Stéphane Plaza case: dozens of real estate agencies seek to flee its network

While the verdict of Stéphane Plaza’s trial for domestic violence is expected on Tuesday, February 18, dozens of agencies in his real estate network are trying to leave the ship. A question of survival for some, but which has a price.

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Leaving or staying? This is the dilemma to which some of the 655 franchisees agency network Stéphane Plaza Immobilier (SPI) have faced since the revelation, by Mediapart, in 2023, of domestic violence including the star host of M6, co -founder and shareholder at 25.5% of SPI, would have been guilty. While the Paris court will return its judgment on Tuesday, February 18, in the Stéphane Plaza trialagainst whom the Paris prosecutor’s office required 18 months’ suspended imprisonment and 10,000 euros finefor domestic violence on two former companions, the departures of franchisees from Stéphane Plaza Immobilier accelerate, of concordant sources.

“We are in the process of signing contracts with A dozen ex-franchisees spinnate»»indicates to Capital a national network of real estate agencies. Specifying that he had to “Refuse even more candidates” agencies Stéphane Plaza Immobilier not corresponding to its criteria of size or location.

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Cost of exit from Plaza Immobilier and entry fees to competition

Julie, who lives in an average city, was surprised this month to see the agency Stéphane Plaza Immobilier in her repainted neighborhood in the colors of another large network. The latter will also welcome “A dozen former SPI franchisees by summer”he confirms to Capital. “”Several dozen franchisees Stéphane Plaza Immobilier contacted me with a view to leaving the network »recognizes Sarah Laassir, lawyer, who advises them on the methods of exit of SPI.

“Some have already left but many are waiting for the decision (of the court) concerning Mr. Plaza in order to be able to better negotiate their departure with the network. The situation is quite unfair because the Stéphane Plaza Immobilier network requests them money to get out when they precisely need money to reinstall themselves elsewhere, especially if they want to lean on a new network, which is more reassuring in the current context of real estate crisis »continues Me Laassir. “SPI asks me Several tens of thousands of euros To put an end to my franchise contract, and the entrance fees in the new network will cost me 20,000 euros, to which will be added 25,000 euros to transform the agency ”details a SPI franchisee which is about to join a competitor.

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The image of Stéphane Plaza, a force that has become weak

However, for some franchisees Stéphane Plaza Immobilier, “Leaving the network is A question of survival»»assures Me Laassir. Which is confirmed by another SPI agency director, recently gone to competition: “Our bank told us that it would no longer follow our investments because we are a risk brand.” At risk due to poor real estate conditions? Or any consequences of the outcome of Stéphane Plaza’s trial on the image of the network? “A client said to me recently: I give you the mandate of sale of my house but You don’t put the Stéphane Plaza Immobilier panel on it. If I worked for another brand, I would make more turnover ”tells a franchisee.

“The visibility of Mr. Stéphane Plaza, who once made the strength of the network, has become its greatest weakness. It is A crisis that is added to the real estate crisis»»decrypts the lawyer. Insofar as its customers are “Victims of this situation, it is hardly audible, for them, to have to pay to extract them”she concludes. The agency director recently gone to competition acknowledges that he was able to do because he had the necessary cash. He says he is today all the more “relieved” that, in its new network, He saves “9,000 euros per monththanks, in particular, to a lesser monthly royalty and lighter access costs to the dissemination platforms of ads like Seloger and Leboncoin ”.

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M6 not seller of his participation in Plaza agencies

Shareholder 51% of Stéphane Plaza Immobilier, the audiovisual group M6 Would it not also be tempted to bow out, with regard to the problem of image linked to the judicial setbacks of Stéphane Plaza and falling financial results ? Real estate crisis obliges, the turnover of Stéphane Plaza France, the structure which heads SPI, dropped by 15% in 2023, compared to 2022, and net profit plunged 30%according to the latest accounts published by the Company.

According to a source close to the file, M6 could speak in Stéphane Plaza Immobilier on February 19, the day after the verdict of the trial, to exhibit its strategy concerning the network. “The group has never launched a sale and is still not seller “ of his participationresponds M6 to Capital. Solicited by Capital, Stéphane Plaza Immobilier did not wish to make comments.