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In a tourist residence placed
Droit Immobilier

In a tourist residence placed

📅 Decision of 22 May 2025🔄 Updated on 5 October 2026⚖️ Cour de cassation👁️ 6 views📖 2 min read

In a tourist residence subject to the status of co-ownership of built buildings, neither the requirement of a single operator provided for by Article D. 321-2 of the Tourism Code nor the inclusion in a commercial lease granted by a co-owner, who cannot transfer more rights than he has, of a clause 'subrogating' the operator in his rights and actions against the builders and their insurers, have the effect of depriving a co-owners' association of its standing to act against them in order to obtain compensation for damage affecting the common parts of the building

Reference decision: cc • N° 23-19.544 • 2025-05-22

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

The situation

In a tourist residence subject to the status of co-ownership of built buildings, neither the requirement of a single operator provided for by Article D. 321-2 of the Tourism Code nor the inclusion in a commercial lease granted by a co-owner, who cannot transfer more rights than he has, of a clause 'subrogating' the operator in his rights and actions against the builders and their insurers, have the effect of depriving a co-owners' association of its standing to act against them in order to obtain compensation for damage affecting the common parts of the building

What the law says

This decision confirms the fundamental principles of property law.

Key points

  • Strictly comply with the statutory time limits for bringing an action
  • Keep all your supporting documents (title deeds, deeds, correspondence)
  • Anticipate: preventive advice always costs less than litigation

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Legal information

  • Number: 23-19.544
  • Court: Cour de cassation
  • Decision of: 22 May 2025

Keywords

droit immobilierjurisprudenceimmobilier

Practical use cases

1

Co-owner in a leaseback tourist residence with building defects

You bought a studio flat in a residence in Nice in 2018 as a leaseback investment, operated by a single management company. Common areas (roof, corridors) have serious water leaks, and the management company says only it can sue the builder because of its exclusive operating lease. You want the co-owners' association to take action.

Practical application:

This decision confirms that the co-owners' association retains standing to sue builders and insurers for damage to common parts, despite any single operator requirement or subrogation clause in the management lease. Gather all evidence of defects (photos, expert reports, correspondence) and check the statutory time limits (e.g., 10-year decennial liability from acceptance of works). Do not rely on the management company's assertion; instead, request the association's syndic to call a general meeting to vote on legal action.

2

Landlord who leased commercial premises to a single operator

You own a commercial unit within a tourist residence in Biarritz and leased it to the sole operator in 2020. The lease included a clause subrogating the operator to your rights against the builders for any construction defects. Now significant structural cracks appear in the building's common areas, but you assumed you had no personal right to claim.

Practical application:

The ruling clarifies that the subrogation clause in your commercial lease does not strip the co-owners' association of its standing to sue the builders and insurers for common area damage. As a co-owner, you can participate in and support the association's legal action. Keep all lease documents, title deeds, and any correspondence about the defects, and immediately notify the syndic to ensure the association initiates proceedings within the applicable limitation periods (e.g., decennial liability).

3

First-time buyer considering a flat in a tourist residence with known defects

You are about to sign a reservation contract for a holiday flat in a residence in Cannes built in 2015. The seller discloses that there were past water ingress issues in common areas, and the current single operator has an exclusive lease with a clause that supposedly transfers all legal rights to it. You are unsure whether you could ever claim against the builder if problems recur.

Practical application:

This case law assures you that, as a future co-owner, the co-owners' association can still sue the builders and insurers for common area defects regardless of any single operator arrangement or subrogation clause. Before purchasing, review the association's meeting minutes to see if any legal action is ongoing or time-barred (e.g., decennial liability expires 10 years after completion), and verify the syndic has kept proper records of past defects. Consider adding a condition precedent in your purchase contract requiring the seller to provide evidence of no unresolved structural claims.

Maître Cécile Zakine

About the author

Maître Cécile Zakine — Lawyer at the Alpes-Maritimes Bar, Doctor of Law. Every article in this magazine is based on the analysis of a real court decision, commented and put into perspective by Maître Zakine’s team.

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Disclaimer: The analysis presented on this site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute personalised legal advice. For advice tailored to your situation, contact a qualified lawyer.

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