Practical property

Buyer disappears after signing property deal in France - should estate agents be liable?

Buyer paid a €10,000 deposit before vanishing

Most homeowners in France to be spared property declaration fine

Authorities instead target ‘large property owners’ of more than 200 units

Electricity bills: homes to be selected in France to trial new tariffs

New off-peak hours based on renewable consumption may lead to cheaper bills

practical

Crackdown on undeclared second homes in south-west France

Owners who falsely declare properties as main homes risk fines and backdated tax payments

As renters, do we have to pay the local rubbish collection tax in France?

Two main types of bin tax exist in France

Bag with pellets and firewood in the living room

French consumer group launches bulk-buy wood pellet scheme

Scheme looks to bring down cost of pellets via bulk buying

Rises of +9.9%, drops of -5.6%: see how French flat prices have changed near you

Majority of cities recording price increases as property slump ends

Most French cities see house prices rise: latest notaire data

Tours (8%) and Metz (6%) see highest rises Oct-Dec 2024 - 2025 whilst south-east remains most expensive region outside of Paris

Property owners in France reminded of June ‘property-use’ deadline

Updates must be filed via the biens immobiliers system or fines may apply

Water restrictions begin in south-west France: who is affected?

Residents can check restrictions near them using government website

France to end eco-renovation funding for homes with a gas boiler

Properties must not have gas boiler by end of works to access grant scheme

France chases ‘one million annual heat pump’ goal, but is it feasible?

Sector leaders cite need for more aid and say ‘leasing scheme’ may be limited in effect

French tax authorities expand AI checks for undeclared property expansions

Verandas, pagodas, and sheds targeted in new €100 million campaign

Selling a home in France: what should I tell the utility companies?

The transfer of utilities is a separate task from the notarial sale process

Five questions about plans to raise French property tax on millions of homes

Mairies will be able to assume that homes contain basic features omitted from official information, raising taxes

How do I get an evaluation for inherited property in France?

It is important to get a fair and accurate valuation at the date of death

More homes in south of France must clear undergrowth or face fine

Homeowners reminded of obligatory land clearance rules prior to forest fire season

Farmers' hedge-trimming deadlines extended in France after winter rainfall

Homeowners are recommended – in most cases – not to trim hedges on their land between March 15 - August 15

Attractive,Handy,Man,Using,A,Drill,To,Put,Up,Pictures

How to find a handyman online in France

Two thirds of people polled in online survey say it is difficult to find a tradesperson - leaving many odd jobs undone

French gas prices: should you switch to a fixed deal before May rise?

Bills may increase by €200 per year due to increase in global gas prices

A view of someone looking at paperwork with a calculator and house model in the foreground

French residential tax debits have not been taken - what should I do?

Many opt for monthly payments from January to October

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

Insurance companies have their own requirements

Image of a piggy bank next to a water tap to show the cost of water

Water bills rise by up to 40% in parts of Normandy

It follows the installation of remotely-read meters to homes around Caen in Calvados. Authorities claim previous readings were incorrect

Air heat pump in a garden by a modern house

New rules to define heat pumps eligible for energy grants in France

List set to be published in September 2026 as bodies call for more available aid

Why almost a million French households risk higher electricity bill in March

EDF must implement ‘red day’ tariffs before end of month

Unpaid bills led to a million electricity and gas ‘cut-offs’ in France in 2025

The number of accounts affected has risen by 79% since 2019

Is there a ‘bedroom tax’ in France for additional rooms?

The surface area of rooms is used to calculate property taxes

What changes for residents in France in March 2026

Major changes for drivers, hospital patients, and property owners

A view of houses on piles of coins to show increasing costs

How much is second home insurance in France?

There is no legal obligation to insure a second home if it is a fully independent property

Group,Of,Chickens,On,A,Farm,Yard,Chicken,Eco,Farm

Can I install chicken coop for my own eggs during shortage?

Coops are subject to taxes if over a certain size

What do you risk if you hire someone for work on your home and pay cash-in-hand?

Undisclosed payments cost French economy billions each year

294 French communes classified as natural disaster zones following flooding

Homeowners - including second homes - now have 30 days to make a catastrophe naturelle claim

France’s home renovations grants relaunch: key points to know

MaPrimeRénov’ is once again available to households of all income levels

Did you know? These plants are forbidden in French gardens

Invasive species cannot be sold, planted, or exchanged

Person wearing blue surgical gloves about to open a septic tank cover

What are penalties for not conforming with new septic tank requirement?

Financial aid is available for homeowners needing to install new tanks

A view of someone opening a house door with a key

Are second homes in France a good investment?

Investment picture is variable depending on geographical location

Why storms in France have indirectly caused carbon monoxide poisoning

We cover tips and rules for detectors

Big,Bed,In,A,Small,Bedroom,,Clean,,Comfortable,And,Affordable

Can you offer rentals in France when staying on visitor visa?

