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
practical 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
Is French second-home property tax levied on garages? Tax may also be levied on parking spots in certain situations
AirBnb rental laws to be toughened in France Tax reductions will be partially brought in line for long and short-term rentals, with communes having more power over the market
French fire service asks people to check for empty or unused gas bottles at home Canisters can be returned to points of sale, reducing fire risk
Are drain unblockers for septic tanks commercially available in France? Supermarkets offer a variety of standard unblockers
400 French communes declared natural disaster zones after October floods Property owners have 30 days to make insurance claim
How much does a house cost in ‘the healthiest department’ in France? This area scored well in a national study on air pollution, green spaces, healthy shops, and hiking trails
French property market: Six key points from latest notaire data Signs of recovery in view from post-Covid slump although sales numbers and prices remain low
MAP: house price falls in France - see how your area fares in new notaire data Only a handful of cities avoided a fall in price at the start of 2024
What are the rules for domestic wind turbine installation in France? Turbines of all sizes can be purchased
Why home insurance costs are expected to rise in France next year Properties in the south face higher costs as natural disasters and droughts hit hard Further crackdown on tourist rentals under debate in France Some main homes in France targeted for capital gains tax under new plan Is it illegal to fit a boiling water tap in France?
How to identify and destroy toxic plants that grow in French gardens Some can cause illness or even be fatal if eaten Widow loses right to live in French property due to lack of maintenance Why have we not been paying taxe d’habitation on our French second home? What is the procedure if septic tank is classed as non-conforme? 17 new and recent changes in France Home buyers given wrong French bank details and must now pay again
Explained: rent increase limits in France as latest inflation figures published Many renters will face price increase in January
More second homes in France face higher tax under new proposal Far-left proposal would see all communes able to levy additional surcharges on second-home tax
Oise: Properties you can buy from €39,000 to €1.9m in the north of France The department is just north of Paris so buyers may have to look hard for a bargain
How I revived the rusty railings at our old French farmhouse Columnist Nick Inman explains how an inventive use of copper tubing gave his garden wall a new lease of life
French property and tax: 7 common questions Rob Kay, Senior Partner at Blevins Franks, reviews costs, taxes, and estate planning for UK nationals
What are the rules on building a fence at French property? Everyone has the right to build one on their own land but local planning regulations may apply
What is the ‘soil survey’ required before fitting a septic tank in France? Local authorities may ask for an étude de sol before you install a new sanitation system that is not connected to sewers
Obligatory garden clearance in France: New campaign clarifies who is impacted New residents will be told of rules from January onwards
French second home tax notices to be sent in November - who pays it? Taxe d’habitation was formerly charged on all properties but is now only levied on second-homes
How to see the sale price of property in France near you A government online tool includes data from the last five years
What do French estate agents mean by a maison de caractère? These large and distinctive properties were once prized by the middle class
How is surplus energy sold to EDF declared on French tax form? Understanding the declaration process for income, including deadlines and exemptions
Flooding: why it is important to check your French property damage policy Severe storms recently hit the country
How to prepare your swimming pool in France for the upcoming winter The practice can be a way of saving water say swimming pool trade bodies
Natural disaster zones declared near Nice: insurance deadline looms Declaration relates to landslides in March 2024
What exactly does maison secondaire mean in France? Property descriptions are related to where you live 'habitually' and have the most links
Are the shutters on my French house essential for insurance? Insurers recommend them, but the law is clear
What gift tax is liable on property in France for UK residents? Antonia Ridley-Hughes of Ashtons Legal answers a reader query
What are the rules for wood-burning stoves in France? Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query
Change to timeline of energy efficiency rules for French homes announced by PM More than 600,000 properties may be affected by rule change, allowing them to remain on rental market
Can I cancel French property tax payments in advance if I will be 75 next year? There are exemptions from paying taxe foncière for some
Why are there strict rules around façades on France's streets? A range of regulations govern the exteriors of buildings in French towns and villages
Must solar panels installed at home be insured in France? Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader question
