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Is deemed unwritten, pursuant to
Droit Immobilier

Is deemed unwritten, pursuant to

📅 Decision of 18 December 2002🔄 Updated on 7 October 2026⚖️ Cour de cassation👁️ 22 views📖 2 min read

Pursuant to Article 43 of the Law of 10 July 1965, a clause in a co-ownership regulation providing that the functions of a member of the syndicate council could only be exercised by co-owners who were up to date with their financial obligations towards the syndicate is deemed unwritten, since any co-owner may be appointed by the general meeting as a member of the syndicate council under the mandatory provisions of Article 21 of the same law.

Reference decision: cc • N° 01-12.269 • 2002-12-18 • Consult the decision →

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

The situation

Pursuant to Article 43 of the Law of 10 July 1965, a clause in a co-ownership regulation providing that the functions of a member of the syndicate council could only be exercised by co-owners who were up to date with their financial obligations towards the syndicate is deemed unwritten, since any co-owner may be appointed by the general meeting as a member of the syndicate council under the mandatory provisions of Article 21 of the same law.

What the law says

This decision confirms the fundamental principles of property law.

Points to remember

  • Strictly comply with the legal time limits for appeals
  • Keep all your supporting documents (title deeds, deeds, correspondence)
  • Anticipate: preventive advice always costs less 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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Legal information

  • Number: 01-12.269
  • Court: Cour de cassation
  • Decision of: 18 December 2002

Keywords

droit immobilierjurisprudenceimmobilier

Practical use cases

1

Co-owner in arrears barred from council

You own a flat in a 12-unit building in Lyon. The co-ownership regulation states that only owners who are up to date with service charges can sit on the syndicate council. You have fallen behind by €850 over six months due to a dispute over heating costs, and the property manager refuses to register your candidacy for the council at the next annual general meeting.

Practical application:

The 2002 Court of Cassation ruling (n° 01-12.269) deems any such clause unwritten, because Article 21 of the 1965 law allows any co-owner to be appointed to the council regardless of payment status. You should insist in writing that your candidacy be accepted, citing this case law. If the manager or other owners object, you can challenge the refusal before the tribunal judiciaire (French civil court). Keep a copy of the regulation and your correspondence.

2

Landlord with tenant arrears barred from council

You let out a studio in a co-owned building in Toulouse. Your tenant stopped paying rent three months ago, so you are €1,200 behind on your own service charge contributions. The syndic (property manager) points to a clause in the building regulations requiring council members to have no outstanding charges, and tells you that you cannot be elected as a council member at the upcoming annual general meeting.

Practical application:

This clause is unwritten under the Court of Cassation decision of 18 December 2002 (n° 01-12.269): any co-owner, regardless of financial situation, may be elected to the syndicate council because Article 21 of the 1965 law is mandatory. You should send a formal recorded delivery letter (lettre recommandée) to the syndic quoting the case and demanding that your name be put forward for election. If the general meeting votes to exclude you, the decision can be annulled in court within two months. Do not let the unpaid charges prevent you from exercising your statutory right.

3

First-time buyer faces invalid eligibility clause

You have just bought a flat in a 1970s co-ownership in Bordeaux. When reviewing the règlement de copropriété (co-ownership rules) before purchase, you notice a clause stating that only co-owners who have paid all charges for the past two years may stand for the syndicate council. As a new owner with no history, the syndic interprets this as making you ineligible for the first two years.

Practical application:

This condition is unenforceable: the Court of Cassation (n° 01-12.269, 18 December 2002) ruled that such clauses are deemed unwritten because Article 21 of the 1965 law gives every co-owner the right to be elected to the council. You can immediately put yourself forward as a candidate at the next annual general meeting. If challenged, cite the case and remind the syndic that the clause has no legal effect. You do not need to wait two years or prove any payment history.

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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