Practical property

Water leak leaves home owner in France facing €35,000 bill

Expert report states broken pipes were result of earthworks by local mairie, but they refuse to pay

Property watch: See what €50,000, €250,000 and over €1million buys in Hautes-Pyrénées

Its main city Tarbes has good transport links and there are many mountain property bargains to be had

Understand France's inheritance tax rules and nue-propriété

Question relates to situation when holder of a nue-propriété predeceases the holder of the usufruit

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Good news for buyers and sellers as French mortgage rates fall and are open to negotiation

Some banks are offering special mortgage deals as property market recovering – but will this continue?

List: these are the French home improvement works that must be declared

Inform tax authorities separately even if you have construction permit

Can we bring UK digger to France to work on our second home?

There is a time limit on how long machinery can be brought over to avoid import fees

What is the best way to deal with ‘stink bugs’ in our French home?

The bugs arrived from Asia and are considered an invasive species

What are the rules for burning garden waste in France in 2025?

Spring is a popular time to clean up in garden

Is it necessary to sign up to a local déchetterie in France before using it?

Rules are changing in several areas to cut down on excessive waste

Can we gift French property to our daughter?

Gift taxes will be levied if certain thresholds are passed

French property owners and tenants: what are rules for obligatory undergrowth clearance?

Land in many areas must be cleared to reduce risk of forest fires

French home energy cheque aid will be sent later in 2025 - who gets this?

Changes mean vouchers can no longer be used for eco-renovations

Department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine to increase property purchase fees

Local councils have been given ability to raise fees in new budget

Are there any ways to reduce notaire fees when buying a property in France?

We look at some less well-known possibilities as tax hike looms

How can renovations on French second home reduce capital gains tax?

Reductions related to length of ownership start after five years

Buying a property in France may cost more from April as ‘notaire fees’ allowed to rise

Departments can opt to increase fees by 0.5% under 2025 budget

Is property declaration form required for French second homes this year?

The Biens immobiliers form was introduced in 2023

Is there an official complaints process against notaires in France?

Notaires are legally responsible for their own practices

Is French property slump ending? : Key points in latest notaire review

The post-Covid slowdown is close to its end, but warning factors remain

French house prices 2024: how did your area fare in new notaire data?

Cities including Reims and Dijon recorded sales price falls of over -10% - however the slump is said to be over

Auction website now shows French properties for sale from estate agents and notaires

Site aims for quick and transparent property sales

Does being an EU citizen affect rate of French property taxes?

Two main property taxes may be due each year

France's ‘garden shed tax’ sees 2025 rise, find new rates below

Completed property extensions and new constructions have to be declared to your mairie within 90 days

Is it right time to renegotiate mortgage on French home?

Falling interest rates prompt many homeowners to consider new deals

Legal: French court rules against using neighbour's land for parking

A droit de servitude (right of way) is not for mere convenience, rules France's highest court

French landlord faces questions over near 300% increase in heating costs

Tenants face eviction after increase in bills leaves them facing heavy debts

France's heat pump market drops as second home owners opt for alternatives

Despite government support, declining sales and high costs hinder heat pump adoption, especially in second homes

Little-known Linky meter trick can help people in France save on energy bills

Information transmitters plugged into meter give real-time information about electricity consumption

Over-60s can now unlock capital from their home in France

Mortgage solutions to tap into a niche market remain available after the closure one scheme

MAP: French property price variations in 2024 by region

Only one region saw house prices increase last year

French towns selling off land cheaply benefit from population growth

Land sold for as little as €1/m² helps rejuvenate rural areas and increase commercial activity

What is cost of septic tank diagnostic when selling a French second home?

Tests are mandatory before selling your property

Is there a register of certified local chimney sweeps in France to use?

Only professional sweeps can provide certificate that chimney has been swept

French authorities use AI to help recoup €200 million in unpaid tax from one department alone

Undeclared swimming pools and property extensions can be captured by AI imagery

Is taxe d’habitation required for flats let in French farmhouse?

Taxes due depend on the status of the property

Landlords in France can now increase rent for some tenants: when and by how much?

The government has previously implemented a rental ‘shield’ to restrict increases

Confirmed: Electricity bills to drop by 15% from February for most French households

Savings of up to €650 a year are expected for a family of four

Is it possible to apply for compensation after power cut at French home?

