The French Property Buyer's Handbook

Natalie Avella is a part-time design writer and full-time francophile. She lives in London, fortunately close to Waterloo and an easy hop to the south of France.

About the author Acknowledgements Preface What the book covers Who the book is for How the book is structured Supporting web site Introduction 1. It's a big decision - what to consider first Where to buy Getting to France Hiring a car Interview with a property buyer 2. Overview of the French property market Interview with a property buyer 3. Choosing an area Understanding France's communes, departements and regions Interview with a property buyer 4. What type of property Old property The different styles of old property Buying an old property Renovating an old property New property Buying off-plan (sur plan) Apartments (copropriete) Management of the building Annual meeting between owners How charges are divided between apartments Le Reglement de Copropriete The area of your copropriete Other information to feature in the acte de vente Summary Shared ownership (bi-propriete) Timeshares Costs of timeshares Timeshare exchange Timeshare law Avoiding the Hard Sell Owners Clubs Renting Interview with a property buyer 5. Building your own house Architects Using an architect Fees Questions to ask an architect's firm If you already have architectural plans Land Finding land Lotissements Planning permission Builders Choosing a builder Contracts Mandatory guarantees and insurances Builder problems When the work is finished Types of contracts Using a maitre d'oeuvre (master of works) Employing independent tradespeople and supervising the entire project yourself Building an environmentally friendly property Building a swimming pool Builders merchants and DIY shops Interview with a property buyer 6. How to find that perfect property The internet Agent immobilier (the estate agent) Notaires UK-based agents Personal property searchers Petites annonces (classifieds) Auctions Viewing and information in advance The day of the auction After the auction Interviews with agencies in France 7. The property transaction Surveys Contracts and conveyancing The role of the notaire The preliminary contract (avant-contrat) Checks made by the notaire following the avant-contrat Pre-emption rights (Droits de pre-emption) Final contract (acte de vente) Legal advice Fees for purchasing the property Notaire's fees Agent immobilier fees Other payments Mortgages Where to get your mortgage? Mortgage terms Getting the process going Interview with a property buyer 8. Moving in Removals Interview with a property buyer 9. Living in France Visa requirements Entry and residence of EU Nationals Entry and residence of non EU Nationals Currency The Euro Banks La Banque de France French bank Banking at La Poste English speaking banking services Choosing your bank Opening a bank account Transferring money Tax Income tax Capital gains tax Wealth tax Taxe sur la valeur ajoutee TVA (VAT) Tax on pensions Local taxes Inheritance Wills French Succession Law Inheritance Tax Ownership en indivision Clause Tontine Change of matrimonial regime Lifetime gifts Societe Civile Immobiliere Les Union Libres and P.A.C.S Social security Healthcare Learning French Evening courses Specialised centres Private tutoring Self-study Online courses Telephone/Email tutorials Bi-lingual magazines and books Learning French in France Childrens' education State schools or private? Registering your child with a state-run school The stages of school Energy in France Electricity Gas Bottled gas Solar energy Using your fireplace Heating with oil Cost comparisons Cars Taking your car to France Buying a car in France Driving licences Vehicle insurance Taking pets abroad Dogs and cats Taking your horse or pony to France Other pets (including rabbits and guinea pigs) Animal welfare and the long journey Holiday home swapping Interview with a property buyer 10. Working in France Running a gite or a B&B Chambre d'hote (B&B) Gites Employment in France Being employed Starting a business in France Interview with a property buyer Appendices Regions of France Alsace Aquitaine Auvergne Basse-Normandie Bourgogne Bretagne Centre Champagne-Ardenne Corse Franche-Comte Haute-Normandie Paris/Ile-de-France Languedoc-Roussillon Limousin Lorraine Midi-Pyrenees Nord-Pas-De-Calais Pays de la Loire Picardie Poitou-Charentes Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur Rhone-Alpes Region Statistics Glossary of property terms Glossary of older property styles Facts about France General Geography Population Society Culture Economy Transport A brief history of France Public holidays Useful addresses - embassies and consulates Further reading Index