1. Compensable delivery delay
Acquisitions of new real estate or “ on plans » are legally regulated by the Construction and Housing Code. The sale of a building in a future state of completion (VEFA) and the sale of individual houses (CCMI) are the most common methods of acquiring a new property.
In each of these contracts, the law requires that the delivery time be specified in the act of acquisition. In general, the contract provides for a formula such as “ no later than March 31, 2021 " Or " at the end of the first quarter of 2021 ".
Once this date has passed, the purchaser is entitled to obtain compensation.
However, in most new building sales contracts, in VEFA or CCMI, a clause is provided in which the legitimate reasons for suspension of the delivery period are listed.
The causes given are generally the following:
Severe weather Third party appeals relating to building permits Partial or general strike, abandonment of site of a bankrupt company, Covid-19 health crisis Delays from subsurface anomalies
As long as the delay in delivery of the property is caused by a legitimate and justified cause, no compensation is due from the promoter.
Note that most contracts provide for the addition of a clause which has the effect of doubling the number of days of justified delay and which is worded as follows:
" in the event of the occurrence of one of the events mentioned, this would have the effect of delaying delivery of the goods sold for a time equal to double that actually recorded, due to the repercussion on the general organization of the site "
The Court of Cassation, consistently, considers that this clause is not abusive to the detriment of the non-professional or the consumer because it does not provide a significant imbalance between the rights and obligations of the parties to the contract. [1].
However, if certain causes are legitimate, the developer or builder of the individual house must still justify their existence and their causal link with the delivery delay.
If the manufacturer does not justify the delay in delivery with supporting documents, it is up to the purchaser to send him a formal notice by registered mail to provide him with the supporting documents.
For his part, the purchaser must take care to analyze all the supporting documents given and, if necessary, contest them. This analysis phase can be complex and tedious. The assistance of a lawyer familiar with this type of litigation is recommended in order to obtain the best compensation possible.
2. Compensation in the event of delay in delivery
- Individual House Construction Contract (CCMI) : The standard penalty is at least 1/3000th of the total construction price per day of delay.
- Sale in the future state of completion (VEFA) : Current legislation does not provide specific rules for compensation in the event of delay
3. Obtaining Compensation for Late Delivery
When a delay in the delivery of real estate occurs, the buyer has rights that he can assert. If the developer or builder cites legitimate causes to justify this delay, the purchaser must carry out a verification of the facts and, if necessary, issue a formal notice to claim his damages.
It is strongly recommended to consult a lawyer specializing in real estate litigation to obtain specific advice on the damages likely to be compensated, in particular because moral damage remains complex to quantify.
The option of an amicable settlement is often possible. In this context, a settlement agreement may be concluded between the parties, specifying the terms of compensation, including the period covered and the amounts awarded.
In the absence of an amicable resolution, taking legal action becomes essential to assert your rights to compensation.
Maître Zakine: Your Legal Partner in VEFA, available in person or by Videoconference
Investing in a Sale in Future State of Completion (VEFA) is a complex process requiring in-depth legal expertise. Maître Zakine, lawyer specializing in property law and in particular in terms of VEFA, offers you personalized support to secure your investment and meet your specific needs.
Multidimensional Expertise:
Maître Zakine assists you in a variety of disputes relating to VEFA, including but not limited to:
- Delivery delays and contractual implications
- Tax issues and the impact of Covid-19
- Construction defects and implementation of legal guarantees
- Compliance of the area delivered
- Responsibility of the different actors (promoter, notary, etc.)
Flexibility and Accessibility:
Aware that each client has different constraints and preferences, Maître Zakine offers the possibility of face-to-face consultations in his office or via videoconference. This flexibility allows you to benefit from a high level of legal service.
Frequently asked questions
Quels sont les délais pour réclamer des pénalités de retard en VEFA ?
Les pénalités courent à partir de la date de livraison prévue au contrat. Vous devez les réclamer par lettre recommandée dès que le retard est constaté. Pour une action en justice, le délai de prescription est de 5 ans à compter de la livraison effective.
Puis-je obtenir une indemnisation pour retard de livraison si le promoteur invoque des intempéries ?
Oui, mais seulement si les intempéries sont exceptionnelles et non prévisibles. Le promoteur doit prouver que le retard est dû à des causes légitimes. Un avocat vérifiera la validité des clauses de suspension dans votre contrat.
Combien coûte une action en justice pour retard de livraison VEFA ?
Les honoraires d’avocat peuvent varier de 2 000 à 5 000 € selon la complexité. Certains avocats proposent des honoraires de résultat. N’hésitez pas à demander un devis.
Que faire si le promoteur refuse d’indemniser le retard ?
Vous devez d’abord mettre en demeure le promoteur par lettre recommandée. En l’absence de réponse, vous pouvez saisir le tribunal judiciaire. Un avocat vous assistera dans la procédure et la négociation.
Qu’est-ce qu’une clause de suspension légitime dans un contrat VEFA ?
C’est une clause qui permet au promoteur de suspendre le délai de livraison en cas d’événements indépendants de sa volonté (intempéries, grèves, recours de tiers, etc.). Ces clauses sont strictement interprétées par les tribunaux.
