THE KNOWLEDGE
TOP TIPS FOR LOOKING AFTER A SECOND HOME
W
are often fees to pay to the company in order to be given rights to alter or extend an apartment within the block, and it can be substantial. In a recent case, the owner of an apartment had to pay €18,000 for the privilege, and that was before any planning application could be submitted, with no guaranteed outcome… And finally, architectural
heritage is of utmost importance. It is rare that anything other than traditional
materials and colours are permitted, with the archetypal timber-clad Alpine chalet being the most common base for all planning and design requirements. Many communes have
other regulations too – for example, the orientation of roofs must be in line with other properties in the area in order to give a uniform appearance, and the pitch of a roof must be within certain limits for the same reason.
e have just bought a second home in France and would
welcome some advice on the best ways to maintain and care for it?
EDWARD COLLINS of Papillon Maintenance responds (
papillonmaintenance.com): Congratulations on buying your second home! Firstly it may seem very obvious but keeping a maintained garden is really important, not only to give the appearance that someone is regularly there but also so that within the community your house is not the abandoned- looking mess. I would recommend a
simple garden design as the lower maintenance it is, the easier and cheaper it will be to maintain. Many people are fortunate and can rely on a neighbour or employ the services of a local gardener. Purchase a ‘Stop pub’ sticker
for your post box. This will stop all unwanted junk mail and prevent your mailbox from becoming full and overflowing. The majority of important mail can be redirected to your primary address but if not, it means that it won’t become lost among all the junk. Have someone in France
to spend on litigation if things go wrong. Not only will you have to pay legal fees to defend your case, but you may also have to pay bailiffs’ and legal experts’ fees. If you lose the lawsuit, you
will also pay compensation to the other party. Even if you win the case, courts will not always award the full cost of fixing the contentious issue, and never award the full amount of the legal fees you’ll have paid. The intervention of a lawyer between the estate agent and the notary can save you thousands of euros and years of litigation aſter the transaction.
who can be a key holder; this can prove very helpful should there be any problems or you just want the property checked. This could be a paid service or a neighbour. Alternatively, a key safe at
the property is a good idea, in a discreet place, so that when arriving you can always gain entry to your property. It’s no fun arriving without a key! Turn everything off when
leaving your property for long periods. Again this may seem like common sense but make
Get in touch!
Ask your questions about French property or life in France... Email:
karen.tait@francemedia.com Alternatively, you can post your question on our Facebook page
FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: September/October 2023 93
Edward Collins
sure that your mains water is switched off and also your electricity to hopefully avoid any problems. A really useful tip is to
make yourself a ‘closing the property down’ checklist. We all know that when packing up after a long stay, it can be easy to forget things. I have arrived at properties where a light has been left on or, more commonly, random shutters have not been closed. So a simple checklist can give you the peace of mind that nothing has been forgotten. Ensure your property is
secure. Although I’m sure it is in a lovely location, unfortunately crime can still occur. Shutters are great; not only are they secure, they also stop anyone from being able to look into your property. They are such a common sight in France that it doesn’t look out of place to have the house locked down with them. Install fit-for-purpose locks,
if you don’t already have them. When we were given the key to our French home, it looked like something out of a fairy story. It was a beautiful key, but massive, not good for everyday use so I’d recommend investing in good locks on strong doors. Last but not least, making
friends within the community is priceless as it not only makes for great holidays, but there’s always someone keeping an eye on your property for you.
© SHUTTERSTIOCK
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