Property

Large increase in Americans buying properties on the Cote d’Azur

President Trump is cited as a major factor, but is not the only reason for the area’s popularity

Is compensation possible if a neighbour’s pet damages garden at French second home?

Disorderly pets can wreak havoc on gardens

Repairs on dry stone wall in France: Must stones be bought or can they be picked up?

You may need to consult your neighbour to repair border walls

practical

Tips for Americans considering a French mortgage

With the number of Americans moving to France on the rise, we ask the experts for some tips for those considering applying for a French mortgage

Boost for people doing home renovations in Dordogne

The plan aims to connect citizens with local public renovation services to modernise old housing stock

Hosting scheme in south-west France lets you sample lifestyle before you move

Households in nine Dordogne communes volunteer under Mes Nouveaux Voisins scheme

How long does it take to sell property in different areas of France? New study

Many major cities are showing signs of recovery when it comes to supply, demand, prices, and time to sell

Seller and buyer bypass contracted estate agent - and land €30,000 penalty in France

The Bordeaux Court of Appeals rules a buyer and seller who avoided estate agent fees must pay compensation

Extra ‘taxes’ imposed on high earners should be permanent, says French finance minister

This would not constitute a return to the former wealth tax, he adds

Fines over missing Biens immobiliers French property declarations to start in 2026

Property owners must still declare any 2024 changes to property by July 1 this year

Vast majority of French departments opt to increase property notaire fees

What difference will it make to buyers and sellers?

Property watch: See what €50,000, €180,000 and over €1million buys in Pyréneés-Orientales

Pyréneés-Orientales is one of the few departments in France where residents can go to ski resorts as well as the seaside

Is any financial aid available to pay for installing a septic tank for our French property?

Homeowners installing a tank must work closely with local authorities

Tough Airbnb rules in Marseille prompt many property owners to sell

City council reduce time that a property can be rented to short-term guests

New natural disaster zones declared in south-east France

Property owners have 30 days to make a claim due to damage by landslides, mudslides, or flooding

How to value a property for France's wealth tax

Here is how to check if you have to pay the impôt sur la fortune immobilière (IFI) – and how much it will be

New rules lower aid for home solar panels in France

Installation bonuses have also been cut as government looks to promote ‘self-consumption’ of power

Graph: How do French electricity prices compare with other EU countries and UK

Costs have steadily risen across the last decade

Can neighbour force us to put fence up in French garden?

Rules on undergrowth clearance and habitat protection come into play

French ski resort properties avoid energy rental ban (for a while)

Ban on category G properties is postponed until 2034 in mountain regions

French ‘property use’ declarations: who has to do this in 2025 and by when?

Declarations have been required since 2023

French police can check your home (and elderly relatives) 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

Gale warnings: how to limit damage to your home in France and errors to avoid

Securing outdoors furniture is a key step to help avoid serious damage

Garden clearing obligations to be extended in south of France

Owners who fail to clear undergrowth face fines

France plans crackdown on fraud around obligatory energy ratings for homes

All homes being sold or let need an up-to-date DPE

What are the rules for installing an electric fence on French property?

Electric fences are not solely for agricultural purposes

Why this widely-used gardening tool can land you a large fine in France

Stores are banned from selling the item

Small lakeside French hamlet to be sold at auction - starting price €450,000

The tourist site has a collection of 13 gîtes and a swimming pool

Water leak leaves home owner in France facing €35,000 bill

Expert report states broken pipes were result of earthworks by local mairie, but they refuse to pay

'How we are reviving our Belle Epoque property on the edge of Lyon'

This period home from 1900 is a functioning hotel filled with antique furniture and artefacts

Property watch: See what €50,000, €250,000 and over €1million buys in Hautes-Pyrénées

Its main city Tarbes has good transport links and there are many mountain property bargains to be had

Understand France's inheritance tax rules and nue-propriété

Question relates to situation when holder of a nue-propriété predeceases the holder of the usufruit

Good news for buyers and sellers as French mortgage rates fall and are open to negotiation

Some banks are offering special mortgage deals as property market recovering – but will this continue?

List: these are the French home improvement works that must be declared

Inform tax authorities separately even if you have construction permit

Can we bring UK digger to France to work on our second home?

There is a time limit on how long machinery can be brought over to avoid import fees

What is the best way to deal with ‘stink bugs’ in our French home?

The bugs arrived from Asia and are considered an invasive species

What are the rules for burning garden waste in France in 2025?

