EXPERT
property search will save you lots of time and avoid any unpleasant surprises further down the line. Maître Hébras estimates that
approximately a quarter of her clients are British. Her advice for international househunters is to know your ‘why’ before spending a single centime on a French property. “Ask yourself if it’s to invest
in a foreign property, so that your children can inherit a home in France, or if it’s to rent out and give you an income,” she says. “Is it to use for a short time as a second home? Or do you plan on relocating permanently to France, either immediately or later in life?” Depending on your answer
to this question, a notaire can advise you on how best to proceed with your purchase. For example, if you’re thinking of buying a property with a very low energy rating, you won’t be allowed to rent it out under French law unless you undertake significant home improvements first. The national website for
notaires in France is a useful source of information when househunting. You’ll find an easy-to-use calculator, which estimates the fees payable to a notaire for property purchases, based on the house price and the commune. It’s the buyer’s responsibility to pay the notaire, so this is a fantastic tool for managing your budget.
HOW THE LAND LIES In small communes, problems can arise when purchasing rural properties that come with vast amounts of land. Househunters may chase after the dream of a tranquil home in the idyllic French countryside with several thousand square metres of lush gardens and fields. However, maintaining more than 5,000m2
of land can
prove to be a headache and a never-ending battle to keep the weeds under control. Often, the solution is to sell
off some of the land or to rent it out to a local farmer who is more than willing to use the extra terrain. Domfront-en-Poiraie is a
sought-after commune in the peaceful department of Orne in Normandy. With a good range
Many Brits live in Domfront, Normandy, with its easy access to the UK
sadder times, including the preparation of wills. If you’re planning to get
Confolens in Charente is another popular town with British homebuyers
married in France, be sure to book an appointment with your local notaire to discuss which marriage contract is the right choice for you. They can clearly explain the difference between the ‘séparation de biens’ contract and the ‘régime communautaire’ so you can weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of each and make an informed decision depending on your situation.
LEGAL UNIONS You can also obtain useful information on the French PACS (pacte civil de solidarité) regime. This civil contract is a legal union that gives a couple many rights and privileges without being married. Surprisingly for Maître
“Head to your nearest notaire’s office and you’ll discover a treasure trove of information”
of amenities, this Petite Cité de Caractère is a bustling town in a rural location. Its easy access to Mont St-Michel, the ferry service at Caen and the coast makes it a popular choice with British property seekers – especially those looking for a holiday home or who want to maintain close links with family and friends in the UK. Maître Trisha Clostermann
runs a busy notarial office in this charming, medieval town and she regularly helps British homeowners who encounter problems when allowing some of their land to be used by a third party. She recommends consulting a notaire before entering into any sort of contract – either verbal or written – to lease a part or all of your land. “The absence of a written
contract doesn’t mean that a contract doesn’t exist,” she explains. “Once established, a ‘contrat de rural bail’ (lease) has consequences, which means you may not be able to take
back your land easily. This can then cause problems should you want to sell your house and land at a later date. It’s a good idea to discuss your options with a notaire before agreeing to any use of your surplus land. Even a quick verbal agreement can have consequences.” Maître Clostermann also
highlights the importance of carrying out proper research into the local area before purchasing a property, and recommends checking with a notaire to see if your dream home lies in a restricted zone. “In Domfront, for example,
there are several historic monuments around the château. If you purchase a property within this area, you’ll need to get authorisation from the architects at Bâtiments de France before starting any exterior work on your home.” It is often said in France
that notaires accompany you through every stage of life – from happy events, such as marriage contracts, to
Hébras, most of the legal queries that she deals with from British homeowners in Charente don’t concern marriage contracts or property transactions. Instead, they focus on wills and testaments. “Many clients are completely
unaware of the implications of a French will,” she explains. “They’re often shocked to discover that they can’t bequeath their estate to whomever they choose. Children have an automatic right of inheritance in France, which isn't the case on the other side of the Channel.” Maître Clostermann says
that she also sees this pattern among her British clients. “Many notaires speak English, so don’t hesitate to book an appointment for information on French wills even if you’re worried about the language barrier,” she advises. “We’re always here to help.” ■
For more information, visit
notaires.fr/en
TOP TIP
When dealing with your local notaire, be sure to address them correctly. “Bonjour Maître” is the acceptable greeting for all notaires, and you can add their surname at the end for a more formal tone.
FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: March/April 2025 65
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148
