Law no. 2025-541 of June 16, 2025, articles 8 and 9
Official Journal of June 17, 2025 – text no. 1
Faced with the housing crisis and growing office vacancies, converting business premises into housing is a pragmatic solution.
Until recently, the legal system governing co-ownership was a major obstacle, requiring a unanimous vote by the co-owners.
The law of June 16, 2025 changes the situation by modifying the majority rules applicable to change-of-use decisions at general meetings.
Change of use made easier at last
Prior to this reform, any conversion of office space into residential units, where the co-ownership regulations or the purpose of the building precluded it, required the unanimous agreement of the co-owners(article 9 of the law of July 10, 1965).
This rule was often prohibitive, blocking redevelopment projects, even in the event of prolonged vacancy.
Henceforth, conversion may be authorized by the simple majority stipulated in article 24 of the same law.
This is the smallest majority for collective decisions in co-ownership.
This legislative change aims to unblock frozen situations, while maintaining minimal control by the general meeting of co-owners.
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A well-defined scope of application
This relaxation applies only to the conversion of office space into housing.
Commercial premises are expressly excluded, in order to preserve :
- the vitality of town centers,
- access to local services for residents.
The transformation remains subject to two conditions:
- The absence of an opposition clause in the co-ownership by-laws.
- A building destination compatible with residential use.
Consequences for load sharing
Changes in the use of private areas have a direct impact on the apportionment of condominium charges.
Until now, such changes had to be approved by an absolute majority (article 25) of the 1965 law.
To ensure consistency with article 9, the law of June 16, 2025 now lowers this requirement to a simple majority (article 24), but only when the conversion concerns offices converted into housing.
What this means for condominium owners and investors
These adjustments provide a concrete response to the need for property reallocation, while maintaining a balance between management flexibility and protection of co-owners’ rights.
For real estate investors, this opens the door to :
- a valuation of vacant properties,
- the possibility of reducing rental vacancies,
- better adaptation of the real estate stock to current needs.
For managing agents and co-owners, this means increased vigilance with regard to :
- updating condominium by-laws,
- management of new expense allocations,
- compliance with legal procedures at shareholders’ meetings.
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