Practical property

What are the rules on fitting air conditioning into homes in France?

Work declaration, noise levels, professional certification - we review what is needed

French ‘property use’ declaration deadline: who has to submit before July 1?

Declarations have been required since 2023

French court backs homeowners in capital gains tax dispute over primary residence

No capital gains tax is due on the sale of a person's main home

practical

French renovation grants maintained for insulation and boiler replacements

Applications for ‘monogestes’ will not be paused during summer months

Did you know? These items are banned at a French vide-grenier clear-out sale

You should be aware of prohibited items if planning to declutter this summer

Map: Latest water restrictions across France and how public is affected

A dry spring in the north has left many areas under drought alert

What do you risk if paying a friend to do work at French home without a contract?

This can often be for smaller projects such as repainting a room, mowing the lawn or laying new carpet.

What types of water can be used to fill swimming pool at French home?

New pools can be filled in for the first time despite drought restrictions

Is it best to sell usufruit property in France before returning to the UK?

You need to agree to sell the property with the person or people who own the residual legal rights

Can you cancel a joint loan in France following a separation from your partner?

There are several issues to consider

Estimate renovation gains to French home with new official tool

Studies claim properties in some regions could see their values increase by 20% following energy-efficiency upgrades

MaPrimeRénov' scheme in France paused – how are ongoing projects affected?

Excess fraud and the increase in applications lead to suspension of scheme

France’s ‘garden shed’ tax: how to check if it has been paid – and what to do if not

Taxe d’aménagement is payable on a wide range of structures including pools, garden sheds and other outbuildings

Are we required to connect our French home to new communal sewage system?

The process can be expensive but some financial aid is available

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

In some departments close to 20% of properties are second 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

What are the rules on changing your windows in France?

Properties in certain protected areas face strict regulations

Can stepchildren inherit property under French succession law?

French succession laws can affect inheritance of property from a step-parent

Why short-term rentals face declining profitability in France

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

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

Nice was among the cities to see prices rise last year

What are the rules for installing wooden shutters in France?

Some areas require shutters to conform to aesthetic rules

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

Some areas saw prices fall by up to 16% in 12 months, but others are finally seeing growth

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

Disorderly pets can wreak havoc on gardens

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

You may need to consult your neighbour to repair border walls

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

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

Practical property

What are the rules on fitting air conditioning into homes in France?

French ‘property use’ declaration deadline: who has to submit before July 1?

French court backs homeowners in capital gains tax dispute over primary residence

French renovation grants maintained for insulation and boiler replacements

Trending

EasyJet to begin four new UK-France flight routes

Heatwave begins in south-west France: what temperatures to expect

More Citroën cars in France issued with ‘stop drive’ orders after driver death

France braces for heatwave: 38C expected in Paris and 37C in south-west

Learning French: Ça tape and nine other expressions for hot weather

French court backs homeowners in capital gains tax dispute over primary residence

What France’s new ‘simplification law’ could change for you

Did you know? These items are banned at a French vide-grenier clear-out sale

Map: Latest water restrictions across France and how public is affected

What do you risk if paying a friend to do work at French home without a contract?

What types of water can be used to fill swimming pool at French home?

Is it best to sell usufruit property in France before returning to the UK?

Can you cancel a joint loan in France following a separation from your partner?

Estimate renovation gains to French home with new official tool

MaPrimeRénov' scheme in France paused – how are ongoing projects affected?

France’s ‘garden shed’ tax: how to check if it has been paid – and what to do if not

Are we required to connect our French home to new communal sewage system?

Is it possible to obtain a DPE energy audit remotely in France?

Bridging loan alternative offers French property owners quick access to finance

How France's energy ratings system is affecting property prices

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

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?

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?

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?