‘Dangerous’ trees, scams, vineyards to buy: French property round up

Family say they may be forced to move by 'dangerous' tree

A family who recently built a property on land they purchased in the Paris suburbs may have to move out because of a ‘dangerous’ tree less than 5m from their new home’s walls.

The tree’s roots were damaged during construction of the home and the family now fear it may fall onto their home.

However, the protected status of the tree – which was known to the family before they built their home – has led local groups to attempt to save it. The local council also claims the tree is in ‘good health’ despite the damage during property construction.

Read more: Family may have to move as cannot uproot ‘dangerous’ tree in France

Signature scam costs Paris flat owner a million euros

A scam in which rogue property dealers convince people to set up an SCI to buy properties, before stealing the shares of it through a signature scam – is reported to have led to the loss of more than €1 million for one man.

The fraudsters allegedly used digital copies of the victim’s signature, taken during the set up of the SCI to purchase property and copied it to transfer the ownership ‘shares’ to their name.

They then allegedly signed off on the transfers using the digital version of the signature, in effect making them the ‘owners’ of the properties, despite not having paid for them.

Read more: Signature fraud over Paris flats costs owner over one million euros

Picturesque vineyard properties

Our property spotlight this time looks at homes accompanied by working vineyards.

Mostly situated in the south-west – but with one northerly exception – the properties all cost less than €1 million and would allow any budding viticulturist to get stuck into making their own bottles.

Read more: Five French properties with working vineyards for sale from €575,000

Build-your-own-house in only two days

An innovative French company is offering kits to construct a new home in 48 hours.

Costing around €1,800 per m², the kits come with everything for the home except electrical equipment and furniture.

Houses of all shapes and sizes are possible, and only require the presence of flat land for the construction to begin.

Read more: French design kit house can be built in a weekend by two people