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
MAP: Which areas of Paris have had the biggest property price drops? 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
How to save energy and money running your swimming pool at French home Try these tweaks to avoid excess electricity and water bills
practical 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
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? France expands number of areas that can bring in rent controls Toulouse home sells at half price as pool in view of thousands of people
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 If the party wall at our French home is damaged are repair costs shared? France's top court limits 10-year guarantee on heat pumps Owner will gift historic French castle for free…there is a catch Can I rent the swimming pool at my French second home to neighbours?
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
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
Residents fight pay-by-bag bin fees in south-west France Two associations are taking legal action against the firm that provides the service
Alerts raised over tradespeople cashing in after French storms in south-west We look at some tips to avoid being taken advantage of by fraudsters preying on desperate homeowners
France grapples with summer boom in burglaries People are advised to join police home-monitoring scheme when going on holiday
French property market grinds to standstill awaiting election Estate agents report ‘fewer emails, fewer requests, and fewer projects’ in a market that was already suffering
French property tax fraud: what is targeted other than 'secret’ swimming pools? The AI-assisted technology designed to detect undeclared swimming pools is being widened to focus on other structures too
Do I need permission to paint the roof of my second home in France? Different rules may apply depending on the location and status of your home
Final days for French property owners to make declaration in 2024 Around 1 in 6 owners need to complete or update the Biens Immobiliers ‘property use’ form this year
What can I do if septic tank is non-conformé at French second home? Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader question
French PM pledges to end fees for some home buyers: who could benefit? It is not clear whether the scheme would apply to foreign residents buying for the first-time in France
Stunning French arboretum to celebrate 10 years of 'Open Gardens' Sarah Beattie speaks to gardener Nell, whose spectacular Creuse arboretrum is listed as a ‘Jardin Remarquable’
1,100 estate agents shut down in year due to French property slowdown The property market is poised for a ‘restart’, an industry expert says, but warns that political instability could bring disruption
Can Britons get mortgage to buy French property post-Brexit? Banks tend to be more cautious in lending to non-residents outside the EU
No rings of power but electric lights: France's cosy Hobbit homes A look at Tolkien-style halfling abodes and the people who created them
How to finance a septic tank in France The limited options include several types of loans and some discounts
MAP: See where prices for rural properties fell most in France in 2023 Transactions in one region are down more than 30% with prices falling as much as 24% in some departments
How to deal with builder delays to your property in France Devis, or quotes, are legally binding for both builders and clients even in the case of delays so it is important to take the right steps
Should property buyers take out ‘forced resale’ insurance in France? Buyers can be insured against property price falls – but only under certain conditions
Top tips for house hunting in France What is essential to consider when buying in France? We ask the experts
Buying rural property in France: Get to know the ‘Safer’ rules Property on rural farming land may be more difficult to buy or sell than you bargain for
What are the recycling rules in France? Has something changed? We are all encouraged to go greener, but making sense of what can and cannot be recycled is not always obvious. We cover what objects can and cannot go in yellow French recycling bins
French bill seeks to ban new second homes - where and how? The proposed law aims to ‘remedy imbalances in the rental market’ but would affect many popular destinations including on the coast, Alps, Pyrénées, and Corsica
How long does it take to sell a property in France in 2024? Answer: It depends (significantly) on location. These are the fastest and slowest places to sell
New legal obligation for many French property owners on way Potential buyers must be made aware of the risk of forest fire to the property and commune
Could the French property slump be coming to an end in 2024? French property market: 6 new trends highlighted by notaires
I have lost property deeds for French home - how do I get a copy? Certified copies of ownership deeds may also be needed by those who inherit a property
MAP: see where house prices are rising and falling around France Some areas have risen by almost 9% but others have dropped by more than 10%, new notaire data shows
Can I leave furniture in French second home when I sell it? Fitted kitchens often remain behind as they can be complicated to uninstall
Mayor sues state over cracks in houses in south-west France Cracks appeared in 302 houses in small town in Dordogne after droughts but no catastrophe naturelle decree was announced for the commune
Village near Nice fights ‘Wild West’ spread of 5G internet masts ‘Owner of the land next to us was offered €1,000 a month to site a mast,” says local man
Row as French house on sale for five times more than buyer paid in 2018 Locals want to stop purchase by an American saying property speculation means they can no longer afford to buy
Water damage to homes: Which areas of France suffer most? We also look at the recommended steps to take to protect your property
Solar panels in France for €1 with grants: is this still possible? Companies may offer panels at cheap prices, with grants and production buy-backs allegedly making up the difference
Viager in France and releasing capital from a French property People who sell en viager can stay living in their home and receive a lump sum along with a monthly sum for life
Not respecting planning permission can cost you (a lot) in France Extensions that go over permitted amounts can be demolished – with owners having to pick up the costs – if neighbours are affected
Home renovation grants simplified in France from today It should now be easier to apply for help to install a new boiler, for example, but homeowners will need to act quickly
French acronyms explained: HLM We kick off our series on common acronyms with one renters may be familiar with
French towns take action to reduce percentage of second homes A new town is to offer ‘tiny homes’ to rent all year round from just €100 per month. Around 25 other French communes are working on similar projects
French property taxes, car sales, pharmacy strike: 5 practical updates Our round-up of recent practical articles you may have missed
Many small communes in France yet to finalise address changes The new law means that everyone will have an official address
Four factors that can lower the value of French property Location and energy efficiency can impact property prices significantly
Can I avoid rubbish collection charges in France? The household waste collection tax is detailed on a taxe foncière statement
Septic tanks expose difference between law and reality in France The tanks can reveal stark differences between French and British laws... and the attitude of homeowners towards them
EXPLAINED: France’s property wealth tax 2024 Who pays impôt sur la fortune immobilière, how much and when
How much should you pay for house insurance where you live in France? We look at average prices around the regions of France and the main cities
What does 10-year builder insurance cover in France? The assurance décennale saw changes after a recent court case
House sharing in France can benefit retired people and the young Intergenerational house sharing is growing in popularity in France as a solution to both housing problems and feelings of isolation
PHOTOS: €527,000 buys you ancient castle with a museum in west France ‘It may be little but it’s the real thing’
Rules to know if someone lives with you for free in France Who can be included in this definition, what are the tax implications, and how can you provide proof of address?