4 reasons why ASL is a popular model in Bordeaux 

In the Bordeaux region, Free Trade Union Associations (ASL) are experiencing a real boom. This flexible and consensual management method attracts many owners, particularly in residential areas such as Caudéran, Le Bouscat or Talence. Bordeaux thus has several hundred ASLs, from small housing estates to large wine estates in the Médoc.

Unlike traditional co-ownerships, ASL allows owners to define their own operating rules. They manage a variety of common goods and facilities: private roads, green spaces, swimming pools, sports fields, etc. This flexibility explains their growing success in the region.

1. Creation of an ASL in Bordeaux  

To create an ASL in Gironde, the owners must meet in a constitutive general meeting. Unanimity is required on the statutes which will set the operating rules of the association: purpose, method of distribution of charges, conditions of voting in the meeting, etc.

A typical example is the Bordeaux housing estates of the 70s and 80s, such as Le Hameau du Lac in Bruges. The owners created an ASL to maintain the green spaces, roads and lighting. By pooling costs, they ensure the sustainability of their living environment.

The statutes are then published in the register of associations of the Gironde Prefecture. The ASL then has legal personality and can act in its own name. It elects a president and a union council to represent it.

2. Daily operation  

On a daily basis, the Bordeaux ASL operates thanks to the involvement of its members. Each owner participates in the annual general meetings to vote on the budget and the work to be carried out. Decisions are taken by majority vote, according to the rules set out in the statutes.

The president or manager mandated by the ASL ensures that decisions are properly implemented. He/she enters into contracts with service providers (gardeners, construction companies, etc.), prepares calls for funds and keeps the accounts.

Let's take the example of Clos des Vignes, an ASL that brings together owners of vineyard plots in Saint-Émilion. Thanks to rigorous management, it was able to finance the repair of access roads to the vines and the maintenance of drainage ditches. A crucial investment to maintain the quality of the terroir.

3. Advantages and limitations of ASLs  

ASLs offer great flexibility in management, appreciated by the people of Bordeaux. They allow owners to control their expenses and investments. This proximity also facilitates decision-making and the resolution of everyday problems.

But ASLs also have their limits. Their proper functioning depends on the commitment and good understanding of the owners. In the event of a conflict, the risk of blockage is real. Without co-ownership regulations, ASLs have fewer legal levers to take action against a recalcitrant owner.

Finally, ASLs may see their purpose evolve over time, requiring a review of the statutes. This is the case when new common equipment is created or when the scope of the ASL expands.

4. Links with co-ownerships 

ASLs and co-ownerships are two distinct management methods, but they can coexist on the same site. This is common in large Bordeaux real estate complexes from the 2000s to the 2010s, such as Bassins à Flot or Ginko.

There is often a general ASL which manages the facilities common to the entire neighborhood (roads, networks, green spaces, etc.). At the same time, each building or block operates as a co-ownership, with its own trustee and regulations.

This overlap can be a source of complexity. Owners are both members of their co-ownership and the neighborhood ASL. They have to juggle two structures, two budgets, two contacts... Hence the importance of good coordination between ASL and trustees!

A successful example is the Ginko eco-district at Lac de Bordeaux. The local ASL and the condominium trustees work hand in hand to provide a quality living environment for residents: maintenance of pedestrian alleys, animation of shops, waste management, etc. A virtuous synergy.

Understand ASLs well to better support them 

ASLs play a growing role in the Bordeaux real estate landscape. Their flexibility and local roots appeal to many owners. But their apparent simplicity should not mask the challenges of their daily management.

For lawyers and real estate professionals, understanding how ASLs work is essential. It is the key to supporting them effectively, whether during their creation, in their day-to-day management or in the event of litigation. An issue that is all the more crucial in a region like Bordeaux, where ASLs shape the face of many neighborhoods.

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