Chalet owners in French Alps in despair over 'astronomical' get-out fees Some owners are going to court over the issue, after being promised they would not be charged such fees when purchasing their properties
Home buyers given wrong French bank details and must now pay again Cooperative gave them IBAN of a tradesperson it employed in error. Court has ordered that couple must pay a second €70,000 payment for the property
17 new and recent changes in France Many of the recently-announced measures will come into effect from January 2025
practical Explained: rent increase limits in France as latest inflation figures published Many renters will face price increase in January
France could add VAT to Airbnb-style tourist rentals MPs say they aim to make competition fairer between rentals and hotels
More second homes in France face higher tax under new proposal Far-left proposal would see all communes able to levy additional surcharges on second-home tax
Oise: Properties you can buy from €39,000 to €1.9m in the north of France The department is just north of Paris so buyers may have to look hard for a bargain
How I revived the rusty railings at our old French farmhouse Columnist Nick Inman explains how an inventive use of copper tubing gave his garden wall a new lease of life
French property and tax: 7 common questions Rob Kay, Senior Partner at Blevins Franks, reviews costs, taxes, and estate planning for UK nationals
More owners will pay French empty home tax in December 2024 The criteria for charging the taxe sur les logements vacants (TLV) were extended last year
What are the rules on building a fence at French property? Everyone has the right to build one on their own land but local planning regulations may apply
What is the ‘soil survey’ required before fitting a septic tank in France? Local authorities may ask for an étude de sol before you install a new sanitation system that is not connected to sewers
Marseille looks to be latest French city to crackdown on Airbnb rentals Mayor of the city also plans to ‘wage war on slum landlords’, and improve social housing
Obligatory garden clearance in France: New campaign clarifies who is impacted New residents will be told of rules from January onwards French second home tax notices to be sent in November - who pays it? How to see the sale price of property in France near you High level of fraud hits French government energy scheme
What do French estate agents mean by a maison de caractère? These large and distinctive properties were once prized by the middle class How is surplus energy sold to EDF declared on French tax form? Old energy efficiency ratings for French properties invalid from 2025 Flooding: why it is important to check your French property damage policy How to prepare your swimming pool in France for the upcoming winter Natural disaster zones declared near Nice: insurance deadline looms
What exactly does maison secondaire mean in France? Property descriptions are related to where you live 'habitually' and have the most links
Are the shutters on my French house essential for insurance? Insurers recommend them, but the law is clear
Electricity prices will reduce for most French households in January However the government will seek to increase tax on usage
What gift tax is liable on property in France for UK residents? Antonia Ridley-Hughes of Ashtons Legal answers a reader query
What are the rules for wood-burning stoves in France? Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query
Change to timeline of energy efficiency rules for French homes announced by PM More than 600,000 properties may be affected by rule change, allowing them to remain on rental market
Can I cancel French property tax payments in advance if I will be 75 next year? There are exemptions from paying taxe foncière for some
Second home US buyers resist French property slump The second home market performed better than the domestic market according to notaire data for 2023
Why are there strict rules around façades on France's streets? A range of regulations govern the exteriors of buildings in French towns and villages
Must solar panels installed at home be insured in France? Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader question
PHOTOS: See inside US designer's comfortable French chateau Esteemed US designer Timothy Corrigan traces his passion for France and the projects he has carried out there, including his own magnificent Loire chateau
Court jails large-scale solar panel scammer, 800 victims in France Over 1,000 people worldwide paid for panels that were never delivered
Properties you can buy in French Nord department for €200,000 and €1 million The most northerly French border department is a hit with tourists, despite the unpredictable weather
Conversion of Paris Olympic village into flats for sale continues Up to 20% of the flats will be turned into social housing, but many of the rest are now available to purchase
How to settle neighbourhood disputes in France Exploring your rights and what action to take if an agreement cannot be reached
Electricity bills set to fall by around 10% for millions of households in France The re-evaluation at the start of next year is expected to follow the global trend of falling energy prices
MAP: which French cities resisted house price drops of 2023? Several major cities saw prices fall by over 10% year on year
PHOTOS: See inside our quirky French home, a 13th-Century watermill Giles and Fi Stonor restored the ancient Moulin De Latreille to create an idyllic retreat in rural France
What does the 'pool squat' case mean for property owners in France? Squatters rights have been called into question in recent laws and court cases
Millions of property owners in France still risk fine Homeowners who did not declare property changes may be penalised by tax authorities as period of tolerance ends
