Practical property

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

practical

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

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

Is it illegal to fit a boiling water tap in France?

Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query

Home buyers given wrong French bank details and must now pay again

Cooperative gave them IBAN of a tradesperson it employed in error. Court has ordered that couple must pay a second €70,000 payment for the property

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

Is a second home subject to gift tax in France?

Notaires are required to confirm the transaction

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

Practical property

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

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

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

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

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Best places to live in France for over-60s, according to new ranking

Great white shark spotted in waters off south of France

EES: What are next steps for EU’s new digital border checks?

Where is snow now expected in France this week?

Why bank cards are changing in France

Electric ants spotted in south of France for second time

14 recent and upcoming changes for living in France

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

Is French second-home property tax levied on garages?

AirBnb rental laws to be toughened in France

French fire service asks people to check for empty or unused gas bottles at home

Are drain unblockers for septic tanks commercially available in France?

400 French communes declared natural disaster zones after October floods

How much does a house cost in ‘the healthiest department’ in France?

French property market: Six key points from latest notaire data

MAP: house price falls in France - see how your area fares in new notaire data

What are the rules for domestic wind turbine installation in France?

Why home insurance costs are expected to rise in France next year

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

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

More second homes in France face higher tax under new proposal

Oise: Properties you can buy from €39,000 to €1.9m in the north of France

How I revived the rusty railings at our old French farmhouse

French property and tax: 7 common questions

What are the rules on building a fence at French property?

What is the ‘soil survey’ required before fitting a septic tank in France?

Obligatory garden clearance in France: New campaign clarifies who is impacted

French second home tax notices to be sent in November - who pays it?

How to see the sale price of property in France near you

What do French estate agents mean by a maison de caractère?

How is surplus energy sold to EDF declared on French tax form?

Flooding: why it is important to check your French property damage policy

How to prepare your swimming pool in France for the upcoming winter

Natural disaster zones declared near Nice: insurance deadline looms

What exactly does maison secondaire mean in France?

Are the shutters on my French house essential for insurance?

What gift tax is liable on property in France for UK residents?

What are the rules for wood-burning stoves in France?

Change to timeline of energy efficiency rules for French homes announced by PM

Can I cancel French property tax payments in advance if I will be 75 next year?

Why are there strict rules around façades on France's streets?

Must solar panels installed at home be insured in France?

Court jails large-scale solar panel scammer, 800 victims in France

How to settle neighbourhood disputes in France

MAP: which French cities resisted house price drops of 2023?

PHOTOS: See inside our quirky French home, a 13th-Century watermill

What does the 'pool squat' case mean for property owners in France?

Millions of property owners in France still risk fine

PHOTOS: Four chateaux for sale for under $1 million in Dordogne

Is a second home subject to gift tax in France?

Are French property owners set for some good tax news?

MAP: Which areas in France are most popular with second-home owners?

Households in France without a Linky meter to suffer additional costs

2024 French property tax: which areas are seeing the highest rises?

Over 1,000 more French towns to levy higher tax on second homes

Is it possible to buy my ex-partner's share in French home?

Are €1 home insulation offers in France a scam?

What will happen to our holiday home in France when we die?

Bordeaux down 6.8%, Nice up 1% - current price data for flats in France

French property prices: which areas show rises and which falls?

Are French estate agents’ property valuations reliable?

What repairing our French farmhouse taught me about tiling

Expandable homes gain popularity in France

Why is French notaire asking me to provide origin of funds for purchase?

Can I avoid having ugly pylons near my French home?

Explained: safety rules for home pools in France and risks if do not comply