Questions answered ... what's yours?

EVERY month we answer a selection of questions readers have sent in to us.

We have made our selection for the January edition on issues from French politics to dealing with unwanted bees or the requirement for fiscal representatives when selling a holiday home.

They include:

• How can I get involved day-to-day with French politics?
• What are the fire rules for hotels?
• What French language skills are needed for French citizenship and how are they tested?
• What are the exemptions or reductions for the malus tax on high-emission cars?
• How long do you have to keep documents for?
• How can I remove bees from wall without killing them?
• Is there any way to improve bad mobile phone reception in rural areas?
• What’s the best way to transfer money to my grandson, who lives outside France, to help him with his university studies?
• Are bodies like insurers and utilities allowed to refuse payments by cheque?
• Can non-residents claim exemption from taxe foncière if they are aged over 75?
• Do I have to pay French VAT on goods delivered from outside the EU?
• Is there a mediator to complain to about poor treatment by a bank?
• I plan to sell my French holiday home, but have been told I need a fiscal representative – what is this?
• Can you still apply to the juge de proximité for disputes over small sums – or have they been abolished now?

Thank you to our readers for these, and all the other questions that are sent in. If you have one you would like to be considered please send it to: news[at]connexionfrance.com

The January 2015 edition can be found in newsagents around France from December 26, 2014, or bought as a PDF download from our website via the Back issues page from the same date.