PHOTOS: Four chateaux for sale for under $1 million in Dordogne These historic buildings are full of character and charm - and not all need extensive repairs
Are French property owners set for some good tax news? Lower year-on-year inflation means that next year’s tax increase should be lower - but not all owners will be affected equally
French property prices stabilising, say leading estate agencies Agents say 2024 is seeing the end of three consecutive years of falls in transaction volume
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
Financial help is available for workers who move in France The aid available depends on your income, family size, and reason for moving
Households in France without a Linky meter to suffer additional costs Things set to change for those who submit manual readings
2024 French property tax: which areas are seeing the highest rises? We review how the taxe foncière is calculated, and which areas have seen the largest increase
Over 1,000 more French towns to levy higher tax on second homes Around 1,500 communes now intend to charge the levy including popular second-home destinations such as St Tropez, St Malo and Chamonix
Is it possible to buy my ex-partner's share in French home? Wanting to purchase an ex-partner's share of a property is not unusal
Are €1 home insulation offers in France a scam? The cost of insulation renovations can be partially covered by a number of schemes
What will happen to our holiday home in France when we die? John Kitching, a director of French Law Consultancy Limited, answers a reader query
Bordeaux down 6.8%, Nice up 1% - current price data for flats in France Our chart shows changes over a year and the average price per square metre
Couple must reimburse €400,000 for French home that cannot be lived in The problem was only discovered after the property had been sold
French property prices: which areas show rises and which falls? September will be a critical month for the market, say notaires
Man seriously injured during illegal ‘pool squat’ sues owners in France Now paralysed from the neck down, the man reportedly claims the accident was due to owner negligence
Are French estate agents’ property valuations reliable? There are a variety of options to get a realistic idea of a home’s value
What repairing our French farmhouse taught me about tiling Tuile canal can be seen across the rooftops of central France, but can be notoriously tricky to repair
Expandable homes gain popularity in France Prospective homeowners battling high property prices are increasingly turning to modular houses designed for easy future expansions
Property: see what €50,000 to €700,000 buys you in Nièvre in rural France Popular with Parisians looking for second homes, a drive to boost tourism in the department means there are bargains to be had in the rural gem
Property owners in French Alps limited to one tourist rental each ‘Prices are skyrocketing and we need to restore balance,’ says mayor
Why is French notaire asking me to provide origin of funds for purchase? Both domestic and overseas payments may be subject to such checks
Can I avoid having ugly pylons near my French home? Fibre is being rolled out to France's rural areas
Explained: safety rules for home pools in France and risks if do not comply Barriers, alarms, shelters - we look at what features are required for pool owners
Tiny houses surge in popularity across France Despite rising costs, these properties offer eco-friendly, innovative solutions
Letters: Why can't French property deeds be simpler? Connexion reader asked notaire for a copy of their home's titre de propriété and received a 21-page document in reply
Seven million French properties risk fine under new declaration rule Many owners have still not completed the obligatory Biens Immobiliers. The deadline was June 30
French second home: in what cases can you be exempt from taxe d’habitation? Reductions are no longer available but in certain cases owners can be exempted
PHOTOS: Couple transform old village school into quirky French home The property is enjoying a new lease of life as a guesthouse in the Breton village of Châtelaudren
Mortgage rates in France heading towards 3% Interest rates have been falling since the start of the year, and the number of loans granted is increasing
French property tax hits owners of lower-value homes disproportionally Taxe foncière represents up to two months of mortgage repayments in some areas. We also look at reductions and exemptions
Big drop in permits for new homes to be built in France Permits for single-family homes are down by almost a quarter year-on-year
French DIY chain to stop selling ‘low efficiency’ air con units Leroy Merlin claims some models use too much energy for the gain they give
Air conditioning at French home: what aid is available to install this? Many people look for units to cool homes down as summer months get hotter for longer
Small swimming pools make a splash in France Mini pools under 10m2 are rising in popularity although getting one to avoid paying taxes is a 'silly decision'
Do I keep right to stay in French property for free if owner dies? Rights to remain in a property after the owner's death can be complex
Can I use bottled gas in my French property? Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query
'EDF's IT error left me with €8,500 electricity bill for small French house' The British EDF customer was shocked to receive the bill which was due to faulty Linky readings over three years
MAP: see where property prices have dropped the most in Paris Drops of around 10% (up to €1,100 less per m2 in real terms) have been seen in several arrondissements. Only one has not seen a significant drop
Eco-friendly shower wins French invention medal People can enjoy hot showers with minimal environmental impact, using only a few litres of water compared to hundreds from a bath or traditional shower