Real estate enclave: What to do when information is withheld regarding a right of way?

Have you just purchased a property and discovered that a key access road is the subject of a dispute that the seller hasn't disclosed? This article details your legal options in the face of this withholding of information and presents solutions for preserving your right of way. Cabinet Zakine, experts in real estate law in the Gers and Dordogne regions, can guide you through this complex situation.

Understanding the problem of isolation and concealment

The late discovery of a problem accessing your property is a classic case of withholding information in a real estate transaction. This situation can seriously compromise the enjoyment of your property and its value. The Civil Code provides several protections for the buyer, including: in matters of right of way and recourse against the seller's fraudulent reticence.

1. Legal analysis and building a solid evidence file

Before taking any action, it is imperative to rigorously establish the facts and your legal position:

• Collect testimonies former owners and neighbors attesting to the continuous and peaceful use of the path for over 30 years
• Look for documentary evidence : historical aerial photographs, cadastral documents, old plans
• Analyze previous notarial acts to identify any mention, even indirect, of the contested right of way
• Assess the possibility of invoking an easement by acquisitive prescription (continuous and unequivocal thirty-year use according to article 690 of the Civil Code)
• Document the isolation precisely of your plot by demonstrating the absence of other viable access

The constitution of this evidentiary file is essential for all subsequent actions, whether amicable or contentious.

2. Formal notice to the seller for fraudulent concealment

Fraudulent concealment of decisive information (deception) may justify the cancellation of the sale according to article 1137 of the Civil Code:

• Send a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt clearly stating the situation discovered
• Demonstrate the intentional and determining character of this concealment in your purchasing decision
• Remind people of the obligation to provide fair information which is the responsibility of the seller in accordance with article 1112-1 of the Civil Code
• Propose alternative solutions : amicable resolution with restitution of sums or substantial renegotiation of the price
• Set a specific response time (usually 15 days) before considering legal action

This formal step is often decisive and can lead to a resolution without a lengthy procedure.

3. Legal request to open up your property

If you decide to keep the property despite this problem, the French law protects you against being landlocked :

• Enter the territorially competent judicial court to request the establishment of a legal right of way (article 682 of the Civil Code)
• Have an expert report drawn up by a surveyor demonstrating the isolation and proposing the optimal route
• Prepare a compensation proposal reasonable for the owner of the servient tenement, calculated according to recent case law
• Request interim measures if necessary during the procedure to maintain access to your property
• Request the appointment of a legal expert for an impartial assessment of the situation on the ground

The judge will determine the route that is least damaging to neighboring land while ensuring sufficient access to your property.

4. Negotiation of a conventional easement with the neighbor

Alongside the legal route, a negotiated solution often presents significant advantages:

• Organize a formal meeting in the presence of your respective counsel to objectively present the situation
• Offer fair financial compensation in exchange for official recognition of the right of way
• Establish a detailed easement agreement specifying terms of use, possible limitations and sharing of maintenance costs
• Consider the intervention of a certified land mediator to facilitate exchanges and find a compromise
• Suggest practical adjustments (specific coating, secure gate, agreed times) minimizing inconvenience for the neighbor

A conventional easement well drafted by a specialist lawyer like Maître Zakine will ensure the sustainability of your access while preventing future conflicts.

5. Action for liability against the notary

The notary, as a public officer, incurs professional liability if he has failed in his duty to advise and verify:

• Send a formal notification to the notary detailing the observed breach
• Establish the causal link between this negligence and the damage suffered (depreciation of the property, costs incurred)
• Request the activation of your professional civil liability to obtain compensation
• Request either his active mediation in the conflict with the seller and the neighbor, or proportionate compensation
• In case of failure, successively contact the Departmental Chamber of Notaries and then the competent courts

Recent case law is particularly demanding regarding the duty of vigilance of notaries in matters of easements and access to real estate.

A strategic approach to preserving your rights

Faced with this complex situation involving property rights, easements and professional liability, a methodical and legally informed approach is required. property law French offers several complementary avenues of appeal that you can activate simultaneously to maximize your chances of success.

The Cabinet Zakine, with offices in Gers and Dordogne, has recognized expertise in easement litigation and real estate law. Our team will assist you in analyzing your specific situation, building your evidentiary file, and implementing the optimal legal strategy.

To go further: Personalized legal consultation

A in-depth legal consultation with Maître Cécile Zakine will allow you to accurately assess your chances of success and develop a tailored strategy. Contact our firm to schedule an appointment and benefit from our expertise in real estate law and neighborhood dispute resolution.