New shed, veranda, pool: how to declare in France and what time frame Tax authorities have been using AI software to track down undeclared extensions
Tax rises for property owners: French mayors say they have no choice ‘A commune cannot borrow to cover its running costs. We don’t have the right, unlike the central state’
Planning to replace your boiler at home in France? Now is a good time Eco-friendly alternatives will be easier – and cheaper – to install from mid-May Address change deadline looms for one million French homes Medical fees, eco-grants, gas prices: 5 changes this May in France Phone scams, gardening, insurance claims: 5 French practical updates
House ruined by wood-rotting fungus - ‘French insurance will not pay’ Fungus can be swept in through windows and vents and lead to extensive damage. Insurers consider it homeowners’ fault
Heat pump insurance cover downgraded for many home owners in France Wood-burning stoves are also affected following a court ruling
What items can I take to local tip in France? Are any banned? Déchetteries can accept various types of non-household waste
Stay up-to-date: 20 recent and upcoming changes in France We cover tax updates, renovation scheme revamps, possible money changes for British residents and more
Where in France are people now negotiating most off a property? Some towns are seeing price drops of 9%
Do US citizens need documents notarised at embassy in France? Some real estate procedures for US property sales require a notary
How to check for leaks in your French home without a smart water meter Homeowners should do regular checks to monitor their water consumption
Woman wins local tax fight over French home invaded by squatters A court has ordered that she is refunded four years of the tax. It was her fourth attempt to be exonerated
Interest rates for loans to buy property in France continue to fall The drop may help kickstart the market as banks and politicians explore new ways to boost home sales
Obligatory property declaration in France: paper forms now available Missing declarations must be made by June 30, 2024. Up to one in six property owners did not complete this new declaration last year What changes require you to make new property declaration in France? Explained: Why you might need a certificat d’urbanisme in France ‘Tiny swimming pools’ catch on in France as easier and cheaper option
No state payout for requisitioned homes built illegally in France Properties built without permission do ‘not retain right’ to expropriation compensation, states new court ruling Landowner in France fined for theft committed by squatters How much can property buyers in France negotiate down prices in 2024? Where do we pay house inheritance tax in France? Are there restrictions on building garden walls in France? France revamps energy renovation grants scheme to boost take-up
Second-home owners in France could soon face insurance surcharge Government report recommends creating a prevention fund with insurance sector at risk of collapse over natural disaster payouts
Explained: How to settle disputes without going to court in France We look at the new ‘amicable’ process for everyday civil claims introduced to find out-of-court solutions
Search for Irishman who has left French home abandoned for 22 years Property is to be demolished following a court order as it is starting to fall down onto the street
Owners cannot access French home over fears it may fall into sea Property and surrounding land in Normandy is off-limits until authorities can confirm there will be no imminent damage after landslide
Homeowners in France at risk of being sued by subcontractors If the main contractor fails to pay up, the property owner may be liable, a new ruling confirms
Can you open a bank account in France without a local address? Banks are free to deny an account to anyone and are not required to provide justification for their decision
Why it is hard to find people to do French eco-renovation grant work Almost one-fifth of trade companies did not renew their certification for 2024
Home security cameras: what are the rules in France? Rules differ dependent upon the scope of any video camera
Who still has to pay taxe d’habitation property tax in France? Changes on how the charge is levied have taken place in recent years
Landlord arrested for paying man to scare non-paying tenants in Nice Tenants had changed locks to stop the landlord from entering the home. He is now banned from going near the property
Who has to complete the new French property declaration in 2024? Not all property owners will need to submit a return this year
Man buys Toulouse flat - then told it is uninhabitable few years later The owner of the €300,000 property had carried out all relevant checks before buying
How do I register to offer a furnished gite rental in France? A new online registration system is now in place, but note there are income limits at which you become classed a ‘professional’ renter
Which items are included in the French electronic goods repair scheme? It is not only for handheld electrical devices such as phones
French state watchdog recommends grants to stop house drought cracks More should be done to prevent damage from climate change, it says
Can I sell inherited shares in French home to an investor? Matthew Cameron of Ashtons Legal answers a reader query
France's new property declaration form: 2024 rules and fines explained A new deadline is in place for those who have yet to declare - or have moved
Can I install a septic tank myself at my second French home? Installations must be checked every 10 years
Must I remove ivy growing on my French second home? Ivy can be attractive but can also be viewed as damaging
Do I need to sweep and insure an unused chimney in my French home? New rules over chimney cleaning came into force at the end of 2023
Which foreign nationalities buy the most property in the Paris area? And what has happened to British buyers?
