I have been in contact with my colleague Joanna who says that if the property is not lived in it shouldn't be an issue, there are many derelict properties about. My partner and I have just purchased a ruin to restore. Lastly, make regular visits (if you're not 'camping out' at the property!) You will also have to commit a fair amount of time and attention throughout the project. The waters are indeed murky, and change is afoot now that Sarkozy is in power. You should also be aware of the different rates of TVA that come into play for old and new properties. What does seem to be clear is that the only way to be sure you are exempt from capital gains tax is to live in the property as your principal residence and to be a French tax payer for at least two years. To protect against fire, you have a legal obligation to clear away any dry undergrowth around your property at least 50 metres from the house by 1 July of each year. It hasn't cost more than you can afford because you have controlled the expenditure. One of the main and most important things we need to do is change some of the floorboards (woodworm - predictably). There are questions I hope you are able to answer or point me in the right direction: Ovens, washing machines, dish washers and hot water tanks must be on their own individual circuit breaker. In general, modern European plumbing fittings are similar, but if in doubt simply purchase all your fittings and materials in France and you should have no problems with compatibility. When youre planning what to do with your outside space, bear in mind the level of maintenance a garden will need, especially if youre not going to be living in France all year round. Rustic spaces - desire to inspire - desiretoinspire.net, L Kae Interiors - desire to inspire - desiretoinspire.net, An award-winning French farmhouse restoration | Period Living. Am I right? The only way to be sure of your own liability is to take professional advice, preferably with a local expert who will be aware of all current legislation. The same applies if you are employing an artisan who is only registered under the new auto entrepreneur scheme. As long as they are properly registered (look for the Siret number) then there should be no problem in doing this. You may require professional help in preparing this schedule which should relate to the 'survey' you had carried out when you bought the house. to ensure that the building is going to plan. ** SEE "Capital Gains Tax in France on Property" FOR REVISED RULES. Thanks for contacting us. You may move into your new French home and be completely happy with it the way it is. If your upload form doesn't display within a few seconds, please check the FAQ or contact us at hello@uploadthingy.com. Once more, although you can do your own basic plumbing work on a renovation, it often pays to use a qualified local tradesman who will be familiar with the local water pressure and perhaps some of the more outlandish fittings found in very old properties. Planning to keep the property for a relatively short time? Oddly in the UK the planners love the Co-planar velux style windows for attic (grenier) conversions and dormer windows would not get through. (Installing a swimming pool in France.). (Owning Gtes and Chambres D'Hotes (B&Bs) in France. Check that he has a Siret number, and this will be your guarantee that he is registered, qualified and accountable. Wasps and hornets frequently nest in roof tiles and can present a real hazard to roofers. How To Decorate Like a Parisian from apartment therepy. There are numerous things to consider - from the arliest stages of checking whether planning permission will be granted, to the final challenges of getting your newly renovated home ready to live in, while maintaining the authentic qualities that you are looking for in a renovated home (if you wanted a new home you'd just buy one!). French Legal Services If you are bent on doing the work yourself you will need to be aware of major differences between France and the UK in terms of important areas such as electrics, plumbing and roofing. The third option is to do your house renovation all by your own fair hand. So just to clarify things, if you work on the property yourself, and are not a registered artisan working in a "rel" system of taxation, you will have to pay the higher rate of TVA (19.6%) on all purchases of materials. The good news is, with a bit of planning the whole process can be great fun, a fascinating learning experience, and also extremely rewarding. Castorama sells all things practical for inside and outside the house including the kitchen sink. This should be quite detailed, showing a schedule of prices and the TVA against the various items of work. Check out Homelike today and find your new temporary home. Please could you advise on our legal responsibilities and also if you know of an insurance company that would provide public liability cover. I would like to know how I can calculate the rough building material costs of my plan for the block walls, plasterboard, windows etc so I can modify it if it is too costly. Of course a legal advisor should also be able to help, but this will cost money. Do you have any idea of what we should expect to pay this? When it comes to buying appliances and other household items, check out the huge French hypermarkets like Carrefour, Auchan and Leclerc. Challenges along the way include language issues, financial problems and budgets, desigining the layout - especially challenging if you are renovating an unusual building such as a barn or castle - plumbing and wiring, walls and ceilings, doors and windows, insulationand hundreds of other little things that will demand your immediate response when your contractor comes calling! But that is unless this property poses a danger to passers by, maybe then the council can insist. It is absolutely necessary (whatever your enthusiastic immobilier agent may tell you) should you wish to make any alterations or additions to your property that will affect its taxable value. don't go for gold-plated taps and William Morris wallpapers (unless you want to, of course) - you will finish with a property with a higher re-sale value in comparison to the money you will have put into the project. If you accept this devis then you should sign a second copy with the builder which then becomes a fixed price contract if work is started within three months. The following is some advice from qualified electrician Nigel Green, who has been working in the Aude and the Arige departments of southern France for three years. It is also good to be aware of the fact that in most areas of France the water can be very high in calcium content, causing problems with lime scale build up in pipes, kettles and other equipment. Do not underestimate either, the potential difficulties you may encounter with the French language. A good notaire will advise whether or not you could benefit from this option. I think the tips are great but ignore the bit about keeping walls white. This will limit the spread of a fire and allow firemen easy access to your property if there is one. Euro Trades and Services Congratulations if youre the new owner of a French property! Had we planned to make a living through owning gtes, this could have made us candidates for disaster television before we even got off the ground. The list given here is not at all exhaustive, but may give an idea of what sort of minor changes can be made without recourse to a full planning application. Every year after this you will pay 10% less tax every year, so that after fifteen years you are no longer liable for capital gains. Thanks for contacting us. This needs to be regulated, ideally to three bar, and this is done by fitting a pressure reducing valve at the entry to the property. Regarding insurance, you may wish to try Schreinemachers (http://www.insurance.fr/), who seem to be very helpful with all aspects of insurance. These are only suitable for properties with low pitched roofs, such as are found in areas with low rain fall and warmer weather. He has now been told by the local council to fix it ( which he can't at the moment due to lack of finance) or he will have to pay them 50,000 francs (sic) for them to fix it. Clearly it is necessary to decide, realistically, what you are able to tackle, and you should perhaps listen to the advice of those who know you best on this one, as it can be hard to take an objective view when your heart is crying out for a beautiful wreck! (Though I would also be a little suspicious with no plans/guarantees from builders etc.) ), Whatever changes you wish to make to your property, it is wise to seek approval from the Mairie before you begin. All receipts from materials and labour should also be kept in order to prove that TVA has been paid on the building works. A house in France, unless it is your principal residence, will potentially be liable to capital gains tax on sale if you have developed it and made a profit. I'm afraid we don't have any English-speaking project managers listed, but you could try some companies we have listed in our Business Directory for their advice. Thanks for contacting us. the process falls broadly into three categories: 1) The general aspects of a renovation project: surveys, finding and buying a property to renovate, finances etc. The two-tiered TVA system means that traditionally registered artisans (who pay TVA) can charge for materials at the lower rate of 5.5% TVA, and pass on the savings to the client in the form of a lower bill. (Learning to speak French - Misadventures in a Foreign Tongue.) Many thanks. On balance, then, is house renovation a good or a bad idea? The southern and mountainous regions of France can experience frequent and dramatic electrical storms, and it is advisable to fit protection to your distribution box. Despite the fact that some of the initial charm of the property may seem to lie in its uneven and slightly dishevelled roof, sooner or later you realise that you need to tackle the problem in order to live a safe and comfortable life in your dream home! Learn the French property safety standards and how to create a holiday sublet for rent. You have no recourse in French law if you use someone who is undeclared or works clandestinely. Using French builders and craftsmen may earn you Brownie points with the local community, as there can be resentment against hordes of English coming into an area and promptly offering all the work to other ex-pats especially if these happen to be working "on the black" and not paying the appropriate taxes and social charges. These include oil heating systems etc. Whether you want to build or decorate an entire house or just need a hook to hang a picture, then head to giants like Bricorama, Leroy Merlin, Mr. Bricolage or Point P. Ciffro Bona specialises in building materials, and Kiloutou has for hire all the equipment or machinery you need, from a digger to a damp