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Paris · Inheritance · Joint ownership

Selling an apartment in joint ownership in Paris

Several heirs, one apartment, and plans that differ: selling, buying out, keeping and letting. What the law provides, and how an independent valuation helps the family decide.

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  • Since 2015independent agency
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  • Licensed estate agentCCI Paris Île-de-France
A common valueA reasoned valuation, sent to all the heirs at the same time, on which each can base their decision.
A neutral positionWe work for the joint owners, not for one heir: the same information and the same reports for everyone.
Every outcomeSale, buy-out, letting in the meantime: we put figures on each option, with the family’s notaire.

What the law says

After an inheritance, the heirs own the property together: this is joint ownership (indivision). Selling the apartment in principle requires everyone’s agreement. But no one can be forced to remain a joint owner: each can ask for the property to be divided.

When heirs holding at least two thirds of the rights wish to sell, they can have this recorded by the notaire; if the others do not agree, the court may authorise the sale. An heir who wishes to sell only their share to a third party must first offer it to the others, who have a right of first refusal.

Buying out the others’ shares

When one heir wishes to keep the apartment, they buy out the others’ shares by paying them a balancing sum (soulte), calculated on the value of the apartment. The notaire draws up the deed of partition, subject to a 2.5% duty. Everything then rests on a value that everyone accepts: this is often where disagreements arise, and where an outside valuation, based on sales in the building, calms the discussion.

Avoiding an auction

Without agreement, a court-ordered division can end in a licitation: an auction ordered by the court, slow and often below market price. An amicable sale, prepared with a shared valuation and a mandate signed by all, is almost always better for everyone. Our role is to make it possible: inform every heir equally, organise the viewings, pass every offer on to all.

Our references

Recently sold by Story’s in Paris

39 homes sold by Story’s in Paris and the inner suburbs; here are the most recent.

Our Paris sales by arrondissement: 18th (7) · 11th (6) · 3rd (5) · 15th (5) · 5th (2) · 12th (2) · 17th (2) · 19th (2) · 1st (1) · 4th (1)

A valuation for the whole family

Give us the address and the number of heirs. We send the valuation to each of them, at the same time.

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Frequently asked questions

Can one heir block the sale?
They can delay it, not prevent it indefinitely. Heirs holding two thirds of the rights can ask the court to authorise the sale, and anyone can ask for the property to be divided.
How is the balancing payment set?
On the current value of the apartment, which the heirs agree together, often on the basis of an independent valuation. The notaire calculates it according to each one’s rights.
Can the apartment be let in the meantime?
Yes, with the agreement of the heirs holding two thirds of the rights for a standard residential lease. We can [manage it](/gestion-locative-paris) and share the rent among the joint owners.
Further reading