Knowing the exact size of the private area of your apartment or home in a condominium is essential to ensuring a smooth transaction and avoiding unpleasant surprises.<\/p>\n
Our real estate agency in Paris's 16th arrondissement<\/a>, our CENTURY 21 Auteuil Immobilier and Auteuil Seine offices will explain the Carrez Law to you\u2014a key consideration whenever you\u2019re buying or selling a property in condominium<\/a>.<\/p>\n Law No. 96-1107 of December 18, 1996, known as the Carrez Law, established a precise definition of the \u201cprivate area\u201d of condominium units. Its purpose is to protect buyers from exaggerated or imprecise area measurements listed in deeds of sale.\u00a0<\/p>\n Specifically, the Carrez area must be indicated in all sales documents (preliminary sales agreement<\/a>, compromise<\/a>, notarized document<\/a>) and corresponds to the floor area of enclosed and covered spaces, after deducting walls, partitions, steps, utility shafts, stairwells, and door and window openings.<\/p>\n The Carrez Law applies only to condominium units of at least 8 m\u00b2:<\/p>\n However, the following are not covered: single-family homes that are not part of a condominium, lots smaller than 8 m\u00b2, basements, parking spaces, garages, barns, or building lots. Off-plan sales (VEFA) are subject to a different set of rules.<\/p>\n The Carrez calculation involves measuring the floor area of enclosed, covered private rooms with a ceiling height of at least 1.80 m. The following are excluded:<\/p>\n The following are also excluded:<\/p>\n In practice, each room is measured on the floor, and then adjustments are made to determine the private area to be listed in the deed of sale.<\/p>\n The living area (Boutin law) and the Carrez area are similar, but do not cover exactly the same elements. The Carrez area includes the following, provided they are at least 1.80 m high:<\/p>\n The living space<\/a>, which is used primarily for rentals, excludes these ancillary areas. It is therefore generally smaller than the Carrez area. For sales, the Carrez area is used; for rentals, the Boutin law applies.<\/p>\n The Carrez measurement must be completed before the property is put up for sale, so that the floor area can be included in the preliminary sales agreement and, ideally, in the real estate listing. In theory, the seller can perform the measurement themselves. However, the method is technical, especially when there are attic rooms or complex floor plans.<\/p>\n In practice, it is strongly recommended to hire a real estate inspector or a licensed surveyor. This professional takes measurements in accordance with regulations, verifies the condominium documents, and issues a Carrez Law area certification under their civil liability.<\/p>\n The cost of a Carrez Act appraisal varies depending on the size and type of property: as a general guide, expect to pay between \u20ac80 and \u20ac150 for an apartment, and between \u20ac160 and \u20ac200 for a condominium. Package deals that combine several diagnostics<\/a> (asbestos<\/a>, DPE, electricity<\/a>, etc.) often help lower the total bill.<\/p>\n Good to Know<\/strong> : The Carrez certificate has no expiration date. It remains valid as long as the private area remains unchanged. In the event of renovations that affect the floor area (such as removing or adding partitions, installing a staircase, expanding the space, or enclosing a loggia), a new measurement is required.<\/p>\n The law allows for a margin of error of 5% in favor of the seller. If the actual area is more than 5% less than that stated in the deed of sale, the buyer has one year from the date the notarized deed is signed to request a price reduction proportional to the missing square meters (as well as, if applicable, a portion of the notary fees).<\/p>\n Since 2023, the housing tax has been eliminated for primary residences, but it remains payable on secondary residences.<\/p>\n It, too, is calculated based on the property\u2019s assessed rental value, to which rates set by the municipality are applied. Some cities, particularly those in high-demand or highly sought-after areas such as Paris, may set:<\/p>\n As the owner of a second home in the 16th arrondissement, it is therefore important to factor this tax into your overall budget for purchasing and maintaining the property.<\/p>\n The main risks for the seller are:<\/p>\n For buyers, the Carrez Law provides transparency and security: floor area is measured using a standardized method, allowing for objective comparisons between properties and verification that the price is reasonable. In the event of a significant error, buyers have recourse.<\/span><\/p>\n For the seller, the main advantage lies in the security of the transaction when it is based on an inspection conducted by an insured professional. The limitations mainly stem from the cost of the measurement and the fact that certain areas that are important for everyday use (balconies, patios, rooms with low ceilings) are not included in the calculation, which can sometimes provide an incomplete picture of the property.<\/span><\/p>\n Before signing a purchase offer, it is wise to:<\/p>\n Our advisors can also help you analyze these documents and assess whether the advertised square footage, floor plan, and asking price are consistent.<\/p>\n Our CENTURY 21 Auteuil Immobilier and CENTURY 21 Auteuil Seine offices provide daily support to sellers and buyers on all matters related to the Carrez Law in the 16th arrondissement. We connect you with reputable inspection professionals, verify the documents provided, ensure your preliminary sales agreements are secure, and help you determine the fair market value of your property based on its actual private living area.<\/p>\n Our team is here to answer any questions you may have about your real estate projects\u2014whether you\u2019re selling, buying, or managing rental properties. Please feel free to contact our two real estate agencies, CENTURY 21 Auteuil Immobilier and CENTURY 21 Auteuil Seine, by phone at 01 42 15 16 21 or 01 56 07 16 21, or by email: auteuil@century21.fr<\/a> or auteuilseine@century21.fr<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Biens concern\u00e9s, calcul de la surface privative, co\u00fbt du diagnostic et risques en cas d’erreur de mesurage.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":2207,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-215","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-conseils"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat is the Carrez Law?<\/h2>\n
Which properties are subject to the Carrez Law?<\/h2>\n
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How do you calculate the Carrez area?<\/h2>\n
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What is the difference between living area and Carrez area?<\/h2>\n
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When should a Carrez Act assessment be conducted, and who can perform it?<\/h2>\n
How much does a Carrez Act assessment cost, and how long is it valid?<\/h2>\n
What happens if there is an error in the Carrez area measurement?<\/h2>\n
How does the housing tax work for second homes?<\/h2>\n
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What are the penalties and risks for failing to comply with the Carrez Law?<\/h2>\n
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What are the advantages and limitations of the Carrez Law?<\/h2>\n
How can you verify the Carrez area before buying a property?<\/h2>\n
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How can our CENTURY 21 Auteuil and Auteuil Seine offices help you?<\/h2>\n