Practical second homes

Is a second home subject to gift tax in France?

Notaires are required to confirm the transaction

MAP: Which areas in France are most popular with second-home owners?

Hundreds of communes are dominated by second homes, with 70% or more of all properties only being used ocassionally

Is Starlink a good option for internet access in rural France?

Alternative internet access provider focuses on rural properties and ‘nomads’

practical

How to handle disputes with your neighbours in France

Problems due to messy gardens, noisy children and unauthorised constructions can easily spiral out of control

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

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

Installations must be checked every 10 years

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

Couple’s house in Pays de la Loire was broken into while they were in the UK

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

Home invasions are on the rise nationally

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

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

Several areas are now predicted to see significant falls

Why are rural French houses so cheap?

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

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

Some landlords may be willing to negotiate prices, but only under certain conditions

Noisy chickens, chimneys, renovations: French property round up

Our pick of property stories you may have missed

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

Senator from Savoie calls for your feedback on why more flexibility would benefit France

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

Court rules property must be returned to original state in line with clause protecting a sea view in their property deeds

Pools, insurance, tax bills: French property round up

Our review of recent property articles you might have missed

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

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