The co-ownership maintenance log is a mandatory technical document that records the history of works carried out in the building, current maintenance contracts and the characteristics of shared equipment. Maintained by the property manager (syndic), it serves as the technical memory of the co-ownership and allows any buyer to assess the real condition of the building before committing.
Introduction
In Paris, older buildings make up the majority of the housing stock. A Haussmann building in the 9th arrondissement built in 1870 has more than 150 years of technical interventions behind it: facade renovations, roof repairs, pipe replacements, electrical upgrades. The maintenance log consolidates this essential information into a single document. In 2026, after more than 1,200 mandates at Home Select, I can confirm that it is one of the most revealing documents about the quality of a co-ownership, yet one of the least consulted by unassisted buyers.
Table of contents
- What the maintenance log contains
- How to access the maintenance log
- Warning signs for the buyer
- Maintenance log and other co-ownership documents
- What our apartment hunters check
- FAQ
What the maintenance log contains {#contenu-carnet}
Decree No. 2001-477 of May 30, 2001 sets out the minimum content of the maintenance log. It must include several categories of information.
The building address and the property manager’s identity. This basic information identifies the property and provides contact details for the manager. The log also states the building’s construction date or, failing that, the estimated decade of construction.
Maintenance and service contracts. The log lists current contracts covering shared equipment: elevator, collective boiler, mechanical ventilation, automatic gate, intercom, landscaping. For each contract, it specifies the provider, duration and main clauses. In Paris, an elevator maintenance contract costs between 2,500 and 5,000 euros per year depending on the type of unit and level of service.
The history of major works. This is the most instructive section for the buyer. The log records the nature of completed works, their completion date, the companies that performed them and any ongoing warranties (notably the ten-year structural warranty). A facade renovation completed in 2022 protects the buyer from that expense for several years, while one dating from 2005 in a building in the 11th arrondissement suggests a new round of work in the medium term.
Insurance policy references. The log indicates the building’s insurance (multi-risk building insurance) with the insurer’s contact details and policy number. This information is useful in the event of a claim occurring between the preliminary contract and the final deed.
Safety equipment. Dates of elevator compliance upgrades, fire safety installations, asbestos and lead surveys of common areas. In Parisian buildings constructed before 1997, the presence of asbestos in common areas is common, and remediation works can represent significant costs.
How to access the maintenance log {#consulter-carnet}
Several channels allow you to access the maintenance log before purchase.
Request from the seller. The seller must provide the maintenance log as an annex to the preliminary sales agreement, alongside the summary sheet, the co-ownership regulations and the last three general assembly minutes. In practice, it is preferable to review it before making your offer.
Consultation with the property manager. Any co-owner has the right to consult the maintenance log. A prospective buyer can ask the seller to request this document from the property manager. Most Parisian property managers now make the log available through their online portal, which makes access easier for diligent buyers.
Through your apartment hunter. At Home Select, our property hunters request the maintenance log at the shortlisting stage. This allows us to identify buildings with technical shortcomings or upcoming works in advance, and to inform our clients before they even visit.
In 2026, property managers who fail to maintain a log, or who maintain it poorly, are exposing themselves to liability. In practice, however, the quality of the log varies considerably from one co-ownership to another. A complete and up-to-date log is a sign of serious management.
Warning signs for the buyer {#signaux-alerte}
Certain elements in the maintenance log, or its absence, should attract your attention.
A nonexistent or empty log. If the property manager cannot provide a maintenance log, it is an indicator of poor management. The absence of this document, which has been mandatory since 2001, reveals a failing property manager or a poorly structured co-ownership.
No major works for more than 15 years. A Parisian building that has not undergone any significant works for more than 15 years is accumulating a maintenance backlog. Lead or cast iron pipes in older buildings in the 4th arrondissement have a lifespan of 50 to 70 years. Zinc roofing, characteristic of Parisian buildings, needs to be replaced every 30 to 40 years. The absence of works does not mean the building is in good condition: it often means expenses have been postponed.
