Purchase of low-cost housing: deferred payment of condominium charges

While Article 88 of the Elan Act of 23 November 2018 aims to facilitate the sale of social housing, an order published in the Official Journal of 8 May 2019 provides for a system whereby the new owner of a low-cost housing unit is not immediately charged with all the costs of co-ownership. It therefore details the possibility of including in the contract for the sale of a low-cost housing unit a clause deferring for the purchaser the transfer of ownership of his share in the common parts for a period not exceeding 10 years (this period starting from 1^era sale of accommodation in the building).

This new provision shall enter into force on 1^er january 2020 should allow the purchaser to familiarize himself with the legal regime of the co-ownership, while avoiding some of its constraints, notably financial, since he does not contribute to the payment of the most important costs related to the conservation of the building (renovation, roof repair...). During this period, the HLM will manage the common parts of the building without applying the rules on co-ownership, assuming the financial burden of the major works of the building alone.