PEETERSEN & ASSOCIATES LAW OFFICE

Peetersen & Associates law office deals with real estate law, that is to say, renting law, co-ownership law, purchase law and construction law.

Real estate law is a legally recognized specialty that Peetersen & Associates has obtained. Four officies are located among the most famous capitals of EU.

Associates write in major real estate law reviews; most associates are teachers of real estate law for young lawyers in Paris, Brussels and Geneva law schools.

Renting law is very complicated in Europe: there are mainly two law systems: one for family renting, and one for commercial renting; in a general way, the tenant is very well protected by law.

Family renting, or civil renting is based upon laws where contracts have to be signed for 3 or 6 years; during that time, the price cannot be increased more than the construction indices. When the contract comes to its end, it is renewed unless the lessor wants to sold the house or flat, to live in, or if he has a justified and serious ground for not renewing it. If the tenant does not pay, it is possible to get a judgment in order for him to be expulsed, but it takes a very long time.

Commercial renting is based upon laws where contracts are set up for at least 9 years, and when the contract come to its end, it is renewed for 9 years, unless the lessor pays the price of commerce, which is called the compensation of eviction. It is very important to fix a good price at the beginning of the contract, because, after that, it is very difficult to fix a higher price. It is also very important to read carefully every single article of the contract before signing it.

Co-ownership is the legal way the buildings are divided in flats between different owners.
For example, as far as it concerns important decisions about building works, they are decided in general assembly. There is one general assembly a year; its rule of running is the majority; usually, a professional is chosen by the general assembly to run the building; he is called the "syndic de copropriété".

Real estate transactions are essentially ruled by the Code civil in France; it is necessary to ask a notary to draft the contract; each of the parties (seller and purchaser) can have his own notary.

Construction law is ruled by the Code de la construction. The major problems in that matter are insurance problems.

Commercial litigation, real estate litigation, securities litigation and title insurance litigation are also part of our daily practice area.

Of course, from a contry to another, rules and laws may differ, that's why our team is dedicated to provide the most accurate information depending where needed.

For further inquiries, ask directly Peetersen & Associates by mail (desk@peetersen-law.eu) or directly at the different european offices located in the heart of Paris, Brussels, Geneva or Luxembourg.