Co-ownership, managing agents and owners' councils
General meetings, service charges, works and disputes: we support managing agents, owners' councils and owners.
A dissenting or absent owner may challenge a general meeting resolution within two months of notification of the minutes; after that, the resolution generally becomes final.
We advise professional and volunteer managing agents and owners' councils, and represent owners in disputes over resolutions, works, charges and nuisance.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to challenge a general meeting resolution?
Two months from notification of the minutes, for co-owners who voted against or were absent. The claim is brought before the court where the building is located.
What can the property manager do about unpaid service charges?
The managing agent (syndic) first sends a formal notice. If it remains unanswered for thirty days, the year's provisional payments not yet due become payable and the syndic can apply to the president of the judicial court under an expedited procedure. The owners' association has security over the defaulting owner's unit, and a forced sale of the unit can be pursued as a last resort.
Official source: Service-Public.fr (official page)
How can a building's managing agent (syndic) be replaced?
The syndic is appointed by the general meeting of co-owners, by the majority required by Article 25 of the Act of 10 July 1965. To change syndic, the appointment of a new one must be placed on the meeting's agenda, together with competing draft contracts; the owners' council (conseil syndical) plays a central role in this competitive process. The outgoing syndic's contract ends on the date set by the meeting.
Official source: Service-Public.fr (official page)
Can a co-owner carry out works in their flat?
Works carried out solely in the private parts are free, provided they comply with the building rules and do not affect the building's use or the other co-owners' rights. However, works that affect the common parts or the building's external appearance (load-bearing walls, façade, shared networks, etc.) require prior authorisation from the general meeting.
Official source: Service-Public.fr (official page)
Insights on this topic (in French)
La garantie décennale ne bénéficie pas au locataire non propriétaire de l'ouvrage (Cass. 3e civ., 19 février 2026, n° 24-11.092)
CAUTIONNEMENT LOCATIF, Agent immobilier soyez vigilant !
