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Question to ask when buying property in France

So you’ve made the decision to buy your pied a terre in France, and it’s action stations to be sure that you can make it happen as quickly as possible.

You’ve gone through the portfolio of properties that correspond to your criteria, and you, your agent, or your buyer’s representative are planning to visit properties.

House buying anywhere requires a cool head even when the property has been a coup de coeur (love at first sight). When you’ve whittled your list down to two or three key properties, this is the time to get some answers to key questions that might sway your decision one way or the other.

Below we’ve listed some key questions to get the ball rolling. For your convenience, we’ve also added the French translations to help you on your way.

DOCUMENTS TO ASK FOR

Naturally, any purchase of property involves a number of different documents. The notary (solicitor) and/or the agents acting on your behalf will obtain these documents and explain them to you.

On your side, you will need to provide:

  1. Proof of identity, marital status, and address
    (ID documents, proof of family situation and address)

  2. Details of how you will finance the new property
    (Information regarding the method of financing)

The seller will need to provide the following documents, which are usually collected by the notary:

  1. Title deed
    (Proof of ownership)

  2. Most recent tax assessments for the three taxes – income tax, property tax, and residence tax
    (Latest income tax notice, property tax notice, and residence tax notice)

  3. All documents relating to any construction work or alterations carried out on the property – building permits, extension permits, etc.
    (Documents relating to works and modifications – building permit, works authorisation, etc.)

  4. Technical diagnostic file
    (Technical diagnostic report)

GENERAL QUESTIONS

1. Why is the property up for sale?

2. How long have the sellers lived there? Or used it as their French base?

3. Has it been on the market a long time?

4. How long does it take to get to town/the beach/the airport/the motorway?

5. What is the local environment like – where’s the best boulangerie? Restaurants? Schools?

You might want to expand the questions above depending on your personal situation and the property you are considering buying.

DIGGING DEEPER

1. What is the condition of the roof? Is there any major work to do to it?

2. What services are there (sewage, drainage, water supply, electricity, gas etc.)?

2a. Is the property on mains drainage or septic tank (fosse septique)?

2b. If septic tank, is it relatively new?

Note: There have been recent changes to the regulations concerning septic tanks so if it’s an older one, it will need to be brought up to speed and you will need to obtain proof that it conforms to current regulations (certificat de conformite).

3. Is broadband or fibre optic internet available and what upload and download speeds are possible?

4. What fixtures and fittings are included? French sellers often take everything, including light fittings.

5. Is the swimming pool a recent installation and if not, are there any problems with tiling, pump, safety barriers etc?

6. Has there been an independent structural survey?

7. Could I have a copy of results of any such survey, plus invoices for any work undertaken, and also the technical diagnosis?

8. How much are the annual fees for the property taxes (taxe foncières etc.)?

9. If there have been recent modifications, are they still under guarantee?

10. Has planning permission for any alterations or extensions ever been refused?

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LAND

1. Who owns the land/property around your property?

2. What are the boundaries to your property?

3. Are the boundaries shown on the land register (plan cadastral)?

4. Who is responsible for the maintenance of the boundaries?

5. Are there any rights of way over the land, formal or informal?

6. What is the relationship with neighbours?

7. Are there any disputes/claims in progress?

8. Are there any pipes, cables or similar running through your property which concern your neighbours?

9. If there is open land, is it agricultural land or might it be ‘constructible’ now or in the near future?

10. Are the local/regional authorities planning any big infrastructure projects (motorways, etc)?

11. Is the access to your property private or public? If private, who owns it and has responsibility for its maintenance?

INVESTMENT POTENTIAL

1. Have you ever rented out the property either long term or short term?

2. What kind of revenue did you earn from that?

3. Does the property come with any other assets? Website, videos etc?

TAXES & BILLS

1. What is the cost of Tax Foncière on this property?

Bear in mind you will also have to pay ‘Tax d’Habitation’ but the cost of that depends on your income so it is different from one person to the next.

2. Are you able to share energy bills and expected output?

The list is not exhaustive but having the answers to these questions will give you much more reassurance about the property.

If the current owners don’t have some of the answers or documents about the land, get your representative to visit the local town hall (mairie) where the documents for land surveys, building permission and so on are lodged.

Good luck and bienvenue to your new home!

Contact us for more information

You can contact the France offices using the details below. Send your enquiry and a member of staff will get in touch as soon as possible.

BEAUCHAMP ESTATES
CANNES

19 Rue des États-Unis
06400 Cannes
France

T: +33 (0) 4 93 94 45 45
E: [email protected]

BEAUCHAMP ESTATES
SAINT-TROPEZ

2 Avenue Marechal Foch
83990 St-Tropez
France

T: +33 (0) 4 94 81 53 61
E: [email protected]

BEAUCHAMP ESTATES
MOUGINS

31, Avenue Saint Basile
06250 Mougins
France

T: +33 (0) 4 92 92 23 69
E: [email protected]

BEAUCHAMP ESTATES
ST-JEAN-CAP-FERRAT

5, Avenue Claude Vignon
06230 St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
France

T: +33 (0) 4 93 04 73 43
E: [email protected]

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