How do I find out the estimated value of property online in France?

Reader question: In the UK, it is easy to find out the estimated value of property online with a simple free search. Nothing similar seems to be available in France – perhaps we do not know where to look?

It is true that the property price comparison and estimate services in the UK, provided by platforms such as Zoopla, do not have equivalents in France.

France has much stricter privacy laws and these details, which allow anyone to see how much a property was sold for and how much capital gain owners have made, are judged too invasive of the seller’s privacy.

Zoopla claims its information comes from HM Land Registry data for actual sales and, presumably, from estate agents who advertise on its landing page for estimates.

In France, it is possible to see how much houses in your area (ranging from 50m from your property, through to 20km) have sold for in the last five years, but this information is only for private use, not publication. It is available, free, through this site. There is also a description of the property, estimated year of construction and date of sale.

Many estate agent and broker sites will give a price estimate of property in an area, but the figures are based on average prices per m², which makes it difficult to get a true idea of what a property is worth. It should also be noted that the m² price figures displayed are often higher for smaller towns than they are in reality.

Author: Sarah Bright-Thomas, Bright Avocats. Bright Avocats provides French legal advice

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