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 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
France embraces the rise of the robot mowers Automated robots can keep lawns looking clean with just a weekend of work, and basic models can start from less than €1,000
Do I need permission to install a shelter for my outdoor French pool? Rules can vary dependent upon the structure and the location of a property
France expands number of areas that can bring in rent controls More than 650 communes have been reclassified to allow this. Many more places can now now also offer interest-free home loans for first-time buyers
Thousands more French second homes face 2024 tax rises Over 500 new communes have voted for 60% levy on vacant second homes
38 communes in south France recognised as new drought disaster zones People affected can now claim on their catastrophe naturelle insurance, but the issue looks set to reoccur this year
If the party wall at our French home is damaged are repair costs shared? A neighbour is undertaking renovations to their property
France's top court limits 10-year guarantee on heat pumps The landmark ruling also excludes stove inserts in renovations
Owner will gift historic French castle for free…there is a catch The current owners cannot afford the urgent repairs needed to make the site safe
Can I rent the swimming pool at my French second home to neighbours? Swimming pools are a popular choice for second home owners
New tool helps homeowners in France assess drought damage risk Properties built in clay soil areas are particularly affected with up to ten million homes currently at risk of the problem 84 areas of south of France declared drought disaster zones: what changes? Reminder: deadline for French property declaration is tonight What are the rules on fitting air conditioning into homes in France?
Larger houses struggling to sell as post-Covid boom disappears Purchasing power is decreasing but for those with funds, it remains a buyer's market Alerts raised over tradespeople cashing in after French storms in south-west French property market grinds to standstill awaiting election Do I need permission to paint the roof of my second home in France? Final days for French property owners to make declaration in 2024 What can I do if septic tank is non-conformé at French second home?
Stunning French arboretum to celebrate 10 years of 'Open Gardens' Sarah Beattie speaks to gardener Nell, whose spectacular Creuse arboretrum is listed as a ‘Jardin Remarquable’
Can Britons get mortgage to buy French property post-Brexit? Banks tend to be more cautious in lending to non-residents outside the EU
How to finance a septic tank in France The limited options include several types of loans and some discounts
MAP: See where prices for rural properties fell most in France in 2023 Transactions in one region are down more than 30% with prices falling as much as 24% in some departments
How to deal with builder delays to your property in France Devis, or quotes, are legally binding for both builders and clients even in the case of delays so it is important to take the right steps
Should property buyers take out ‘forced resale’ insurance in France? Buyers can be insured against property price falls – but only under certain conditions
Top tips for house hunting in France What is essential to consider when buying in France? We ask the experts
What are the recycling rules in France? Has something changed? We are all encouraged to go greener, but making sense of what can and cannot be recycled is not always obvious. We cover what objects can and cannot go in yellow French recycling bins
Could the French property slump be coming to an end in 2024? French property market: 6 new trends highlighted by notaires
I have lost property deeds for French home - how do I get a copy? Certified copies of ownership deeds may also be needed by those who inherit a property
MAP: see where house prices are rising and falling around France Some areas have risen by almost 9% but others have dropped by more than 10%, new notaire data shows
Can I leave furniture in French second home when I sell it? Fitted kitchens often remain behind as they can be complicated to uninstall
Solar panels in France for €1 with grants: is this still possible? Companies may offer panels at cheap prices, with grants and production buy-backs allegedly making up the difference
Viager in France and releasing capital from a French property People who sell en viager can stay living in their home and receive a lump sum along with a monthly sum for life
Not respecting planning permission can cost you (a lot) in France Extensions that go over permitted amounts can be demolished – with owners having to pick up the costs – if neighbours are affected
Home renovation grants simplified in France from today It should now be easier to apply for help to install a new boiler, for example, but homeowners will need to act quickly
French acronyms explained: HLM We kick off our series on common acronyms with one renters may be familiar with
French property taxes, car sales, pharmacy strike: 5 practical updates Our round-up of recent practical articles you may have missed
Four factors that can lower the value of French property Location and energy efficiency can impact property prices significantly
Can I avoid rubbish collection charges in France? The household waste collection tax is detailed on a taxe foncière statement
Septic tanks expose difference between law and reality in France The tanks can reveal stark differences between French and British laws... and the attitude of homeowners towards them
EXPLAINED: France’s property wealth tax 2024 Who pays impôt sur la fortune immobilière, how much and when
How much should you pay for house insurance where you live in France? We look at average prices around the regions of France and the main cities
What does 10-year builder insurance cover in France? The assurance décennale saw changes after a recent court case
PHOTOS: €527,000 buys you ancient castle with a museum in west France ‘It may be little but it’s the real thing’
Rules to know if someone lives with you for free in France Who can be included in this definition, what are the tax implications, and how can you provide proof of address?
