Question: Hi Alex, what sort of costs for living cost ie. water electric gas and rates, for say, in western regions compared to south western France. thanks Sean.

Answer: Hello Sean, many thanks for your question, if I understand you correctly, I think your question is to ascertain whether or not the cost of utilities varies according to region, and the short answer to that is... not really.

However, there are considerable climatic differences in France, which will of course impact on things like usage of heating as you will consume energy differently if you live in a colder climate. That said if you are in an area where you can make the maximum benefit if solar power that will also impact favourably on your bills. 

So it is quite a complex question to answer, as really everything depends on usage, size of property, region, method of heating, well as opposed to main water; there are a large number of factors that will influence the amount you pay.

But I think its accurate to say that not many people will choose an area of France to live in according to what the cost of utilities might be:  it is more to do with accessibility, climate, lifestyle, cost of property, as whilst running costs are important, these other points are more significant.

For everything you need to know about French property visit www.clefrance.co.uk

Question: Hi Alex, can you describe the buying process in France to me as a complete novice? a really basic step by step format please.

Thanks, Ernest.

Answer: Hi Ernest, here we go in basic terms the process of buying a house in France, for a more detailed version you can read a bit more on our "Buying Process - The Basics" webpage as well.

1. Unlike in the UK, in France the estate agent will accompany the buyer to see the house and does not give the address of the house before the viewing.

2. You make an offer, usually betwen 5% and 10% of the asking price [but this does vary] and once accepted by the seller, the buyer and the seller sign an initial contract called the "Compromis-de-Vente"

3. Then follows a 10 day cooling off period, during that time the buyer can change their mind about buying the property but the seller is already committed. 

4. A deposit of 10% of the price of the house is paid at this stage to reserve the property.

5. The "Compromis-de-Vente" may include specific clauses or conditions, such as the sale being dependent on obtaining a mortgage arrangement or planning permission for example. 

6. The "Notaire" then makes the conveyancing, a "Notaire" must always be used for the purchase of a property in France.

For everything you need to know about French property visit www.clefrance.co.uk

Question: Hi Alex, I have a small gardening business in the UK and have always wondered if I can set this type of business up in France, we were thinking about buying a holiday home at first but after our first viewing trip with Cle France we saw that is we spend a little bit more we can get a lot more in France and move over full time. But... we would have to work and therefore was thinking about running the same sort of business in France.

A friend told me to start small and mentioned becoming 'auto entrepreneur' but I thought he was talking about being a car mechanic! LOL so can you tell me What is an auto entrepreneur?

Thanks, Dominic.

Answer: Hi Dominic, being an 'auto entrepreneur' is actually the most popular business set-up in France and is actually a 'tax status' or 'regime' rather than a legal stand point. You are actually an 'Enterprise Individuelle' or self employed / sole trader who chooses to be taxed as an 'auto entrepreneur'. Tax is based and worked out on your turnover, which cannot exceed 32,900 euros (in 2016 but this goes up a little each year) HOWEVER you cannot claim expenses against tax or charge VAT or recover it on purchases paid. 

So your gross turnover is taxed.

However it is a very simple system to operate when first arriving in France as you don’t have to produce accounts, Yippe! just proof of income and you have to pay as you go on a monthly basis. not many Ex-Pats setting up business set up Ltd companies as they are much more complicated when paying tax and social charges for both those within the business. But either way it’s essential to get some advice before setting up your business, particularly if your French is not that good yet.

Cle France have lots of local contacts so just ask for more details when you are ready.

For everything you need to know about French property visit www.clefrance.co.uk

Question: Hi I would like to buy property in France but in the future. What impact do you believe Brexit will have to a British citizen buying property in France. Would it be easier whilst the UK is still in EU? Thanks, Hazel.

Answer: Hi Hazel, there are quite a few articles on our blog pages on the Cle France website from various sources, especially from our legal contacts, my own view is that the process of 'BREXIT' will potentially take a number of years to negotiate, and in the meantime nothing changes, British people are still moving to France to live. In fact we've just had our busiest month in 8 years. 

So the consensus of opinion is that for now not much will change. The process of withdrawing from the EU will not be a speedy one, and the residency of those ex-pats living in France and elsewhere in the EU will no doubt form a part of that negotiation process.  

When I moved to France a residency permit known as the ‘Carte De Sejour’ was required; it was a relatively straightforward application process (or at least as straightforward as a French bureaucratic process can be!). Perhaps this could be re-introduced for British residents in the future.

Clearly there remain many questions to be answered, and fine details to be ironed out. But what is becoming apparent is that this will be a long process, possibly years in the making, and we will of course bring further news as and when it becomes available during the coming months.

But in the meantime life continues much as it always has done: the British have always lived, worked and retired to sunnier climes, and that will doubtless continue, even if some administrative aspects of live abroad may change.

Here is a link to 4 articles which we have published on the subject that you may find useful.

For everything you need to know about French property visit www.clefrance.co.uk

Question: We have recently made an offer on a property in France. It is with a private seller. We have agreed with the seller that we will source the Notaire. Are you able to recommend an English speaking Notaire please. thanks, Frank.

Answer: Hi Frank, it is usually the vendor who nominates the notaire, and it is usually the same notaire they bought through which actually makes sense because he/she will have all the documents relating to the property on archive, 

If you want guidance on your purchase I would go for a bi-lingual solicitor to represent your interest.

You could try Matthew Cameron who can be contact via the Cle France website - Legal Services Contact. 

For everything you need to know about French property visit www.clefrance.co.uk