The owner of a flat in a block of flats in Nice (Alpes-Maritimes) has not been able to live there for two years. His electricity meter absolutely has to be repaired, but he is staying with his neighbor, who is stubbornly refusing him access.
The problem could have been resolved in a few hours. However, the dispute has been going on for two years. As reported by BFM TV, a resident of the Saint-Philippe district in Nice (Alpes-Maritimes) has been deprived of his apartment for too many months. His electricity meter is broken and he needs it repaired.
The snag is that his neighbor does not agree: “My electricity meter is inside his apartment,” the owner whispers. It is impossible to access it, since the neighbor refuses entry. The neighborhood dispute continues to escalate: threats have allegedly been made and unauthorized work has been carried out.
“We offered to pay for it.”
This owner, who has been deprived of electricity, is forced to live with a neighbor or with his family: “The only way to get electricity back is to have a new meter installed at my own expense,” he explains.
Anxious to respect the rules of co-ownership, the resident offered to have a proper renovation carried out according to the rules of the trade. The neighbor would not have to pay a cent, but he refuses to open his door… “We offered to pay for the entire cost of the work since it is a private use on our side. He has systematically voted against it…”
Towards a (long) legal procedure
As part of the proceedings, an expert will visit the site to assess whether the planned work complies with the standards: “Either we can find an amicable solution, which is what we hope for with our new neighbors. If not, we will have to take the matter to court. The court case, basically, is a particularly long procedure that will take months, even a year, a year and a half,” warns Fiona Starzak, a lawyer at the Grasse bar. The multiple attempts at conciliation have not, for the time being, led to a solution.