Points to consider if heating your French home with fuel oil We cover money-saving tips, market variables and alternatives
Can bank loan pay for notaire home purchase fees in France? This would allow buyers to effectively expense the fees over the life of the loan
Firm proposes funding renovation of French property for a share of it It claims to offer an alternative to traditional funding
How does France’s 2021 law affect wills choosing foreign legal rules? Controversial 2021 inheritance law has complicated issues with regard to the EU regulation that allows foreign people to opt for inheritance law of original country
One partner’s debt can cause joint home to be seized in France The effects of a couple's marriage regime were highlighted by a recent case in France's top appeal court
Can our neighbour in France force us to replace a hedge with a fence? Position, height, age are all factors which will need to be considered
How can I reduce the cost of home insurance in France? Extra cover and location are two primary factors of higher annual charges
Second homes in France: locals call for quotas Campaigners in the Basque Country want a quota system to limit new second homes, councillors in Brittany propose housing priority for existing residents
New buyers left owing €300,000 for uninhabitable ‘mouldy’ French home Couple were forced to leave after six months as their newborn baby fell sick due to fungus-related issues
Man does not have to pay for renovations as no quote signed in France Court rules that payment is not due for the completed works even though he had paid a deposit
How do I estimate the value of my rural home in France? The market for older properties can be complex
Property energy rating system in France eased (a little) Smaller properties are to have their DPE calculated differently so their rating more accurately ‘reflects reality’, the government says
7 key points on property market in France from new notaire data Several areas are now predicted to see significant falls
How often do I need to sweep my chimney in French home? New rule changes mean chimneys must be swept within a certain timeframe
How to find out more about an area in France before you move there Platforms abound on ways to tell if a town or neighbourhood might be suitable for you
Buyers lose case over ‘banned’ loft conversion in France They wanted compensation from seller, who did not inform them that the loft had been renovated despite sales deed saying it could not be done
What are the laws surrounding trespassing in France? Trespassing rules are governed by the furnished condition of a house and can include any garden also
Americans flock to buy in Paris, spending a median of €715,000 People from the US are the largest group of non-resident foreign buyers in the French capital
Home sale in France annulled as visible faults not stressed at viewing The estate agent should have informed buyers of issues even if they were clearly noticeable, court rules
Do we pay French CGT tax on the sale of our UK house? Rules depend on the tax treaty signed between two countries
Couple cannot demolish and rebuild French home even if not protected The 1950s building is said to be of ‘heritage interest’ despite this not being officially recognised
How do I release equity from my French property? There are various loans available in France which look partially to the value of a property as security
Property buyers in France scammed out of €26,000 by fake bank advisor Couple checked the advisor’s details but thieves had stolen his identity to trick them into paying over a property deposit
Homeowners challenge automatic rise in French property tax - and win 2019 bills had risen by 15% but officials had not visited to recalculate property values
Do we need children’s permission to sell our French home? Antonia Ridley-Hughes of Ashtons Legal, answers a reader query
Buying and selling a home in France: What is the viager system? France has an unusual way of buying and selling a home based on estimates of the seller’s life expectancy. In many cases it is the only realistic way for homeowners to release equity from their property
New bin law, keyboxes, vacant homes: French property updates Our pick of property stories about France that you may have missed
How does France’s new home renovation scheme for the over-70s work? New MaPrimeAdapt’ scheme will partly finance projects to help people stay independent for longer
Can I put up a privacy shield in my French garden? Barriers may have additional requirements for installation, particularly if installed at the border of your property
Is it compulsory to install a smoke detector in every French property? We outline the rules for installing smoke detectors and alarms in properties in France
Family house in France must be demolished despite planning permission The owners say the issue has cost them €400,000
France’s property market sees greatest fall in sales for 50 years The number of non new-build homes being sold dropped by 22% year-on-year in 2023
Do I have to update my carte de séjour if French street name changes? Changes are mandatory if you move for those with certain permits
Tips for negotiating down house prices in France In a buyer’s market, you may be able to negotiate harder on certain fees and property prices. Here are three tips to help
Price drops, taxes, insurance issues: French property round up Our pick of property articles you may have missed
Insurers refuse to cover properties in ‘flood risk’ Brittany town All of the municipal buildings in the commune are now uninsured
Is French tontine arrangement affected by inheritance law changes? John Kitching, a director of French Law Consultancy Limited, answers a reader query