Spring is a popular time to clean up in garden

Is it necessary to sign up to a local déchetterie in France before using it?

Rules are changing in several areas to cut down on excessive waste

See how long it takes to sell a property in France by area in 2025

Some major cities have seen a significant increase in time to finalise a sale in comparison to 2024

Can we gift French property to our daughter?

Gift taxes will be levied if certain thresholds are passed

French property owners and tenants: what are rules for obligatory undergrowth clearance?

Land in many areas must be cleared to reduce risk of forest fires

French home energy cheque aid will be sent later in 2025 - who gets this?

Changes mean vouchers can no longer be used for eco-renovations

French church for sale for €362,500 - could be turned into a home

The 539m² building on classified ad website Leboncoin is due to be deconsecrated

Department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine to increase property purchase fees

Local councils have been given ability to raise fees in new budget

How much do energy efficiency renovations cost in France?

Owners will want to ensure properties improve by at least two DPE ratings, increasing the work and cost needed

Are there any ways to reduce notaire fees when buying a property in France?

We look at some less well-known possibilities as tax hike looms

Is extra insurance for French garden pool required?

Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query

Is it possible to find French cadastral plans online?

Certain plans go back to the 1800s

Map: Sale prices of flats across France and how they rose or fell in 2024

Areas including Corsica and Poitiers saw prices rise, but significant falls of nearly -8% elsewhere were recorded

How much do flats and houses rent for in your area of France? See official data

An interactive map allows you to check at commune level

How can renovations on French second home reduce capital gains tax?

Reductions related to length of ownership start after five years

Must chimney in French home be swept annually even if it is not used?

Some areas require chimneys to be swept multiple times per year

Can French forced heirship rules be bypassed?

Antonia Ridley-Hughes of Ashtons Legal, answers a reader query

Will my daughter have to pay tax on inherited property in France?

The value of a property can often be above tax-free sums on inheritance

When will ‘notaire fees’ for property purchases increase in France?

All departments are likely to vote in favour of raising fees

Photos: The best places to buy a second home in Provence named in new ranking

The list considered 28 criteria to rank 90 villages in the sought-after region

Five ways the latest 2025 budget will impact property owners in France

Changes include increasing notaire fees, tax exemption from property gifts and the extension of the Loc'Avantages rental scheme

Buying a property in France may cost more from April as ‘notaire fees’ allowed to rise

Departments can opt to increase fees by 0.5% under 2025 budget

Is property declaration form required for French second homes this year?

The Biens immobiliers form was introduced in 2023

Is there an official complaints process against notaires in France?

Notaires are legally responsible for their own practices

Is French property slump ending? : Key points in latest notaire review

The post-Covid slowdown is close to its end, but warning factors remain

French house prices 2024: how did your area fare in new notaire data?

Cities including Reims and Dijon recorded sales price falls of over -10% - however the slump is said to be over

Auction website now shows French properties for sale from estate agents and notaires

Site aims for quick and transparent property sales

Property watch: See what €50,000, €200,000 and €3.4m buys you in Pyrénées-Atlantiques

Discover the allure and challenges of living in France's stunning Basque coast region

Natural disaster recognition in process for flooding in west France – what does it change for impacted homeowners?

Interior minister begins accelerated process for zone declaration

Latest property energy efficiency rules as parliament rejects bill

Landlords now have to follow the climate law rules without exception

Bin collections in western France changed amid cross-border dumping row

Changes in Dordogne led to inhabitants dumping rubbish in easier-to-access bins in nearby Charente

Does being an EU citizen affect rate of French property taxes?

Two main property taxes may be due each year

France's ‘garden shed tax’ sees 2025 rise, find new rates below

Completed property extensions and new constructions have to be declared to your mairie within 90 days

Is it right time to renegotiate mortgage on French home?

Falling interest rates prompt many homeowners to consider new deals

Legal: French court rules against using neighbour's land for parking

A droit de servitude (right of way) is not for mere convenience, rules France's highest court

French landlord faces questions over near 300% increase in heating costs

Tenants face eviction after increase in bills leaves them facing heavy debts

France's heat pump market drops as second home owners opt for alternatives

Despite government support, declining sales and high costs hinder heat pump adoption, especially in second homes

Little-known Linky meter trick can help people in France save on energy bills

Information transmitters plugged into meter give real-time information about electricity consumption

Over-60s can now unlock capital from their home in France

Mortgage solutions to tap into a niche market remain available after the closure one scheme