Practical second homes

What changes require you to make new property declaration in France?

Tax officials have sent out an email reminding people of the rules

How can we cut off utilities at French second home from abroad?

Meter reading need to be taken to close most accounts

How much can property buyers in France negotiate down prices in 2024?

An explosion in the number of homes on sale coupled with a drop in values - and looming new energy efficiency rules - is opening up opportunities

Do I need to sweep and insure an unused chimney in my French home?

New rules over chimney cleaning came into force at the end of 2023

Which foreign nationalities buy the most property in the Paris area?

And what has happened to British buyers?

Owners lend second homes so sick children in France get a holiday

We look at the charities matching holiday home owners with struggling families

How can I reduce the cost of home insurance in France?

Extra cover and location are two primary factors of higher annual charges

Second homes in France: locals call for quotas

Campaigners in the Basque Country want a quota system to limit new second homes, councillors in Brittany propose housing priority for existing residents

How do I estimate the value of my rural home in France?

The market for older properties can be complex

How do I contact tax officials when I move to France?

As resident some taxes will no longer be payable, depending on your situation

7 key points on property market in France from new notaire data

Several areas are now predicted to see significant falls

What are the rules on foreign septic tanks in France?

Septic tanks are subject to official approval and regular inspections

What are the laws surrounding trespassing in France?

Trespassing rules are governed by the furnished condition of a house and can include any garden also

Why are rural French houses so cheap?

Lack of demand by the French for countryside lifestyle, and state of properties are among the reasons

Stop stigmatising us during droughts, say pool owners in France

Pools only account for 0.06% of nation’s water usage, says industry federation

How do we buy out our friends’ share of French property?

Providing everything is agreed amicably, the process should be quicker than a normal transaction. Helen Fullerton of Ashtons Legal answers a reader query

Price changes, rental strife, tax explainer: French property round-up

Our pick of recent property articles that you might have missed

What capital gains tax is due when selling inherited French property?

Capital gains tax may not be the only liability upon sale of an inherited house

French MP seeks new way to pause second-home sales capital gains tax

The proposal to encourage owners to sell and free up property for main homes was initially rejected but is likely to get a second chance in spring

How long before French home is deemed main residence?

Rules are not to do with time, but how property is used

Solar panel row, permit drop, fake bricks: French property news recap

Our pick of recent property articles that you might have missed

Can I get financial aid for insulation as a retiree in France?

Several different schemes can potentially help with the France Rénov' network being the most important source of help

Give second home owners in France a special visa, says senator

Five-year visa would allow annual six-month visits

Couple build house in south-west France - then court cancels permit

Neighbours complained that the built property blocked their countryside views. Couple may now have to pay a fine or may even see home demolished

How do I get a refund on the social charges paid on French home sale?

A recent change saw social charges lowered when selling a home

Clay shrinkage report, château sale: French property updates

We recap four stories from the world of property in France last week

Is my French home my ‘main’ or ‘second’ residence?

Rules depend on how long you generally spend in a country, as well as where you work or obtain income from

Visa for British second-home owners in France: How often can we apply?

British visitors are starting to make use of visas to spend extended time in France, post-Brexit. We answer a recent reader question on calculating visa and other visiting periods

Immigration bill: amendment for non-French second-home owners expected

We spoke to immigration and legal experts about the controversial bill set for debate this autumn

Tax rebates, wood pellets, market overview: French property round-up

We look at four stories for homeowners this week in France, including an overview of the property market and problems with tax bills for property owners

How becoming a French resident can bring tax and travel benefits

Partner article: If the 90/180 days rule is restricting visits to your second home then consider residency, says Robert Kent of Kentingtons

Why does a new French anti-squatting law appear to protect squatters?

Judges who tweaked a new law are accused of being more concerned about squatters’ comfort than owners’ rights

Empty home tax, tree fine, free home audit: French property round up

Our round-up sees a man fined €6,000 for cutting down a neighbour’s tree, rising home insurance costs and a new notaire initiative in the south-west

Empty home tax, tree fine, free home audit: French property round up

Our round-up sees a man fined €6,000 for cutting down a neighbour’s tree, rising home insurance costs and a new notaire initiative in the south-west

How do I find French domestic maintenance services for my second home?

It can be a challenge finding people to help from a distance

Hundreds more areas in France to levy ‘vacant home’ tax: what is this?

