Heat pump insurance cover downgraded for many home owners in France Wood-burning stoves are also affected following a court ruling
France revamps energy renovation grants scheme to boost take-up MaPrimeRénov’ rules for homeowners and tradespeople to become simpler after applications plummet
Why it is hard to find people to do French eco-renovation grant work Almost one-fifth of trade companies did not renew their certification for 2024 Man buys Toulouse flat - then told it is uninhabitable few years later Firm proposes funding renovation of French property for a share of it Man does not have to pay for renovations as no quote signed in France
Buyers lose case over ‘banned’ loft conversion in France They wanted compensation from seller, who did not inform them that the loft had been renovated despite sales deed saying it could not be done
Act soon if applying for wood heating grant in France as aid to drop The means-tested support to switch heating systems will be cut by 30% in April
How does France’s new home renovation scheme for the over-70s work? New MaPrimeAdapt’ scheme will partly finance projects to help people stay independent for longer
From €135,000: Five renovation projects to give grand homes in France These properties just need some love (and money) to restore them to their former glory
US-French couple breathe life into 1960s bubble house The couple saw the ‘maison-bulle’ for sale on Leboncoin and committed to restore part of France’s architectural history
Do I need to declare changes to shutters at my French house? Wooden shutters are a mainstay of many French houses, but the rules on changing their appearance (colour or material) are less obvious
Tips to avoid home renovation scams in France More cases are expected as the government increases the amount available in grants for eco-friendly projects
Are modern underpants really shown in medieval French church window? The Troyes tourist board had initially joked that a pair of men's briefs were added to the stained glass window during restoration
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 French renovation grant to target old gas boiler replacement Brittany man wins €1m on replacement scratch card Which materials have gone up the most for home renovation in France?
French court rules on tradesmen and faulty materials for renovations Our property ‘round-up’ also looks at new tests to limit drought damage to homes and a big rise in bedbug infestations Land for sale at €1 per m² in rural village in central France How to dispose of rubble, bricks and other renovation waste in France Many homeowners still ‘better off’ with France's new local tax system Which renovation works can exempt you from property tax in France? Can I get financial help towards replacing boiler at my French home?
France offers more money to households replacing their old boilers The government has increased the financial help available for replacing old boilers with new, eco-friendly models. Who is eligible for the aid?
Airbnb rip-offs, tax cut to be scrapped?: 5 French property updates We round up the latest from the French property sector
Tips to avoid energy renovation scams in France after warning issued The government’s consumer protection branch shares examples of typical complaints it receives and how to spot fraudsters
Pagoda-style French seaside renovation has romantic backstory Vicki Jeynes fell in love with La Pagode, a unique house in the south of France, and despite its poor condition, she purchased and renovated it, fulfilling her dream of living by the sea
Will renovation grants be extended to DIY projects? The French agency Anah is considering the possibility of including DIY projects in its MaPrimeRénov' scheme
DIY projects on French homes may become eligible for renovation grants Those running the MaPrimeRénov’ scheme are not ruling it out but must deal with fraud and organised crime first
France’s eco-friendly home renovation scheme again called to question A senate report said MaPrimeRénov' was too complex and needed to be better funded
Wait to buy warning, squatting crackdown: 5 French property updates Plus government defends eco home renovation scheme and unique French fishing huts for sale
Boost for homeowners as France pours €300m extra into eco grant scheme MaPrimeRénov provides financial aid for those planning environmentally friendly home improvements
Is French eco-renovation aid only for main homes? Financial help is available for renovating French homes to make them more energy efficient, but second-home owners are not always eligible
France wants to restore its village churches… but who is going to pay? The government is looking at implementing a subscription model in a bid to fund restoration work for small churches in France
Help to renovate French home undermined by lack of certified builders Figures suggest less than 5% of the building firms listed in France have the necessary paperwork to carry out grant-approved work
‘Old French house bricks have a character that is unique’ Bricks tell a story and can help date parts of your property, says Nick Inman
Do we have to pay back eco grants when we sell our French home? It depends on which financial assistance you have received
Five French property updates: second homes surtax, noisy neighbours Plus: how to get a Paris apartment from €30,000, and why air conditioning is becoming increasingly desirable among house hunters in France
Hundreds sue over French energy renovation grant delays The legal action is linked to the French government’s MaPrimeRenov’ scheme, which funds improvements to a home’s energy efficiency
Five French property updates: undeclared extensions, slowing market We also look at how hundreds of refunds are due over issues with grants for environmentally-friendly upgrades to homes
Unusual French properties: Mill owners can see water below their feet In our series looking at unusual properties, Charles Miskin tells us he has no regrets after falling for an old watermill
Nine tips for managing a French home renovation project yourself If you prepare in advance like a professional project planner, doing your own renovations will not seem so daunting
Drawing will help you get to the essence of a French building Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of renovating an old French farmhouse
18 changes for residents and property owners in France - January 2023 From energy bill help to a ban on single-use packaging in fast-food restaurants, we look at the changes that have come into place this month
Community workshops make DIY accessible in France A growing number of community workshops have sprung up in France offering DIY enthusiasts access to space, equipment and skills to develop their projects