detector. See stages of a renovation project. Always bear in mind whether the work you do adds value to the property. The Permis de Construire is the full permit to build or develop in accordance with the law. The tiling on the floor has apparently been changed with sub-floor heating installed (although oddly they didn't put in air-conditioning). However, you may like to contact a relevant specialist from the Services section of our site (https://www.frenchpropertylinks.com/members.asp, to see if they can advise at all. It will also help you to claim against bad workmanship. On their easy-to-use portal, you'll find all sorts of rental properties, whether you're in need of a city center studio or loft apartment ready for the whole family. We'd love to help out! In France the reverse is now true. If you want to increase the power rating for your home due to extension and renovation, you should contact EDF. If you do not over specify i.e. It seems the property is not covered by any insurance. If you have photos or information that you'd like to add to this page (or if you've spotted something we've got wrong) then please enter your comments and/or select your photos and click "Send". Electrical systems are considerably different here in France from those that you will be used to in the UK. Europeans embracve color that we north americans are terrified of. I would suggest you get in touch with some builders in France, perhaps using our Business Directory, to get an idea of costs. You may wish to contact some of the builders listed in our Services section of our site to see if they may be able to help, or at least point you in the right direction: For cheap and cheerful, go to Conforama. If you are renovating a house you will have to deal with technical language, decipher legal terms and fill in forms, instruct craftsmen, and also be able to understand directives and advice from local authorities. I would suggest you contact your Mairie to find out what legal responsibilities you may have, or a legal advisor, as I am no expert in these matters. A great number of the older stone houses on the market are in need of work to put them in good order having either been left empty for years or just generally neglected. You could also try the following page of our site, to find what you want: Make contact not only with agents but with architects, builders and even Geometres or Expertises (Surveyors) if necessary to obtain as much information as possible prior to your visit. Plumbing in France is also different in certain key areas. You may find our article "Property Grants available in France" (https://www.frenchpropertylinks.com/essential/property-grants-france.html) of interest. Having just removed the brambles surrounding the buildings, we are aware that it is easily accessible to curious passers-by. 2) The renovation process including the more specific areas of work involved, such as repairing a wall, laying a floor etc. (Nigel can be contacted on nigelgreen@free.fr). ), A Declaration de Travaux, or, literally translated, a declaration of works, is a basic form of planning permission which may be all you require, depending on what you are planning to do with your property. There are many different types of roof found in France, with thatched roofs popular in certain areas such as Normandy (Lower-Normandy Property Guide, Upper-Normandy Property Guide), but in general you will find that northern properties are equipped with fixed grey slate roofs whereas properties in the south have red terracotta roofs. A registered tradesman is able to take advantages of considerable tax breaks, and can purchase materials at greatly lower prices than the private individual is able to do. Buying and renovating a property in France can be stressful, time-consuming and expensive - but get it right and it will be the most exciting decision you ever made, with a lovely home or alifetime of great holidays to follow! House renovation in France is not for the faint hearted! In France all traders must have a SIRET NO and you can verify the trader's registration by using the MINITEL 3617 code SIRENE. It can, however, be very satisfying to see your dreams taking tangible shape, and to restore an unloved house to its true glory. You must have the tank pumped out and checked every four years by an approved company, and have the certificate to prove it. If you do not have additional protection, it is a good idea to unplug computer modems and televisions during storms to avoid the risk of burnout due to lightening strikes. Is planning permission necesssary in France for upgrading works within the existing building framework or for adding more windows to what is a very gloomy property in terms of natural light. I would suggest you also get confirmation from your future Mairie. A light point is any connection either on the wall, ceiling or in the ground where you can connect a light fitting. I have been in touch with my colleague Joanna in France who says: Thanks for contacting us, though I'm afraid I am not familiar with any relevant websites or publications. Contrary to popular opinion, even many French people are largely happy to see sensitive renovations being carried out on abandoned country properties, and to witness the return of life to villages which have almost become ghost towns. The main disadvantages are that the work to your home may take some months to complete and you will have to patiently wait until you can use it. There are pros and