Property

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

news

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

Is a second home subject to gift tax in France?

Notaires are required to confirm the transaction

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

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

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

Did you know French police can check your home when you are away?

Here is how to sign up for the service, as well as a special check for elderly people. Plus, advice on how to avoid ‘fake police’ scams

How to save energy and money running your swimming pool at French home

Try these tweaks to avoid excess electricity and water bills

Second home in France: how to save on running costs

Tax reductions and aid for renovation work can also help boost investment value

Property: See what €20,000, €200,000 - and €2m - buys you in north-east France

Moselle is an area with a colourful past, famous for its white wine

PHOTOS: The Villa Majorelle, an Art Nouveau jewel in north-east France

The emblematic building in Nancy was created by the finest craftsmen of its day

‘Unfair’: Anger over €6,000 bill for clearing neighbour land in France

Débroussaillement is the clearing of overgrowth from a property - and in some cases residents are legally obliged to clear a neighbour’s land at their own cost

PHOTOS: Couple build French home out of old shipping containers

Total costs for the 145m² home - and a rental unit within - came in at under €275,000

First water restrictions of 2024 in two departments of south-west France

High temperatures and a lack of rainfall have caused water levels to drop

France embraces the rise of the robot mowers

Automated robots can keep lawns looking clean with just a weekend of work, and basic models can start from less than €1,000

Innovative bank card aids France's homeless

New card system in Lille enables secure donations for essentials, boosting support for homeless individuals.

French building industry taps into the power of hemp

Innovative hemp-based materials are making a comeback in France, offering enhanced insulation and lower carbon emissions

Couple sue French commune for letting acorns fall on their roof

They claim the acorns caused damage totalling €6,000

Millions of French homes escape August electricity price rise

A scheduled increase has been paused, the government has confirmed

House price falls accelerating in France: will this continue?

Leading estate agent groups report a fall in prices, making it a ‘buyers’ market’ after months of high interest rates and political uncertainty

Do I need permission to install a shelter for my outdoor French pool?

Rules can vary dependent upon the structure and the location of a property

France expands number of areas that can bring in rent controls

More than 650 communes have been reclassified to allow this. Many more places can now now also offer interest-free home loans for first-time buyers

Toulouse home sells at half price as pool in view of thousands of people

The house, which is below a new cable car route, brings a whole new meaning to the word ‘overlooked’

Thousands more French second homes face 2024 tax rises

Over 500 new communes have voted for 60% levy on vacant second homes

38 communes in south France recognised as new drought disaster zones

People affected can now claim on their catastrophe naturelle insurance, but the issue looks set to reoccur this year

If the party wall at our French home is damaged are repair costs shared?

A neighbour is undertaking renovations to their property

France's top court limits 10-year guarantee on heat pumps

The landmark ruling also excludes stove inserts in renovations

Owner will gift historic French castle for free…there is a catch

The current owners cannot afford the urgent repairs needed to make the site safe

Can I rent the swimming pool at my French second home to neighbours?

Swimming pools are a popular choice for second home owners

Property: See what €50,000 buys you in Morbihan, Brittany - and €1m

The natural harbour of the Breton gulf is a secret gem

New tool helps homeowners in France assess drought damage risk

Properties built in clay soil areas are particularly affected with up to ten million homes currently at risk of the problem

84 areas of south of France declared drought disaster zones: what changes?

Property owners whose homes have been damaged can now make insurance claims. We list communes affected

Letters: House prices are set by the free market - even in France

Connexion reader says the American who bought a house in the south-west was free to do so even if it upset locals

Property in France: Buying power up slightly amid falling prices

Buyers have gained an extra 3m2 for their money in 20 of the largest towns, a new study claims

Reminder: deadline for French property declaration is tonight

Around one in six homeowners are required to complete the declaration this year

Airbnb in Paris: Supply outstrips demand during Olympics

Cheap stays are still available only one month before the Games begin

What are the rules on fitting air conditioning into homes in France?

Work declaration, noise levels, professional certification - we review what is needed

Larger houses struggling to sell as post-Covid boom disappears

Purchasing power is decreasing but for those with funds, it remains a buyer's market

2023 French local taxes: thousands overcharged, how to claim reimbursement

The tax office admits a massive increase in complaints due to its ‘many difficulties’ with the launch of new property form

Estate for sale 20km from Sarlat in south-west France

Solar panel scams affect one in three buyers in France

Unscrupulous practices include excessive delays, exaggerated promises, and pressure to sign up ‘on the spot’, says consumer group