Pays de Loire: their dream of a large apartment has turned into a nightmare – actu.fr

They had dreamed of a souplex in the city center of Saint-Nazaire (Loire-Atlantique), they end up with a property that is half uninhabitable and unsanitary.

It is the “nightmare” that the Dauvé couple, Arnaud and Sarah, and their 4-year-old daughter Enola are experiencing.

In March 2015, these Nazairians acquired an atypical 90 m2 property in a building in rue de Normandie, located between the Paquebot and rue de la Paix.

For 89,000 €, they became owners, for the first time, of a lot comprising a surface on the ground floor, a small apartment, and another in the basement, with the objective of linking the two by the installation of a staircase.

“Already four water damage”

The basement has low ceilings and has minimal exterior openings, never mind.

“During the visit, it was perfect, with a fitted kitchen and bathroom, electricity, heating. It had even been rented before, testifies Arnaud Dauvé, 40 years old. It was only after that that I discovered that the misery had been hidden. “

In January 2018, the hygiene service of the town hall informed them that following a health inspection, a prefectural decree had declared the lower part of their property “unfit for habitation” because, in particular, of a height and a “very insufficient” lighting.

This document, dating from May 2013, marked the culmination of a dispute between the municipality and the former owner, a property dealer, who wanted to carry out work.

“This information had never been brought to our knowledge before and during the sale. The notarial deed did not bear any trace of it ”, assure the Dauvé.

The basement gradually revealed its true nature, that of a cellar.

The humidity eats away at the walls and rises, by capillaries, to the small apartment above where the Dauvés are holed up.

“We have already suffered four water damage. “Ultimate tile, in November 2020, their insurer decided to terminate their contract. “It’s total panic. If there is fire, I am not covered. We could be seized of the only possessions we have left. “

The small family thus lives in total precariousness, constantly on the lookout, and without alternatives.

“We pay € 700 monthly in repayment of loan and condominium fees. We do not have the means to go elsewhere, even for social housing, “laments this warehouse operator.

“Illegal” work

The Dauvés are now awaiting a court decision.

The Adil (Departmental Association for Housing Information) referred them to a specialist lawyer, Me Audrey Babin, who filed a civil action for cancellation of the sale for “hidden defect” and “fraudulent reticence” based on the “concealment” of this. famous prefectural decree and the carrying out of de facto “illegal” development works.

The owner’s defender argued that the elements justifying the order were “apparent and not hidden” and suggested a “strategy” to make the room unsanitary “by leaving the souplex without ventilation”.

“What would be the point of putting yourself in such a situation, with serial water damage?” », Sweeps Arnaud Dauvé. All we want is to leave. And alert potential future owners. ”

The hearing was held on May 27 at the Saint-Nazaire court. The judge’s decision was expected on August 12 but was delayed due to the health crisis.

It should drop shortly.

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