The Carrez law and its guarantees

Everything about the Carrez law and how it applies to co-ownerships and property sales in France.

The Carrez law of 18 December 1996 governs the sale of lots in a co-ownership. It applies only to the sale of residential lots in a co-ownership larger than 8 m².

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Stated in the preliminary contract (compromis or promesse) and in the deed of sale, the Carrez measurement is one of the mandatory surveys.

The Carrez area counts the rooms and the square metres where the ceiling height is above 1.80 m. Areas in attics, lofts, under a conservatory or in a loggia are included provided they are private and not common parts of the co-ownership. Balconies, terraces, cellars and parking spaces are not included in the Carrez area of the property.

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If the Carrez area is not stated and the survey is not attached to the preliminary contract, the buyer may ask for the sale to be cancelled. If it is missing from the deed of sale, the buyer may ask the court to cancel the sale within one month of signing.

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If the area stated in the survey exceeds the real area found by the buyer by more than 5%, the buyer may ask the court for a price reduction in proportion to the missing square metres, within one year of completion.