundamental principles of property law.

Key points

  • Strictly comply with legal time limits for bringing claims
  • Keep all your supporting documents (title deeds, deeds, correspondence)
  • Anticipate: preventive advice is always cheaper than litigation

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

  • Numéro: 89-18.331
  • Juridiction: Cour de cassation
  • Date de décision: 12 juin 1991

Mots-clés

droit immobilierjurisprudenceimmobilier

Cas d'usage pratiques

1

Landlord Challenges 12-Year-Old Unfair Service Charges in Nice

As a landlord renting out a flat in a Nice co-ownership, you’ve just discovered that the allocation of maintenance charges has always been calculated per square metre instead of by the actual use of services, which contravenes Article 10 of the 1965 Law. The current regulation dates back to 2011, and the property manager insists it’s too late to change.

Application pratique:

The Cour de cassation ruling of 12 June 1991 establishes that no limitation period applies to actions contesting non-compliant co-ownership regulations. Even though more than ten years have passed, you can demand an immediate correction of the charge apportionment. First, formally request that the syndic recalculate charges according to legal criteria; if refused, instruct a solicitor to initiate proceedings before the judicial court. Gather all historical charge statements and the original co-ownership regulation as evidence.

2

First-Time Buyer Uncovers Illegal Voting Rights in Lyon Co-Ownership

Having just purchased a flat in Lyon, you attend your first general meeting and notice that some owners hold disproportionate voting rights, with one holding 40% of votes despite owning only 20% of the floor area. This setup contravenes the mandatory proportionality rule of the 1965 Law and has been in place since 2008.

Application pratique:

Under the 1991 precedent, you are not barred by any time limit from seeking judicial annulment of these non-compliant voting allocations. Start by raising the point at the next AGM to have the co-ownership regulation amended; if the majority refuses, you can bring the matter to court at any time. Keep the meeting minutes and a copy of the regulation; a property lawyer can help you file an action to have the voting scheme declared void and replaced by lawful provisions.

3

Co-Owner in Paris Dispute Over 15-Year-Old Lift Charge Allocation

You and several ground-floor co-owners in a Parisian building have been disputing lift maintenance charges for years. The 1965 Law exempts ground-floor units from such costs unless they use the lift, yet the 2009 co-ownership regulation forces equal contribution. The syndic claims that after 15 years, it is too late to challenge.

Application pratique:

The ruling from 12 June 1991 explicitly removes any ten-year limitation for actions concerning the legality of co-ownership clauses. Therefore, you can demand a new charge apportionment consistent with the law, even now. Send a formal letter to the syndic citing this case law and requesting a correction; if ignored, apply to the tribunal judiciaire for a declaration that the current clause is void and for a judicial recalculation of your share. No time bar protects the illegal clause.

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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