Communes had until October 1 to decide whether to do this

Second-home owners in France can check if commune allowed to raise tax

This government website lists the areas that are now eligible to increase ‘taxe d’habitation’ on second homes

90/180-day rule: French senator lobbies to help UK second-home owners

Senator for Savoie asks interior minister to consider special status for British citizens who bought their properties pre-Brexit

Breton town offsets second homes with cut-price building plots

Second-home ownership in the area has doubled over 40 years. New plots will be only available to people who will live there all-year

Does an increase in French property prices mean more pay wealth tax?

We look at determining the eligibility and calculation criteria for property wealth tax in France

Why do only second home owners pay taxe d’habitation in France?

The tax has been abolished for all main residences but still applies for second homes

Is capital gains tax payable if we have let out French home?

The exemption for the main residence could be called into question in some cases

Non-EU citizen visiting rules ‘more restrictive’ in Spain than France

Britons with second homes in Spain have even less flexibility unless they have half a million euros in Spanish property, says campaigner

‘House price anger’ cause of Brittany arson attacks not nationalism

Letter to Breton media claims nationalist FLB is back, but local expert explains why recent attacks are different

Pictures: See entire French hamlet up for sale in ‘incredible listing’

The hamlet includes a disused factory and a lake

Second-home tax: 2,263 French communes added to ‘possible rises’ list

If communes wish to bring in an increase they must agree to do so by October 1 for the change to apply to next year’s bills

Mortgage woe, Paris fines, church change: 5 French property updates

Our weekly round-up of key news from France’s property market

Last-minute help with the French property form deadline looming

The deadline for the declaration has been put back three times

Boiler service among tenant’s responsibilities when renting in France

We take a look at who is liable for tax, bills, maintenance and repairs when letting a property

Hundreds of Britons have considered selling second homes in France

Our survey reveals how much second-home owners contribute to the economy and community – and why they want to leave

Key points to help you complete France’s new obligatory property form

We take you through the steps and answer reader questions about the declaration which should be made by end of the June this year

What are the rules to install a septic tank in French holiday home?

It is important tanks comply with standards.

Boost for homeowners in France as anti-squatter law gets green light

France’s constitutional council has approved harsher penalties for squatters in main and second homes

Second-home tax move confirmed and four other French property updates

This week’s property news round-up also looks at moves in Paris to clamp down on landlords who charge excessive rents

Brittany second home ‘ban’, gutter dispute: 5 French property updates

Plus, the cost of building repairs after last week’s earthquake in western France and a historic fine for Airbnb

Sale of French second home causes capital gains tax worry

We look at the paperwork and bank statements needed to calculate CGT when selling a second home in France

Draft list of French communes that could face second-home tax hikes

More than 3,500 communes will be able to charge an extra levy from next year

Can we give our French home to my husband's son?

John Kitching, a director of French Law Consultancy Limited, looks at the rules for foreign citizens who want to leave a French second home to one of their children

Reminder: France homeowners have a month to submit property form

Do not delay signing the declaration even if the property description is wrong - the ‘usage’ aspect is most important this year

Updated: Your questions answered on France’s new form for homeowners

Can the declaration only be completed online? Why am I being asked to declare something? Is this a new annual obligation? All of this and more

Do second home owners in France need a French bank account?

Opening a French bank account could make life easier if you own a second home in France, but it is not the only option

Eight key takeaways from French study into second homes in Brittany

From the number of owners resident abroad to the size of the properties, we look at the most interesting findings

Can I bring plants into France for garden at my second home?

The rules and regulations are in general very strict, though imports of some items are in theory possible

How to fill in new French property form and why it is causing problems

Unions say thousands of people have contacted the French tax authorities with questions about how to fill it in properly

Five French property updates: second homes surtax, noisy neighbours

Plus: how to get a Paris apartment from €30,000, and why air conditioning is becoming increasingly desirable among house hunters in France

Updated step-by-step guide to France’s property form (with pictures)

Around 34 million homeowners are required to submit information before the June 30, 2023 deadline

French second homes at risk of coastal erosion and other property news

Plus no current plans to ban gas boilers in houses and MPs vote to enlarge the amount of people due compensation for cracked homes

Will EU nationality help tax situation when selling second home?

Country of residence is in most cases the most relevant factor to capital gains

Fake ads ‘attack’ on second homes in Brittany, flat owners’ legal fees

Our weekly round-up of property news in France

Declaring French property: exemptions, rents, joint owners, commercial

We explain how tax officials check main or second-home status and clear up recurring queries on the new ‘biens immobiliers’ form

Does French pension mean I pay higher social levies on CGT?

