SCI & Legal Structures

The Cour de Cassation's 9 April 2026 ruling is a brutal warning to British couples holding a French property through a small SCI: a tontine clause that covers all the shares makes the SCI null from inception. We unpack the trap, the practical fix that preserves the tax-efficient outcome, and what to do if your existing statutes are at risk.

What the commandement de quitter les lieux must contain, when it can be voided, and the réintégration risk for British landlords. A precise guide to the French eviction notice and the four mandatory mentions of article R. 411-1 CPCE.

How long does it actually take to evict a tenant in France? A 9-step walk-through of every délai, from first missed rent to the bailiff at the door, with realistic timeframes for best, average and worst cases.

From 1 November to 31 March every year, France suspends the physical execution of evictions. A British landlord's guide to the trêve hivernale: dates, exceptions, the L. 412-2 hardship extension, and how to keep the procedural clock running through the winter.