Practical property

Second-home market in France grows: who is buying and where?

In some departments close to 20% of properties are second homes

What is ‘electric box’ we have been asked to install at French home?

Grid manager Enedis must ensure all electrics are compatible with public domain

Partner article: What are the legal formalities of building a house in France?

The planning formalities in France can become an additional burden if you are ill prepared

practical

Ensure your smoke detector in French home is maintained and legal

Detectors must conform to several safety rules to be valid

Important rules for property owners with a garden in France

Bonfires, undergrowth clearance, water usage… check you are on the right side of the law

Is there aid available for second-home owners to insulate a French property?

Several major schemes are limited to main homes

People in France with electric installations older than 15 years warned of anomalies and fire risk

In some areas close to 90% of homes have a faulty electrical appliance

Homeowner in France must remove security camera as it records public road

Any cameras pointing towards a public space are an invasion of privacy, court rules

French village pays families to buy a home there

A grant of €5,000 plus €1,000 per child is available in an attempt to attract young families

How to prepare your pool for the summer season in France

You must 'wake up' your pool and treat the water before taking a dip

What is ‘SRU number’ on French house sale document?

A 2000 law led to several major chances for buyers, sellers, and builders

Paper version of ‘property use’ form available to download in French and English

Property owners who have seen its status change must update information before July 1

Undergrowth clearance: Where in France must buyers be informed?

Mandatory vegetation clearing aims to prevent wildfires in at-risk areas.

Find a rural home in France for under €100,000 without renovation hassle

See country houses for sale within this budget that are ready to move in to

Why short-term rentals face declining profitability in France

Stricter regulations and rising costs are challenging landlords, prompting a reclassification as 'touristic accommodation'

Tips for Americans considering a French mortgage

With the number of Americans moving to France on the rise, we ask the experts for some tips for those considering applying for a French mortgage

Fines over missing Biens immobiliers French property declarations to start in 2026

Property owners must still declare any 2024 changes to property by July 1 this year

Property watch: See what €50,000, €180,000 and over €1million buys in Pyréneés-Orientales

Pyréneés-Orientales is one of the few departments in France where residents can go to ski resorts as well as the seaside

Is any financial aid available to pay for installing a septic tank for our French property?

Homeowners installing a tank must work closely with local authorities

Who is liable for repair costs after the sale of a property in France?

Sellers can be liable for repairs in the case of hidden defects

French wealth tax: Six ways to reduce what you have to pay

The property valuation threshold for France's impôt sur la fortune immobilière (IFI) in 2025 is €1.3million per tax household

New natural disaster zones declared in south-east France

Property owners have 30 days to make a claim due to damage by landslides, mudslides, or flooding

List: The French departments where property notaire fees have risen (or will soon)

Only nine have declined to increase them

Do roof repairs need to be declared to French tax authorities?

Repairs do not usually require planning authorisation to be issued

French energy vouchers: 2025 date confirmed – and it is much later than usual

Five million people are eligible for the physical voucher, which can be up to €277

How to value a property for France's wealth tax

Here is how to check if you have to pay the impôt sur la fortune immobilière (IFI) – and how much it will be

New rules lower aid for home solar panels in France

Installation bonuses have also been cut as government looks to promote ‘self-consumption’ of power

Can neighbour force us to put fence up in French garden?

Rules on undergrowth clearance and habitat protection come into play

French ‘property use’ declarations: who has to do this in 2025 and by when?

Declarations have been required since 2023

Gale warnings: how to limit damage to your home in France and errors to avoid

Securing outdoors furniture is a key step to help avoid serious damage

Garden clearing obligations to be extended in south of France

Owners who fail to clear undergrowth face fines

What are the rules for installing an electric fence on French property?

Electric fences are not solely for agricultural purposes

Why this widely-used gardening tool can land you a large fine in France

Stores are banned from selling the item

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

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

Is it possible to find French cadastral plans online?

Certain plans go back to the 1800s

Is extra insurance for French garden pool required?

Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query

Map: Sale prices of flats across France and how they rose or fell in 2024

Areas including Corsica and Poitiers saw prices rise, but significant falls of nearly -8% elsewhere were recorded

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

Reductions related to length of ownership start after five years

Must chimney in French home be swept annually even if it is not used?

Some areas require chimneys to be swept multiple times per year

Can French forced heirship rules be bypassed?

Antonia Ridley-Hughes of Ashtons Legal, answers a reader query

Will my daughter have to pay tax on inherited property in France?

The value of a property can often be above tax-free sums on inheritance

When will ‘notaire fees’ for property purchases increase in France?

All departments are likely to vote in favour of raising fees

Five ways the latest 2025 budget will impact property owners in France

Changes include increasing notaire fees, tax exemption from property gifts and the extension of the Loc'Avantages rental scheme

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

Practical property

Second-home market in France grows: who is buying and where?

What is ‘electric box’ we have been asked to install at French home?

Partner article: What are the legal formalities of building a house in France?

Ensure your smoke detector in French home is maintained and legal

Trending

Widow in France facing financial struggle as step-child she never met stakes inheritance claim

MPs vote to end France's ZFE low-emission zones despite government opposition

Beaches, gardens, outside schools: France to ban smoking in more public spaces

Storms return: French weekend weather update May 31 - June 1

Briton wins right to be on EU electoral roll in historic French court ruling

63 confirmed chikungunya cases recorded in south-east France as authorities fear epidemic

Second-home market in France grows: who is buying and where?

Important rules for property owners with a garden in France

Is there aid available for second-home owners to insulate a French property?

People in France with electric installations older than 15 years warned of anomalies and fire risk

Homeowner in France must remove security camera as it records public road

French village pays families to buy a home there

How to prepare your pool for the summer season in France

What is ‘SRU number’ on French house sale document?

Paper version of ‘property use’ form available to download in French and English

Undergrowth clearance: Where in France must buyers be informed?

Find a rural home in France for under €100,000 without renovation hassle

What are the rules on changing your windows in France?

Can stepchildren inherit property under French succession law?

Hidden defects cause legal row for €1 house in France

Why short-term rentals face declining profitability in France

Graph: see latest flat price changes in your area of France

What are the rules for installing wooden shutters in France?

Map: see house price changes for your area of France in latest notaire data

Is compensation possible if a neighbour’s pet damages garden at French second home?

Repairs on dry stone wall in France: Must stones be bought or can they be picked up?

Tips for Americans considering a French mortgage

Fines over missing Biens immobiliers French property declarations to start in 2026

Property watch: See what €50,000, €180,000 and over €1million buys in Pyréneés-Orientales

Is any financial aid available to pay for installing a septic tank for our French property?

Who is liable for repair costs after the sale of a property in France?

French wealth tax: Six ways to reduce what you have to pay

New natural disaster zones declared in south-east France

List: The French departments where property notaire fees have risen (or will soon)

Do roof repairs need to be declared to French tax authorities?

French energy vouchers: 2025 date confirmed – and it is much later than usual

How to value a property for France's wealth tax

New rules lower aid for home solar panels in France

Can neighbour force us to put fence up in French garden?

French ‘property use’ declarations: who has to do this in 2025 and by when?

Gale warnings: how to limit damage to your home in France and errors to avoid

Garden clearing obligations to be extended in south of France

What are the rules for installing an electric fence on French property?

Why this widely-used gardening tool can land you a large fine in France

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

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

Understand France's inheritance tax rules and nue-propriété

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

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

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

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

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

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

Can we gift French property to our daughter?

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

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

Department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine to increase property purchase fees

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

Is it possible to find French cadastral plans online?

Is extra insurance for French garden pool required?

Map: Sale prices of flats across France and how they rose or fell in 2024

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

Must chimney in French home be swept annually even if it is not used?

Can French forced heirship rules be bypassed?

Will my daughter have to pay tax on inherited property in France?

When will ‘notaire fees’ for property purchases increase in France?

Five ways the latest 2025 budget will impact property owners in France

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

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

Is there an official complaints process against notaires in France?

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

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

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

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