VEFA delay lawyer
Real estate lawyer in VEFA, Maître Zakine has designed the company Vefa-Retard.com to help you find out if you were entitled to compensation for delay.
Feel free to visit the website vefa-retard.com or directly on the late payment calculator : vefa-retard/questionnaire
The sale of a building to be constructed: the obligation to contractually provide for a delivery period.
The provisions of the Civil Code stipulate that the seller who builds the building has the right toobligation to specify a delivery period in the contract.
The operators of the buildings to be constructed express the delivery period in terms of a specific month or quarter without committing to a specific date.
The planned deadline may be delayed by the effect of force majeure, bad weather, etc., duly noted and established, which entails delays in the construction.
While the Court of Cassation tends to uphold them, as long as the cases are perfectly justified by the developer and the project manager, the Court of Cassation does not consider that the cases are not justified, the time extension clause will not always allow the developer to avoid liability for late delivery.
Indeed, the judges verify that the reason for the increase invoked by the seller-developer is indeed legitimate. It is not enough for it to be mentioned in the additional time clause. It must also justify the delay both in principle and in terms of its quantum.
The time extension clause will not always allow the promoter to avoid liability for late delivery.
A VEFA problem?
Maitre Zakine, lawyer, Doctor of Law is one of the VEFA.
Do not hesitate to contact her to discuss it.
Master Zakine has set up a form to help you calculate your compensation for late payment. vefa-retard.com
Case law example illustrating the judge's objective assessment of the facts: despite the inclusion in the VEFA contract of a clause referring to the failure of a company as a legitimate cause for delay, the opening of a procedure a company working on the site can only justify a delay equivalent to the time required to replace them. In other words, the failure of the project owner to replace the defaulting builder cannot be covered by the time extension clause (Cass. 3e civ. 21 Nov. 2019, no.o 18-22.797).
In other words, the contract, which has become the law of the parties, is not sufficient to exempt the promoter from liability for late delivery. The performance in good faith of contractual obligations is carefully analysed by a judge who also ensures that the interests of consumers are protected.
The clause on the grounds for late delivery is sometimes so long that it is meaningless especially as the promoter is still obliged to meet the deadlines set.
Frequently asked questions
Qu’est-ce que la VEFA et pourquoi un délai de livraison est-il obligatoire ?
La VEFA (Vente en l’État Futur d’Achèvement) est l’achat d’un logement sur plan. Le contrat doit obligatoirement mentionner un délai de livraison, conformément à l’article L261-11 du Code de la construction et de l’habitation, faute de quoi le contrat peut être nul.
Puis-je réclamer des pénalités de retard si le promoteur ne livre pas à temps ?
Oui, si le contrat prévoit des pénalités de retard (souvent 1/3000e du prix par jour de retard). En l’absence de clause, vous pouvez demander des dommages et intérêts en justice.
Quels sont les délais légaux pour livrer un bien en VEFA ?
Le délai est librement fixé par le contrat, mais il doit être raisonnable. En pratique, un délai de 18 à 24 mois est courant. Tout retard injustifié ouvre droit à des pénalités.
Que faire si le promoteur ne respecte pas le délai de livraison ?
Mettez en demeure le promoteur par lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception. Si aucune solution amiable, saisissez le tribunal judiciaire. Maître Zakine peut vous assister dans ces démarches.
Combien coûte une action en justice pour retard de livraison VEFA ?
Les honoraires d’avocat varient selon la complexité. Comptez entre 1 500 et 5 000 € HT pour une procédure. Une première consultation est facturée environ 200 €.