Tax questions, boiler grants, May changes: 5 French practical updates Our round-up of practical articles you may have missed
Thousands of jobs lost as new building permits plummet in France In the south constructions have dropped by almost a third
New shed, veranda, pool: how to declare in France and what time frame Tax authorities have been using AI software to track down undeclared extensions
Tax rises for property owners: French mayors say they have no choice ‘A commune cannot borrow to cover its running costs. We don’t have the right, unlike the central state’
Planning to replace your boiler at home in France? Now is a good time Eco-friendly alternatives will be easier – and cheaper – to install from mid-May
Address change deadline looms for one million French homes Mairies of small communes must update a government website with all the new street names and house numbers
Medical fees, eco-grants, gas prices: 5 changes this May in France We also include the French income tax declaration deadlines for residents and second-home owners and other dates coming up
Phone scams, gardening, insurance claims: 5 French practical updates Our roundup of recent practical articles you may have missed
House ruined by wood-rotting fungus - ‘French insurance will not pay’ Fungus can be swept in through windows and vents and lead to extensive damage. Insurers consider it homeowners’ fault
Heat pump insurance cover downgraded for many home owners in France Wood-burning stoves are also affected following a court ruling
What items can I take to local tip in France? Are any banned? Déchetteries can accept various types of non-household waste
Stay up-to-date: 20 recent and upcoming changes in France We cover tax updates, renovation scheme revamps, possible money changes for British residents and more
Where in France are people now negotiating most off a property? Some towns are seeing price drops of 9%
Do US citizens need documents notarised at embassy in France? Some real estate procedures for US property sales require a notary
How to check for leaks in your French home without a smart water meter Homeowners should do regular checks to monitor their water consumption
Woman wins local tax fight over French home invaded by squatters A court has ordered that she is refunded four years of the tax. It was her fourth attempt to be exonerated
Interest rates for loans to buy property in France continue to fall The drop may help kickstart the market as banks and politicians explore new ways to boost home sales
Obligatory property declaration in France: paper forms now available Missing declarations must be made by June 30, 2024. Up to one in six property owners did not complete this new declaration last year
What changes require you to make new property declaration in France? Tax officials have sent out an email reminding people of the rules
Explained: Why you might need a certificat d’urbanisme in France How to get the document and what information it reveals about plots of land and planning issues
‘Tiny swimming pools’ catch on in France as easier and cheaper option Smaller pools are not subject to same regulations as larger conventional ones
No state payout for requisitioned homes built illegally in France Properties built without permission do ‘not retain right’ to expropriation compensation, states new court ruling
Landowner in France fined for theft committed by squatters Court claims he was aware of squatters stealing electricity but did not respond to energy supplier letters
How much can property buyers in France negotiate down prices in 2024? An explosion in the number of homes on sale coupled with a drop in values - and looming new energy efficiency rules - is opening up opportunities
Where do we pay house inheritance tax in France? John Kitching, a director of French Law Consultancy Limited, answers a reader query
Are there restrictions on building garden walls in France? Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query
France revamps energy renovation grants scheme to boost take-up MaPrimeRénov’ rules for homeowners and tradespeople to become simpler after applications plummet
Second-home owners in France could soon face insurance surcharge Government report recommends creating a prevention fund with insurance sector at risk of collapse over natural disaster payouts
Explained: How to settle disputes without going to court in France We look at the new ‘amicable’ process for everyday civil claims introduced to find out-of-court solutions
Search for Irishman who has left French home abandoned for 22 years Property is to be demolished following a court order as it is starting to fall down onto the street
Owners cannot access French home over fears it may fall into sea Property and surrounding land in Normandy is off-limits until authorities can confirm there will be no imminent damage after landslide
Homeowners in France at risk of being sued by subcontractors If the main contractor fails to pay up, the property owner may be liable, a new ruling confirms
Can you open a bank account in France without a local address? Banks are free to deny an account to anyone and are not required to provide justification for their decision
Why it is hard to find people to do French eco-renovation grant work Almost one-fifth of trade companies did not renew their certification for 2024