Expired maintenance contracts. If elevator or boiler maintenance contracts have expired without renewal, the equipment may be insufficiently maintained. An elevator without a maintenance contract in a building in the 15th arrondissement is not only a technical risk but also a regulatory violation.
Expired ten-year warranties without follow-up work. If major structural works were carried out more than ten years ago and the log shows no follow-up intervention, the condition of the works in question should be verified.
Positive asbestos or lead surveys without remediation work. The presence of asbestos or lead in the common areas of a building constructed before 1997 is common in Paris. The lack of a management plan or remediation works signals a health and financial risk for the co-ownership.
Maintenance log and other co-ownership documents {#carnet-autres-documents}
The maintenance log is part of a set of documents that every informed buyer should review.
The summary sheet provides a financial and administrative snapshot of the co-ownership. The maintenance log adds the technical dimension. The two documents complement each other. For example, the summary sheet tells you the amount of approved works; the maintenance log lets you check whether similar works have already been carried out and what condition the structures are in.
The general assembly minutes from the last three years detail the decisions taken by co-owners: approved works, accepted quotes, ongoing disputes. They usefully complement the maintenance log by providing the context behind technical decisions.
The comprehensive technical survey (DTG), when it exists, offers a forward-looking view of the building’s condition and the works needed over the next ten years. It is still optional in 2026 but an increasing number of Parisian co-ownerships are commissioning one, particularly as part of energy renovation projects.
Finally, fund calls and the charges statement allow you to quantify the real cost of the co-ownership over recent years.
What our apartment hunters check {#verification-chasseur}
At Home Select, analyzing the maintenance log is an integral part of our property selection process. Here are the points we systematically verify.
We cross-reference the date of the last facade renovation with the prefectural order in force in the arrondissement. In Paris, facade renovations are mandatory every ten years upon instruction from the city. A building that has not been renovated for 12 years could receive an order at any time.
We check the condition of vertical and horizontal pipes. Replacing water or drainage risers in an older building in the 2nd arrondissement costs between 1,500 and 3,000 euros per unit, depending on the configuration.
We verify elevator compliance with successive safety standards. The upgrades required by the 2003 regulations and subsequent ones have been largely completed, but some Parisian buildings still have outstanding non-compliances.
If you would like to benefit from this expertise in your apartment search, contact us to discuss it.
FAQ {#faq}
Is the maintenance log mandatory in a co-ownership?
Yes. The decree of May 30, 2001 makes the maintenance log mandatory for every co-ownership. The property manager (syndic) is responsible for keeping it up to date. Any co-owner or prospective buyer can request to see it.
What is the difference between the maintenance log and the summary sheet?
The maintenance log details the building’s technical history (completed works, maintenance contracts, equipment). The summary sheet focuses on financial and administrative data (budget, charges, unpaid fees). Both documents are complementary for evaluating a co-ownership.
Can you refuse to buy if the maintenance log is not available?
The absence of a maintenance log is not strictly a legal ground for withdrawal, but it constitutes a failure by the property manager to meet their obligations. It should prompt the buyer to exercise caution and request additional information about the building’s technical condition.
Frequently asked questions
Is the maintenance log mandatory in a co-ownership?
Yes. The decree of May 30, 2001 makes the maintenance log mandatory for every co-ownership. The property manager (syndic) is responsible for keeping it up to date. Any co-owner or prospective buyer can request to see it.
What is the difference between the maintenance log and the summary sheet?
The maintenance log details the building's technical history (completed works, maintenance contracts, equipment). The summary sheet focuses on financial and administrative data (budget, charges, unpaid fees). Both documents are complementary for evaluating a co-ownership.
Can you refuse to buy if the maintenance log is not available?
The absence of a maintenance log is not strictly a legal ground for withdrawal, but it constitutes a failure by the property manager to meet their obligations. It should prompt the buyer to exercise caution and request additional information about the building's technical condition.