There are different thresholds for rentals before they are deemed as ‘professional income’

Must all properties in France have a ‘smart’ thermostat?

Modern thermostats can automatically set temperatures even when residents are away

Repayable-on-death equity release loans open again to non-EU retirees

Products have recently started being offered by bank group again after it paused them in 2019

Danger,Asbestos,Removal,In,Progress,Warning,Signboard,-,Concept,With

How to deal with asbestos in France

As the material ages, it degrades - becoming more likely to release harmful fibres

A view of a fence in France saying ‘A vendre (for sale)’

What the seller of a house in France must leave or remove

There are regulations in place for certain items, others can be subject to agreement

A view of a woman plugging in an electric car

Can I charge electric vehicle when parked outside my home?

Rules on parking can also affect those looking to charge electric vehicles

Water-use restrictions lifted for some households in the Pyrénées-Orientales

Rainfall replenishes reservoirs but bans still remain in northern areas

Poor-quality fibre internet installations remain an issue in France

Stricter measures are announced to improve connection quality

Professional,Notary,Helping,Couple,With,Paperwork,In,Office

Is buying or renting property better in France?

Large variations in the respective costs exist between different regions

France’s ‘garden shed’ tax rates fall for first time in nine years: 2026 rates

Tax is paid on a per m² basis for many property improvements, with fixed values in place for some installations

How can I protect my second home in France from mice while I am away?

Pests can enter homes at any period

Do I need the devis to contest French builder’s bad job?

An estimate is a legal contract between you and the person doing the work

How to lower the amount you pay for insurance in France

‘Big three’ insurances all set to see costs rise in 2026

Concept,Of,Expensive,Heating,Costs.,Hands,With,Calculator,Consider,Cost

New DPE requirements affect 11 million flats in France

Certificates evaluate the energy performance of exterior walls, windows, roofs and shared areas

Electricity bills to remain stable for most homes in France, says government

Significant rises are not forecast for customers on regulated tariffs in next two years

Facades of traditional Paris residential buildings

How can I find out who the owner of a property is in France?

There are a few methods you can use to ascertain ownership

Hands with mini houses representing house swaps

French property market: latest official statistics for 2025

Notaires have presented a ‘cautiously optimistic’ but still-mixed picture

Clamart,,France,,September,6,,2022:,Close-up,Of,A,French,Property

Taxe foncière: how to ask for delay, reduction, or cancellation of French property tax

Requests can be made even after the payment date has passed

Last day to benefit from free online call with a French notaire

‘Virtual fair’ provides opportunity to ask notaires about matters relating to property, inheritance etc

Requirement to equip French homes with programmable thermostats postponed

Homeowners now have until 2030 to set up the devices

Piggy bank wearing a scarf on a radiator

Reduce temperature of French home by one degree to save money and even win gifts

One of several ways to reduce electricity usage – and bills – this winter

A view of a black bin bag outside a house

Local officials in south-west France search dumped bin bags to identify culprits

Around half of residents yet to collect access cards for new communal bins

What is notaire role in France other than property sales?

If you have bought property in France you will have dealt with one. But what else can they help with?

What are the rules for putting up cameras at my French home?

People have a right to install cameras, but must respect privacy laws

Property tax hike for 7.4 million homes in France postponed

Update of rates due to ‘comfort’ features such as inside toilets and sinks is deferred

'I have a 180-degree view of the sea – like living on a boat'

Vicki Jeynes fell in love with La Pagode, a unique house in the south of France, and fulfilled her dream of living by the seaside

‘Optimism’ for French property market as demand and prices increase

First-time buyers make up over half of all new mortgages as prices slowly rise

I want to sell French house but siblings do not: what can I do?

Buying siblings out may be possible

Can power of attorney be given to sell French home while abroad?

Several regulations were relaxed during the pandemic

How do septic tank inspections work in France?

The checks take place at least once every 10 years

Can I ask French police to check on my home when away in winter?

Rules are different for main and second homes

Property owners’ tax to rise for 7.4 million French homes

Average increases are expected to be €63 and come after a reevaluation of ‘comfort features’ such as indoor toilets

When should you avoid doing DIY in France

Columnist Nick Inman helps you decide when to contact - and to wait for - a professional

Are annual boiler checks obligatory in France?

Insurance companies may reference your boiler in their documentation

What is an SCI in France – and what are the tax and inheritance risks?

Mistakes made in setting up the structure may cause issues

View of an energy rating overlaid over an image of a model house

Energy efficiency ratings affect French property price by up to 25%, notaire data reveals

A ban on letting ‘G’ rated properties came into effect this year

Six key points about 2025 French property market identified by notaires

Economic uncertainty and lack of investment threaten re-stablisation of market at wider level

Must you clear fallen leaves from your garden outside your home in France?

In most cases it is not legal to burn leaves once they have been raked up