Loi n° 2025-541 du 16 juin 2025, articles 8 et 9
Journal officiel du 17 juin 2025 – texte n° 1
Faced with the housing crisis and growing office vacancies, the transformation of business premises into housing is emerging as a pragmatic solution.
Until recently, the legal regime of co-ownership was a major hindrance due to the requirement for a unanimous vote of co-owners.
The law of June 16, 2025 changes the situation by modifying the majority rules applicable to change-of-use decisions at a general meeting.
Change of use made easier at last
Prior to this reform, any transformation of offices into housing, when the co-ownership bylaws or the building’s purpose opposed it, required unanimous approval by the co-owners (article 9 of the law of July 10, 1965).
This rule was often dhibitive, blocking reallocation projects, even in the event of prolonged vacancy.
From now on, conversion may be authorized by the simple majority provided for in article 24 of the same law.
This is the smallest majority in 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 offices 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 housing.
Consequences for load sharing
The change of use of private portions has a direct impact on the distribution of co-ownership charges.
Until now, this modification had to be voted by 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 real estate reassignment needs, 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 vacancy,
- better adaptation of the real estate stock to current needs.
For syndics and co-owners, this means increased vigilance on :
- the update of co-ownership regulations,
- management of new expense allocations,
- compliance with legal procedures at general meetings.
🔗 Useful external resources:
- Full text of the June 16, 2025 law on Légifrance
- Loi du 10 juillet 1965 relative à la copropriété (law of July 10, 1965 on co-ownership)
