Housing property and construction

How France's high-rise housing solution to post-war boom became an urban nightmare

The grands ensembles, high-rise public housing units, were meant to provide desperately needed accommodation in big cities in the 1950s but the plan was abandoned only two decades later

Big drop in permits for new homes to be built in France

Permits for single-family homes are down by almost a quarter year-on-year

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

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French renovation firms invented ‘norms’ to con homeowners into work

Victims lost an average of €8,000 but some lost much more

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

Hundreds of estate agents close in France as property sales plummet

Last year saw the lowest house sales for at least 50 years, and 2024 may not be much better, experts say

France's way of tracking undeclared pools is unfair, says report

The aerial photography system in use since 2021 is not applied in the same way all over the country

Family house in France must be demolished despite planning permission

The owners say the issue has cost them €400,000

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

Swimming pools: How to check you are within tax rules in France

There are forms to fill in and taxes to pay at both the construction stage and after completion. Here is how it works

€9m of goods not delivered as Habitat France seeks liquidation

The company has been warning of financial trouble for months, and administrators have now called for its liquidation, leaving thousands of orders unfulfilled

How Paris plans to crackdown on second homes and empty properties

The 8th arrondissement has the most unoccupied buildings, with a rate of 36%

Tips to avoid home renovation scams in France

More cases are expected as the government increases the amount available in grants for eco-friendly projects

Habitat France shops at risk as firm faces financial issues

The group’s owner says he wants the stores to remain open but unions say that they ‘have not had a delivery’ of new stock in six months

Many homeowners still ‘better off’ with France's new local tax system

This is despite significant rises to one tax. We also look at changes to eco-friendly grants in France and prices in Paris in our weekly roundup of property articles

France first as ex-jail set to transform into student accommodation

Students should have little problem locking themselves away to study

Is your French property in newly declared drought ‘disaster’ zones?

If so, you can claim compensation for any damage. We explain how and what to do if you are out of the country

Securing sole ownership of a house in France from an ex

Matthew Cameron of Ashtons Legal answers a reader query on how to become sole owner of a property from an ex

Pool building ban, landlords lose Pau appeal and other property news

We also look at a Dordogne castle for sale with a grisly backstory, how Macron’s pension reforms will impact mortgages and more

Minister ‘open’ to seizing empty homes for people in need in France

A housing association has called for empty properties to be requisitioned where needed, with the law already allowing it where low-income people are ‘disadvantaged’ by low housing supply

Moves to improve compensation for drought damage in homes in France

New rules are set to boost compensation by 15% for properties that are damaged slowly and gradually by repeated ‘natural disaster’ droughts

Algae farm windows help French flats go green

The initiative allows firms to make money from harvesting the crop while at the same time reducing energy consumption in the building

French property in 2022 and 2023 predictions: Low sales, rising prices

New figures show 2022 trends, and notaire experts look ahead to next year

French property: empty offices identified as urban housing solution

Notaires believe planning regulation should be amended to make conversions easier

Garden tree rules, building on farmland: Five French property updates

We also look at taking out a mortgage on a property you buy with a friend and why a tenant lost a court case against their landlord after falling out a window

French man faces legal battle over yurts he rents for free to families

The 60-year-old from near Nantes says he was forced to act due to skyrocketing rent prices. His local mairie says he must dismantle the yurts as he does not have a building permit

French property: How long after buying can I claim for hidden faults?

Discovering problems is disappointing but under certain conditions you can claim expenses from previous owners

Village in west France halves housing land prices to attract newcomers

The building plots are being sold at just €7.50 in the remote village, after the Mairie has struggled to attract newcomers for the past 10 years

How do we connect our French holiday home to public drainage?

Speaking to the local mairie in order to obtain authorisation is the first step and they might also be able to recommend a firm to carry out the work

Artisans in France must inform clients of planning permissions

France’s top court has ruled that artisans have an obligation to give honest advice to their clients

How long does planning permission last?

If you obtain planning permission to build a house, how long is it valid for? J.V.

May I apply for social housing and, if so, how?

How do you go about applying for council / social housing and can you have one if you are not French? SG

Second home in France: Why such a rise in our taxe foncière?

Whilst there has been no particular change this year for second home-owners in France concerning taxe foncière , there are a few useful points to note

Has planning permission for greenhouses changed in France?

Legislation regarding greenhouses has not changed since 2008 and even if it had, the construction would not become illegal retrospectively

What can I do in France about the derelict house next door?

Abandoned property in France must be looked after by its owner, however if the situation is more complicated it is usually the mairie’s responsibility

Help for replacing an old oil boiler with a heat pump in France?

There are various options available with both the removal ('dépose') of an old boiler and then the purchase of the 'new pompe à chaleur'

What is meant in French law by 'moveable' or 'immoveable property'?

All forms of property (' biens' ) are either moveable ' biens meubles' or immoveable ' immeubles'

Key questions when letting your property for summer

As we enter summer and ‘high season’, many readers will be considering renting out their French homes or second properties to take advantage of the extra income, especially in popular tourist areas.

Second homes in France: Where is most popular?

The Haute-Alpes has the highest percentage of French-owned second homes, with the Var the most popular department in absolute terms - but Paris most impacted by “the Airbnb effect”, figures show.

