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In Light of a Decision of the General Meeting
Droit Immobilier

In Light of a Decision of the General Meeting

📅 Decision of 30 September 1998🔄 Updated on 6 October 2026⚖️ Cour de cassation👁️ 34 views📖 2 min read

In light of a decision of the general meeting of co-owners approving the division of unbuilt lots in favour of two companies that were previously members of the co-ownership association, a Court of Appeal, having held that the co-ownership association had not performed any act of disposal and had alienated nothing, and that the lots in question had left the original co-ownership to form a separate co-ownership, it being observed that the lots already belonged to the two companies, correctly deduced that, as this was a division provided for in Article 28 of the Law of 10 July 1965, the decision could be adopted by the majority required under Article 25 of that Law.

Reference decision: cc • N° 96-21.904 • 1998-09-30 • Consult the decision →

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

The situation

In light of a decision of the general meeting of co-owners approving the division of unbuilt lots in favour of two companies that were previously members of the co-ownership association, a Court of Appeal, having held that the co-ownership association had not performed any act of disposal and had alienated nothing, and that the lots in question had left the original co-ownership to form a separate co-ownership, it being observed that the lots already belonged to the two companies, correctly deduced that, as this was a division provided for in Article 28 of the Law of 10 July 1965, the decision could be adopted by the majority required under Article 25 of that Law.

What the law says

This decision confirms the fundamental principles of property law.

Key points

  • Strictly comply with the statutory time limits for appeal
  • Keep all your supporting documents (titles, deeds, correspondence)
  • Be proactive: 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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Legal information

  • Number: 96-21.904
  • Court: Cour de cassation
  • Decision of: 30 September 1998

Keywords

droit immobilierjurisprudenceimmobilier

Practical use cases

1

Subdividing vacant plots in a co-ownership development

You own five unbuilt lots within a large co-ownership in Nice, and you want to create a separate co-ownership to develop them into a small residential complex. Other co-owners are blocking the vote, claiming that splitting the estate requires unanimity or a higher majority, causing a year-long deadlock.

Practical application:

This case law confirms that under Article 28 of the French Law of 10 July 1965, dividing unbuilt lots already owned by members of the co-ownership association is not a disposal of common property. Therefore, the decision only requires the majority specified in Article 25 (a majority of all co-owners representing at least half of the voting rights). You should request a general meeting vote under that lower threshold, citing this precedent to overcome resistance and proceed with your project.

2

Separating a commercial building from a mixed-use co-ownership

As a landlord, you own a commercial building with three shops inside a mixed-use co-ownership in Lyon. You wish to manage it independently as a separate co-ownership, but the syndicate insists on a unanimous vote, making the split impossible. The property is valued at approximately €800,000.

Practical application:

Because the commercial lots are already your private property, their separation under Article 28 of the 1965 Law constitutes a division rather than an alienation. The Court of Cassation confirmed that only an Article 25 majority is needed (majority of all co-owners and at least half the voting rights). You can compel the syndicate to call a vote on this basis, using the decision to argue against the demand for unanimity and enabling the split to proceed.

3

Developer retains and later splits undeveloped lots

You have just bought a flat in a new-build co-ownership of 50 units in Bordeaux, where the developer kept ten vacant lots. The developer now intends to separate those lots into a distinct co-ownership, and you worry about future service charges and maintenance responsibilities should the division raise your costs.

Practical application:

The ruling clarifies that such a division, when the lots are already owned by the developer (a member of the original co-ownership), requires only an Article 25 majority (majority of all co-owners representing at least half the votes). As a new co-owner, you can request full disclosure of the financial impacts before the vote, and if the majority threshold is met without your agreement, you may still challenge the decision on grounds of abuse of majority if it unfairly shifts costs to remaining co-owners.

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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