Compensation is sometimes given automatically

What is the role of an estate agent when buying a property in France?

Some properties are advertised with multiple agencies

Can a mobile home remain parked in French home garden?

Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query

Is it possible to transfer property share of French home?

Transfer may be subject to gift tax

Could France follow Spain’s plan for 100% tax on non-EU buyers of second homes?

Spanish prime minister says country must act to combat rising housing shortage

How should garden waste be disposed of in France if bonfires are not allowed?

Some areas have also banned disposing of green waste at waste centres

MAP: How much can you negotiate off a property purchase in France in 2025?

Chances of a successful offer vary considerably depending on the region

Chimney sweeping rules in France: Can you do this yourself - and how often is required by law?

Insurance companies have their own requirements

French court orders withdrawal of Linky smart meter in home after health complaints

Homeowners who do not install a meter now face annual surcharge on electricity bill

French property owners and tenants: the rules for obligatory overgrowth clearance

The new regulations also apply to those who let a property

Is it possible to leave French second home to nephews and not spouse?

John Kitching, a director of French Law Consultancy Limited, answers a reader query

Five things they don't tell you about wood fires in France

There are various types of logs you can purchase, but you must be careful about sourcing your own from woodlands

Buying property in France: Two key steps

Property lawyer Ronald Sokol explains the practical steps, taxes and rules of purchasing a home

Commune to use drones to enforce planning rules in south of France

The drones will be able to assess expansions to private properties as well as larger constructions by companies

15 changes in France from January 1, 2025

Pensions, gardens, boilers, registering cars and postal costs are just some of the areas which change

The trees in your French garden have a worth - here is how to value them online

Owners of properties can see values rise thanks to trees, similarly to garages or barns

Revaluation of property data used to set local taxes delayed in France but concerns continue

A reform of the valeurs locatives cadastrales, a theoretical annual rental value assigned to every property, has been planned for several years

Are French tax charges on foreign property rental income correct?

France should award tax credits in some situations

Must I continue paying French property tax for second home sold in January?

Property taxes can be split into ten monthly payments

French property: Share of foreign buyers increases for houses - which areas are popular?

Non-French buyers make up more than 10% of purchases of non-new build houses in some departments

Property sales plummet in France but did any areas resist price drops?

Values have increased in the last ten years across the board despite post-Covid slump in sales

How to get retrospective approval for building works on French home after completion

Unauthorised home improvements potentially lead to problems when selling

Is my information safe with French estate agents?

Using major national estate agencies is an option if you need to have more confidence

French grants for home renovations are changing

Act now if you want to fit a wood stove before the MaPrimeRénov grants are reduced in 2025

This will be the minimum property tax increase in 2025 in France

Actual bills are likely to increase by more in many communes

Weighing up costs of renting a home versus buying in France

Rent increases and property price drops make it better to purchase in some areas but significant regional differences persist

Is Capital Gains Tax levied on land in France?

Additional taxes apply in the case of certain sales

Off peak hours, Linky meters: electricity and gas bills are set to change in France

Hours for cheaper electricity set to differ depending on season under new rules

New tough tax rules apply on French holiday rentals from 2025

Short-term holiday lets are the target of a new law

Notaire fees expected to rise for home purchases in France

Local authorities set to increase fees to combat budget cuts

Must you remove snow in front of home in France? Rules to respect

Icicles must be removed from roofs in some cases

What is process for building work near a site listed as historic monument in France?

The Architectes des Bâtiments de France must approve of external renovations within 500m of a listed site

Neighbour’s chimney blows smoke into our French home: what can we do?

Chimney stacks must be a certain length from nearby rooftops

Property slump eases in France but sellers still need to be patient

The drop in prices is steadying but the situation is not the same across the country

How a builder's creative tip helped me in my farmhouse renovation

Nick Inman continues with his project to restore an old farmhouse

What you can challenge on a French taxe d’habitation bill - and how to do it

Over €700 million was erroneously collected for the property tax last year

What are the documents that a landlord cannot request from a tenant in France?

Renters can refuse certain invasive demands from property owners

Properties: see what you can buy in Orne in rural France for €40,000 and €1.123m

Explore Orne's scenic routes, traditional sausages, and surprisingly affordable property market