Who's Right?Can you leave a stroller in your building's lobby?
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In short
In France, it mainly depends on the building's co-ownership rules, which set how the lobby can be used. If they say nothing, the law still lets residents use common areas, but only without harming the rights of other residents.
Both sides
I live on the third floor with no lift and an eight-month-old baby. Carrying the stroller up every day, on top of the baby and the shopping, just isn't possible for me. There's no stroller room in the building, so I fold it and keep it against the wall by the mailboxes. It doesn't block the door, and I take it out every morning. I honestly don't see the problem.
The lobby is narrow and it's the only way in for everyone. With the stroller there, I have to squeeze past with my shopping trolley, and so do delivery drivers. If we allow one stroller, tomorrow it'll be three bikes and a scooter. And in an emergency, that passage needs to stay clear. I get that she's exhausted, but the lobby isn't a storage room.
The verdict
Laurent has the stronger argument. The lobby is a common area: everyone can use it, but not in a way that gets in other people's way. A stroller parked there all the time in a narrow passage is a real everyday nuisance. And his worry that other things will follow isn't far-fetched.
Aïcha isn't wrong on everything. She's making an effort: the stroller is folded, against the wall, away from the door. And the lack of a storage room is a real problem for the whole building, not a whim. But a genuine difficulty doesn't give anyone the right to take over part of the lobby.
Above all, it's not up to the two of them to decide. The building's co-ownership rules set the rule. Instead of arguing on the stairs, they'd do better to read those rules together and take the issue to the building manager.
The compromise
Starting tomorrow, Aïcha and Laurent read the co-ownership rules together. If nothing forbids it, Aïcha keeps the folded stroller in one agreed spot that doesn't narrow the passage. Either way, they write to the building manager together to ask for a stroller space to be discussed at the next general meeting.
What the rules say
In France, the lobby of a co-owned building is one of the common areas, meaning the parts set aside for the use or benefit of all co-owners, or of some of them (Article 3 of the law of 10 July 1965). Each co-owner can freely use the common areas, as long as they don't harm the rights of other co-owners or the building's intended use (Article 9 of the same law). The co-ownership rules (règlement de copropriété) set the purpose of the common areas and how they can be used. So they can ban or limit leaving items such as strollers in the lobby. The rule varies from one building to another, and this is the first document to check. Changing the rules on how common areas are used requires a vote at the general meeting by the double majority known as "Article 26". If you rent, also ask your landlord which rules apply in the building.
Sources:
- Article 9 - Loi n° 65-557 du 10 juillet 1965 fixant le statut de la copropriété des immeubles bâtis (legifrance.gouv.fr)
- Chapitre I : Définition et organisation de la copropriété. (Articles 1 à 16-2) (legifrance.gouv.fr)
- Règlement de copropriété (service-public.gouv.fr)
General information, not legal advice.
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Frequently asked questions
Can the co-ownership rules ban strollers in the lobby?
Yes. They set how the common areas can be used, so they can forbid leaving items there or set aside a specific spot for strollers. Ask the building manager for a copy if you don't have one.
What if the rules say nothing about strollers?
The law still applies: everyone can use the common areas, as long as they don't harm other co-owners' rights or the building's intended use. So a stroller that really blocks the way is still a problem, even without a written rule.
How can we get a stroller room or stroller space?
Write to the building manager and ask for the issue to be put on the general meeting's agenda. If it means changing the rules on how common areas are used, it needs a vote by the double majority known as "Article 26".
Can a neighbour move or remove my stroller?
It's best not to: handling a neighbour's belongings almost always reignites the conflict. The better route is to talk first, then go through the building manager or landlord if nothing changes.
Guide Disputes between neighbors: the guide
Written with the help of AI · This is not legal advice. How Who's Right decides
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