French buy-to-let scheme is changing but 'don’t rush to invest now’

The Pinel scheme, launched in 2014, is one of a number of initiatives to reduce housing shortages in France and offers tax refunds to investors on property built for the rental market

French property: Buyers paying estate agent fees could save cash

A counter-intuitive aspect of French property transactions means that buyers might save money overall if they pay the estate agent’s fees – by saving on notaire costs

Protests against second homes in Brittany as housing debate continues

Protester demands include only allowing permanent residents to buy housing, and a limit on short-term rentals - but one local official called the stance ‘an attack on individual property’

New-builds in France from 2021 must feature walk-in showers

From next year, all new French houses should either have a walk-in shower or plumbing ready for one to be later installed

'Paradise island' for sale for €1.5m in Côtes-d'Armor, Brittany

A small island off Brittany’s north coast, accessible only by boat and described as 'a corner of paradise', is on sale for €1,575,000

France’s winter housing eviction truce to begin on November 1

The trêve hivernale makes it illegal for landlords to evict tenants during the winter months in most situations

Vendors in France warned ‘hidden defect’ clause not always guaranteed

A recent court case focusing on asbestos in a roof has thrown new light on how the ‘hidden defect’ (vice caché) clause in house contracts can be used when faults are in plain sight

‘Hobbit’ housing grows with trend in France for low-impact living

They may look like something from a Tolkien fantasy novel, but more and more dome houses are cropping up around the country as house-buyers increasingly favour their ecological construction

'Covid showed us that city life in France has its drawbacks'

In a new six-part series, we speak to people whose property priorities have changed dramatically since moving to France

Who to contact in France if unable to find past taxe foncière details?

If you are being asked what taxe foncière you have been paying on a property but unable to trace any payments, there are certain offices in France you can contact

French housing minister sparks debate over future of detached houses

Emmanuelle Wargon described detached houses with gardens as being an unsustainable model, despite a survey finding that 75% of people in France dream of living in just such houses

'Why can’t France cherish what the world loves about their country?'

'France cannot remain stuck in the past, a theme park for tourists, but it seems determined to erase the very features that made it the world’s most popular tourist destination'

French property: Who is responsible for the upkeep of a shared wall?

Partner article: Shared wall upkeep should be split fairly with neighbours, unless it has been damaged by one of the parties or one of the people wants to sell it off

Solar panel installation trend in France is to sell back the surplus

Solar power, both from large installations and domestic ones, now accounts for around 7% of electricity production in France

French farmhouse renovation: How to bring to life redundant spaces

Overhauling a hayloft into an apéro patio on a budget can transform an area of neglect into a favourite place to sit and eat

Abandoned French chateau to be sold by auction - starting at €90,000

Château de Nescus, not far from the Spanish border, was formerly used as a summer camp (‘colonie de vacances’) for Parisian school children

Online estate agents in France widen horizons for house-hunters

This French DIY property market kicked off with ' Particulier à Particulier' (PAP) magazine 45 years ago, where sellers would pay for an advert and do the rest themselves

Home sale cancelled after chicken farm next door concealed by sellers

Judges have backed a couple’s claim that smell and flies from a chicken farm were reason enough for them to cancel their purchase of a house

How to include a French holiday home in a UK will?

John Kitching, a director of French Law Consultancy Limited, answers a reader query on options for those with property in France but living and building a will in the UK

French homeowners face long wait for swimming pools as demand soars

Installers’ order books are filled for months in advance - but a pool is not only good to use but can be a sound investment to raise property value

The key to finding a good locksmith in France

Look for a locksmith 'serrurier' who owns a shop and works in collaboration with networks of lock manufacturers, such as Point Fort Fichet or Bricard

State to buy houses on Nantes Atlantique airport flightpath

Up to 48 houses are to be bought by the state because they are under flightpaths to Nantes Atlantique airport

Can I challenge a neighbour's extension plan in France?

Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query on what a property owner can do if they disagree with a neighbour's new extension

How to check what help is available to renovate property in France

Advice and financial aid for residents and second-home owners is on offer at a national and a local level. Here's how to find out more

Paris down, provinces up: Covid-19 upends French housing market

New property trends are being seen across France with much more property interest in the suburbs and rural areas

Brexit ‘to cost us €150,000 more in tax to sell our second home’

Stricter non-EU rules are being applied post-Brexit concerning capital gains on property sales in France

Co-living finally catches on after a decade of resistance in France

Investors, including the French state bank Bpifrance, are putting money into co-living projects in France after 10 years of resisting the concept

Lyon allows first official squat in building awaiting renovation

The city says 50 squatters who have been there for two years can stay legally until June 2022 while renovation plans are finalised

Can we divide our plot in France to sell part for building land?

Five documents usually need to be approved, certain experts needs to be consulted as well as a go-ahead from the mairie

Changes to law limiting new building on farmland in France

The original plan by the ecology ministry would have halved the amount of building on French farmland in a decade

Garden city of Stains near Paris is town-planning before its time

One of France’s earliest attempts at a 19th-century town-planning concept that fell out of favour now appears remarkably modern

Abused €1 insulation scheme in France to end early

French one-euro home insulation and boiler replacement schemes are to end six months earlier than planned on July 1

Is there an official flooding risk watchdog in France?

Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query on how to check if a property is in an area at risk of flooding

What if an ex-partner does not want to sell our French property?

Barbara Heslop of Heslop & Platt answers a reader query on the steps to take when one party of a property ownership refuses to sell

Where in France can you negotiate the most on property prices?

Bourgogne, Lorraine, and Brittany topped the regions for the best negotiation deals, but other regions are less so

French farmhouse renovation: Tools I should have invested in

Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of renovating an old French farmhouse. Here he talks about essential equipment for the job