A possibility exists of paying less on gains depending on your social security situation

Minister ‘open’ to seizing empty homes for people in need in France

A housing association has called for empty properties to be requisitioned where needed, with the law already allowing it where low-income people are ‘disadvantaged’ by low housing supply

All owners of French properties must fill in this new tax-site form

A new declaration, to be completed by summer 2023, is required of everyone, including second homeowners, owning houses or flats in France

Where is the best place to buy a second home in France?

Our property news wrap also looks at a neighbour dispute over a right of way, liability for latent defects when selling a property and MaPrimeRénov' bugs

Practical second homes

What changes require you to make new property declaration in France?

How can we cut off utilities at French second home from abroad?

How much can property buyers in France negotiate down prices in 2024?

Can I install a septic tank myself at my second French home?

Reader experiences: Dealing with a burglary at second home in France

Are second homes in France more at risk of 'home-jacking'?

Trending

New UK/France border checks: visas, residency cards and which queues?

Storms on way for much of France. Will the cold spell continue?

Eurostar fares revamp and motorway closures: 6 France travel updates

Seven useful informal French expressions you don’t learn at school

British retiree in France to take Brexit case to human rights court

How to deal with small French village mentality

Scams in France: watch out for these telephone prefixes

Do I need to sweep and insure an unused chimney in my French home?

Which foreign nationalities buy the most property in the Paris area?

Owners lend second homes so sick children in France get a holiday

How can I reduce the cost of home insurance in France?

Second homes in France: locals call for quotas

How do I estimate the value of my rural home in France?

How do I contact tax officials when I move to France?

7 key points on property market in France from new notaire data

What are the rules on foreign septic tanks in France?

What are the laws surrounding trespassing in France?

Do I have to wait six months after expiry to renew French VLS-T visa?

How do I release equity from my French property?

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

Why are rural French houses so cheap?

Can I get a discount for paying rent up front in France?

Noisy chickens, chimneys, renovations: French property round up

‘We must help ease 90/180 rule for owners of French second-homes’

New pool must go due to neighbour’s ‘protected view’ clause in France

Pools, insurance, tax bills: French property round up

Stop stigmatising us during droughts, say pool owners in France

How do we buy out our friends’ share of French property?

Price changes, rental strife, tax explainer: French property round-up

What capital gains tax is due when selling inherited French property?

French MP seeks new way to pause second-home sales capital gains tax

How long before French home is deemed main residence?

Solar panel row, permit drop, fake bricks: French property news recap

Can I get financial aid for insulation as a retiree in France?

Give second home owners in France a special visa, says senator

Couple build house in south-west France - then court cancels permit

How do I get a refund on the social charges paid on French home sale?

Clay shrinkage report, château sale: French property updates

Is my French home my ‘main’ or ‘second’ residence?

Visa for British second-home owners in France: How often can we apply?

Immigration bill: amendment for non-French second-home owners expected

Tax rebates, wood pellets, market overview: French property round-up

How becoming a French resident can bring tax and travel benefits

Why does a new French anti-squatting law appear to protect squatters?

Empty home tax, tree fine, free home audit: French property round up

Empty home tax, tree fine, free home audit: French property round up

How do I find French domestic maintenance services for my second home?

Hundreds more areas in France to levy ‘vacant home’ tax: what is this?

Second-home owners in France can check if commune allowed to raise tax

90/180-day rule: French senator lobbies to help UK second-home owners

Breton town offsets second homes with cut-price building plots

Does an increase in French property prices mean more pay wealth tax?

Why do only second home owners pay taxe d’habitation in France?

Is capital gains tax payable if we have let out French home?

Non-EU citizen visiting rules ‘more restrictive’ in Spain than France

‘House price anger’ cause of Brittany arson attacks not nationalism

Pictures: See entire French hamlet up for sale in ‘incredible listing’

Second-home tax: 2,263 French communes added to ‘possible rises’ list

Mortgage woe, Paris fines, church change: 5 French property updates

Last-minute help with the French property form deadline looming

Boiler service among tenant’s responsibilities when renting in France

Hundreds of Britons have considered selling second homes in France

Key points to help you complete France’s new obligatory property form

What are the rules to install a septic tank in French holiday home?

Boost for homeowners in France as anti-squatter law gets green light

Second-home tax move confirmed and four other French property updates

Brittany second home ‘ban’, gutter dispute: 5 French property updates

Sale of French second home causes capital gains tax worry

Draft list of French communes that could face second-home tax hikes

Can we give our French home to my husband's son?

Reminder: France homeowners have a month to submit property form

Updated: Your questions answered on France’s new form for homeowners