Notre-Dame fire: What is France doing to protect its other cathedrals? Four years on from the blaze at the Paris landmark, France is investing €220 million to guard against a repeat elsewhere in the country
French renovation rule over children having to OK work is insulting Firm told readers they needed to have their children sign-off on a payment they need to make to it
Is there any aid to help replace old draughty windows at French home? We look at the help available for upgrading single-glazed windows
French handyman offers home renovations to people in need The builder wants to help people in south-west France who are unable to afford essential renovation work, and he has plans to expand to the rest of the country
Eleven changes in France for residents in April From home energy audits to sexist contempt offences, we look at changes coming in and some key dates
Noisy deliveries, JFK’s holiday home and the dangers of subletting Our weekly round-up of property-related news in France
French renovation: Why bricks don’t deserve ‘second best’ reputation Nick Inman argues that primitive mudbrick constructions could find a new fan base among people looking for more environmentally friendly building practices
How I bought our new family home in France for €1 The town council of Saint-Amand-Montrond hope to bring life back into the town centre by repurposing empty buildings
Where is the best place to buy a second home in France? Our property news wrap also looks at a neighbour dispute over a right of way, liability for latent defects when selling a property and MaPrimeRénov' bugs
Admin error led to renovation aid refusal in France: what can we do? Make sure when you are applying for aid, you follow steps in the correct order
What help is there to adapt homes in France for old age? We look at the aid schemes currently available in France to help older people to continue living at home
French eco-renovation grants increase as price of materials rises Funding available through the MaPrimeRénov’ scheme will rise from €15,000 to €25,000 but homeowners carrying out works will need to keep a more detailed record
Shed tax rise, renovation aid, rental prices: French property updates We also look at the introduction of a mandatory logbook for home eco-renovations and how a chateau once visited by General de Gaulle is on sale for just €550,000
French renovation: Bell tower collapse is a chance to ring the changes Writer Nick Inman is impressed by his friends’ ornate rebuilding of a bell tower on their property, which showcases the couple’s skills and interests
Couple warn of French renovation grant ‘frustrations’ The Vintner family lost out on aid worth €1,280 for double glazing in their home after signing for the installation before getting formal approval
Energy audits, tax, grants: What is new for property in France in 2023 We look at the energy diagnostic tests needed for sales or letting and why installing a pool will cost more
‘Our quirky French home: a former nightclub fitted with glitterballs’ The property is large enough to accommodate a burgeoning brocante business as well as an intergenerational family
100 French heritages sites to receive funding through lottery funds The money will go to sites across the country in need of restoration and repair
France looks to make eco-renovations easier for flat owners The government has proposed reducing the number of co-owners who must agree to the work being carried out
DIY in France: Fixing garden wall is opportunity to study old methods Writer Nick Inman’s main challenge in rebuilding his orchard perimeter was replicating the old mortar
Renovation loans, evictions, house swaps: Five French property updates We also look at tax authorities’ Google surveillance of garden pools in 2023
Grant to renovate French homes is extended with a bigger budget Those applying for large sums, however, will soon have to use (and pay for) a professional adviser
Former schoolhouse makes quirky French home for US family The family have yet to convert the old classroom but currently live in the adjacent former mayor’s office
Old clothes turned into home insulation and sold in French DIY shops The insulation is made from donated charity garments that are too badly damaged to be resold
Extra boiler aid, drought damage claims: Five French property updates We also explain why advertising a home yourself if you have an exclusive estate agent contract could cost you dear, a tougher new squatting law and more Airbnb backlash
‘I swapped hairdressing in UK for family window business in France’ Jane Robertshaw, explains how hairdressing kept her away from her sons. Their move to France brought a new family venture
DIY: Buying wood board for French property renovation can be minefield Writer Nick Inman explains how he has learned to navigate bewildering builders’ merchants and what you need to ask for
‘€8,000 barge in France gave us an off-grid retirement’ A British couple talk through their DIY conversion of an old working boat into a cosy floating home on the Canal du Midi
Common errors that push up taxe foncière: Five French property updates We also look at why it is important to consider neighbour complaints before signing off on renovation work
Airbnb launches €1million eco-friendly plan for hosts in France The funds are to help hosts make sustainable renovations to their rentals. The plan has been dubbed ‘win-win’ by the French government
French farmhouse DIY on a budget: Quick bathroom makeover ideas Writer Nick Inman explains how a daring new colour scheme brought seaside chic to the space
€1,000 energy audit to be needed for sales of millions of French homes The certificates, detailing work needed to improve energy efficiency, will involve suggested action only, but some experts think it could later be made obligatory
Case study: Upgrading an old stone barn conversion in France Couple in south-west tell of their challenge to make insulation and heating improvements to the massive building so it conforms to modern standards
Homeowners applying for French renovation grants will need consultant From next year many homeowners must get the help of a registered consultant to guard them against fraud or faulty work
Quirky French property brings history buffs knocking How a 19th-century steam pump house pulled at the heartstrings of a British couple – and attracts the attention of complete strangers too
DIY: Upcycling pallets keeps costs down on French farmhouse renovation Ladders, gabions and even a bar are among thrifty and creative ideas for repurposing wooden pallets
French renovation: family DIY project saves money on garden gates When shop-bought gates were too expensive, Nick Inman got the whole family involved in his latest woodwork creations
'We wanted a small bolthole but bought a ruined French chateau' Australian couple say they have no regrets for their impulse buy