Court jails large-scale solar panel scammer, 800 victims in France Over 1,000 people worldwide paid for panels that were never delivered
How to settle neighbourhood disputes in France Exploring your rights and what action to take if an agreement cannot be reached
MAP: which French cities resisted house price drops of 2023? Several major cities saw prices fall by over 10% year on year
PHOTOS: See inside our quirky French home, a 13th-Century watermill Giles and Fi Stonor restored the ancient Moulin De Latreille to create an idyllic retreat in rural France
What does the 'pool squat' case mean for property owners in France? Squatters rights have been called into question in recent laws and court cases
Millions of property owners in France still risk fine Homeowners who did not declare property changes may be penalised by tax authorities as period of tolerance ends
PHOTOS: Four chateaux for sale for under $1 million in Dordogne These historic buildings are full of character and charm - and not all need extensive repairs
Are French property owners set for some good tax news? Lower year-on-year inflation means that next year’s tax increase should be lower - but not all owners will be affected equally
MAP: Which areas in France are most popular with second-home owners? Hundreds of communes are dominated by second homes, with 70% or more of all properties only being used ocassionally
Households in France without a Linky meter to suffer additional costs Things set to change for those who submit manual readings
2024 French property tax: which areas are seeing the highest rises? We review how the taxe foncière is calculated, and which areas have seen the largest increase
Over 1,000 more French towns to levy higher tax on second homes Around 1,500 communes now intend to charge the levy including popular second-home destinations such as St Tropez, St Malo and Chamonix
Is it possible to buy my ex-partner's share in French home? Wanting to purchase an ex-partner's share of a property is not unusal
Are €1 home insulation offers in France a scam? The cost of insulation renovations can be partially covered by a number of schemes
What will happen to our holiday home in France when we die? John Kitching, a director of French Law Consultancy Limited, answers a reader query
Bordeaux down 6.8%, Nice up 1% - current price data for flats in France Our chart shows changes over a year and the average price per square metre
French property prices: which areas show rises and which falls? September will be a critical month for the market, say notaires
Are French estate agents’ property valuations reliable? There are a variety of options to get a realistic idea of a home’s value
What repairing our French farmhouse taught me about tiling Tuile canal can be seen across the rooftops of central France, but can be notoriously tricky to repair
Expandable homes gain popularity in France Prospective homeowners battling high property prices are increasingly turning to modular houses designed for easy future expansions
Why is French notaire asking me to provide origin of funds for purchase? Both domestic and overseas payments may be subject to such checks
Can I avoid having ugly pylons near my French home? Fibre is being rolled out to France's rural areas
Explained: safety rules for home pools in France and risks if do not comply Barriers, alarms, shelters - we look at what features are required for pool owners
Tiny houses surge in popularity across France Despite rising costs, these properties offer eco-friendly, innovative solutions
Seven million French properties risk fine under new declaration rule Many owners have still not completed the obligatory Biens Immobiliers. The deadline was June 30
French second home: in what cases can you be exempt from taxe d’habitation? Reductions are no longer available but in certain cases owners can be exempted
French DIY chain to stop selling ‘low efficiency’ air con units Leroy Merlin claims some models use too much energy for the gain they give
Air conditioning at French home: what aid is available to install this? Many people look for units to cool homes down as summer months get hotter for longer
Small swimming pools make a splash in France Mini pools under 10m2 are rising in popularity although getting one to avoid paying taxes is a 'silly decision'
Do I keep right to stay in French property for free if owner dies? Rights to remain in a property after the owner's death can be complex
Can I use bottled gas in my French property? Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query
Eco-friendly shower wins French invention medal People can enjoy hot showers with minimal environmental impact, using only a few litres of water compared to hundreds from a bath or traditional shower
Second home in France: how to save on running costs Tax reductions and aid for renovation work can also help boost investment value
‘Unfair’: Anger over €6,000 bill for clearing neighbour land in France Débroussaillement is the clearing of overgrowth from a property - and in some cases residents are legally obliged to clear a neighbour’s land at their own cost
PHOTOS: Couple build French home out of old shipping containers Total costs for the 145m² home - and a rental unit within - came in at under €275,000
First water restrictions of 2024 in two departments of south-west France High temperatures and a lack of rainfall have caused water levels to drop