cons to this, as to everything, and not least of the cons is the cost, which will probably be around 10%. What are her rights and what does she need to do to go ahead with the work? We have erected danger signs, but we are also keen to protect ourselves from any potential liability from someone ignoring our signs and injuring themselves. Additional articles which may be of interest:Life in FranceLiving in France. They stock almost everything youll need to furnish your new home at great prices: TVs, phones, computers, white goods, kitchen appliances, bedding, crockery, DIY, garden furniture and more. The adjoining building is falling down and causing considerable damage to hers. Internally you can do what you want, but you must declare extra rooms created and the increased footprint if any. If the latter, then press on, but if it is the former you will need to take a very business like approach to renovation if you are to reap the financial rewards you envisage. The best book to explain most of what one needs to know about old French rock piles is in French and may be heavy going for some, but it is full of illustrations: La Maison Ancienne, Eyrolles publisher, ISBN: 2-212-11060-X, 30 Euros and worth very penny.Another obvious thing is if you have a fire associated with a chimney which has not been regularly cleaned, you will face a fine. There are no builders or architects plans available either. The burning question in renovation among ex-pats is whether or not you should use French or English tradesman and indeed, whether it is better to dispense with them all and go it alone. See if you can organize someone to project manage in your absence. Thanks for contacting us. Many thanks! Options for LPG or wood. No show - I am now worried as I only bought the house on the condition that the trees were taken away as they are danger to the house. Whatever the level of work, plan and budget thoroughly, and always build in a contingency. ** SEE "Capital Gains Tax in France on Property" FOR REVISED RULES AND RATES. I would suggest your son asks the council what the reasons are for demanding the repair, and if necessary then take legal advice if it still doesn't seem reasonable. This can also apply to the cutting down or uprooting of trees, so keep yourself on the right side of the law and check it out first. If you think it will all be plain sailing, just take a look at the popular television channels that love to tell the stories of those who have tried and failed! For regulations about having an AGA cooker, perhaps you could use our Business Directory and contact some builders who may be able to help. Thanks for contacting us. The windows have had double glazing put into the original frames so no external detail has been changed. Any help/advice would be very much appreciated because we are in shell shock right now! At the purchase stage insist on a clause in the compromis de vente to the effect that the purchase is subject to successfully obtaining all necessary permis de construire and certificate d'urbanisme for the proposed alterations to facades and usages respectively. Septic tanks are common in country properties, and these are subject to a highly complex set of rules and regulations. The first step towards finding out what is likely to be allowed is to seek a Certificat d'Urbanisme. Not only will he or she be familiar with the French systems but will also be able to make sure that the electrical system complies with current standards, and conforms to the French norm, the NF C15 -100. Once more, this is in no way intended to detail all the circumstances that require full planning consent, but aims simply to give an idea of such circumstances. Is there information anywhere about English speaking project managers (we live in UK, and our French house has been damaged by lightning) working in France? In 2006 my daughter bought a semi-detached house in poor repair in the Mayenne area. The benefit and satisfaction of renovating a property is that you finish with a home that pleases you because your ideas and designs have gone into it. Any property which is over two years old is eligible for the 5.5% rate of TVA on any work done, while works carried out on newer properties must be charged at 19.6%. Heres a guide on how to go about renovating, decorating and furnishing your new home; your legal obligations to maintain the safety of your property; and how to make a little spare money by renting out an empty outbuilding. He has a limited budget. Always obtain a devis (estimate) for any work that you intend to have carried out to your property. Any competent architect or builder can see major defects in buildings and warn you. Thanks for contacting us. But its far more likely that youll want to make a few changes or even undertake major renovations. 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For building work such as this and the legalities involved, I would suggest you or your daughter contact a legal advisor, perhaps using the following link from our site: "Windows usually require permission as they change the look of the exterior of a building. Surely that's not right? The installation of a septic tank, the construction of a large extension or outbuilding, and any change to the use of a building, such as converting farm buildings into residential accommodation all require a Permit de Construire. There are strict rules about owning a swimming pool in France.
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