What documents are required to sell a home in France?

Reader Question: We are looking to sell up and move away from France. What documents will we need to prove to relevant parties that we own the house?

Answer: The most important document you need is your sales deed (acte de vente) which is what proves you own the property.

You should have a copy of this, but if you do not (or cannot find it) you can ask the notaire who conducted the sale on your behalf for a copy, who will charge a fee (there is no fixed price for this). 

Alternatively, you can ask the French land registry for your department for a copy (le. Service de la publicité foncière et de l'enregistrement), which will cost around €30. A form exists for this purpose. 

Read more: I have lost property deeds for French home - how do I get a copy?

Selling your flat in France

If you live in a block of flats in copropriété (shared ownership), various other documents are needed such as the état des comptes (accounts summary), the carnet d’entretien (showing various technical and administrative details; your syndic can supply a copy), and details of payments you have made towards future upkeep work or improvements and payments to come.

Other official documents include your last taxe foncière statement as well as documents relating to any outstanding mortgage. 

The former should be available in your personal space on the French tax site. 

Read also: How long must I keep important documents is in France? 

Diagnostics required to sell French house

Alongside these documents, several property diagnostics (check certificates) are required. 

These fall under the umbrella of the dossier de diagnostic technique (DDT), and the exact requirements can vary between properties. 

Some that are always required include the energy diagnostic (diagnostic de performance énergétique, DPE) and diagnostic d’état des risques et pollution. 

In most cases, these need to be made anew when the property is sold, unless they were done recently.

Others depend on the age and location of your property – the estate agent or notaire you are working with for the property sale will be able to help. 

Note that it is possible to deduct the costs of these from the sale price in the event of there being a taxable capital gain (however, this does not apply when selling one’s own main home).

Read more: 12 key Q&As for anyone selling a property in France

Other useful documents

Certain other documents may not be obligatory but can be extremely useful. 

Copies of energy bills can be used as a selling point, as well as the bills for recent works on the property such as swimming pools, exterior constructions, etc. 

It is also worth mentioning any works in progress or set to begin soon, which you can show any potential buyers the quotes for. 

Building plans are also useful if you have them.