Clé France

Baby It’s Cold Outside...

It seems like just yesterday I was waking up to la canicule, but with the changing seasons and clocks falling back, it’s really starting to get cold. I already have to turn on le chauffage (the heater, the heating) and find mes vêtements d’hiver (my winter clothes)!

After spending months next to le ventilateur (the fan) and wishing mon appartement (my apartment) had la climatisation (air conditioning), I was happy that France was cooling down. Cependant (however), after putting off buying un ventilateur for so long I didn’t want to put it away until I had no choice.

As the temperature drops, I have turned off le ventilateur and closed les fenêtres (the windows), but it has quickly become a struggle to stay warm. I’ve had to turn on le chauffage, prepare du café chaud (some hot coffee), and me couvrir (bundle up).

I’m from la Floride (Florida) and preparing for l’hiver (Winter) and le temps froid (cold weather) is something I’m not used to doing. I’ve learned how to survive and bought des vêtements d’hiver (some winter clothes), but there are still many things about le froid that surprise me.

When il faisait trop froid (it was too cold) and I turned on le chauffage, I noticed une odeur bizarre (a strange smell). Mon voisin (my neighbor) noticed l’odeur as well and came over to see if I was okay.

Ça va ? Il y a une odeur bizarre qui vient de ton appartement.

Ouais, je ne sais pas d’où ça vient.

Est-ce que tu as allumé le chauffage ?

Oui…. Il fait froid ces derniers jours.

Ahh ! Tu dois ouvrir les fenêtres !

Is everything alright? There’s a strange smell coming from your apartment.

Yeah, I don’t know where it’s coming from.

Did you turn on the heater?

Yes… It’s cold these days.

Ahh! You have to open the windows!

La Floride never taught me how to deal with l’hiver and I wasn’t aware of l’odeur bizarre that comes with turning on the heat for the first time!

Since it was already froid, I had to suffer for a little while while l’odeur left l’appartement. I took it as a sign that I needed to prepare for l’hiver and found all mes vêtements d’hiver.

L’hiver is only just starting and I’ll have to get used to le froid. I’m looking forward to les marchés de Noël, but I hope I don’t catch a cold!

Blog submitted by: David at The French Property Network - Cle France.

This blog was originally posted on The French Language Blog pages.

With the £ Pound recovering this week after a big dip and the political landscape starting to calm down a little, it offers some more stability to peoples plans to find a new life abroad. We find that everybody's reasons to move to another country are so varied that we are surprised most days, and it is true that this week we have seen a rise in viewing request from our American friends! seems like France is a popular choice for those not looking for the cold Canadian climate!

Closer to home we thought we would bring together some frequently asked questions and answer them for you, some of the information below has come from our friends over at 'The France Show' which is due to take place at London Olympia from 27-29 January 2017, we recommend a visit to this the biggest 'all things French' show in the UK, if nothing else it is a great day out but also you can pick up French food products and even a property if you are feeling flush on the day!

How has Brexit affected property buyers?

The UK’s decision to leave the European Union has understandably caused concern and uncertainty among British buyers considering a property purchase in France. Yet while the exact implications of the result are still unclear at this stage, British buyers will continue to be able to buy in France and property experts have expressed confidence in the continued growth of the French property market.

Will I still be able to buy property in France?

Brits visited and bought property in France long before the UK was part of the EU, and will still be able to do so.

Buyers from non-EU countries including the USA, Australia and Chine consistently invest in French property without problems. The existing process of buying a property in France is the same for French, EU and non-EU residents.

Furthermore, British buyers are an important element of the French property market, accounting for 34% of sales in 2015, and it is unlikely that France will want to damage this by making it too difficult for Brits to buy property.

Will I still be able to get a French mortgage?

British borrowers are the largest single overseas nationality who borrow from the French retail banks so it is unlikely that French banks will introduce tougher criteria for Brits who want a French mortgage. French mortgage rates are currently at historic lows and some Brits who were cash buyers are now taking out a French mortgage as a way of mitigating the effects of volatile exchange rates.

Make a no-obligation mortgage enquiry here

Will I still be able to live in France?

As EU citizens Brits can currently live and work anywhere within the EU without having to apply for permission and this will continue until the UK officially leaves the EU. It seems unlikely that this freedom of movement will continue after the UK has left the EU but there are a large number of French people living in the UK so it seems likely that a bilateral agreement between France and the UK will be reached.

Sterling rallies on uncertainty in Europe and the USA

After weeks of turmoil, sterling has emerged as the main benefactor of uncertainty in Europe and more recently the USA, following a clear swing from the popular ruling establishment.

Risk averse markets have pushed sterling up against most major currencies.

Saturday 12th November at 10:30 £1.00 GBP = 1.16 EURO

For more information on the currency service we can provide please feel free to contact Ben Amrany from FC Exchange follow this link or phone and ask for myself and quote "Cle France" on 020 7989 0000.

You may contact me directly using this form (click here) with your requirement and I will explain the options that are available to you in getting the best exchange rate.

'The France Show'

Taken in part from 'The France Show' the UK’s biggest celebration of France returns to Olympia, London in January.

The France Show is back for 2017, so whether you’re looking for some travel tips, thinking of buying property in France, hoping to brush up your language skills or want to try regional food and wines, pick up some recipe inspiration or just have a great French day out, you’ll find it all at The France Show at London Olympia from 27-29 January!

Blog submitted by: David at The French Property Network - Cle France.

Good morning Sharon,

We just wanted to say thank you for recommending Nick Warner to carry out the survey on our proposed property purchase in Normandy.

He did so on Monday, and we received his very thorough & comprehensive report yesterday. We were so impressed at how quickly he got back to us and pleasantly surprised and relieved that although there are a few things to address, they don't sound too onerous or expensive to rectify, but time will tell!

He has even answered a couple of consequent questions for us. We would therefore highly recommend him to future clients.

Many thanks for all your help we really appreciate it.

Kindest regards, Debbie & Paul.

In France 'English' style structural surveys are almost unknown, there is not even a word for 'surveyor', the nearest being 'Expert de Batiment'. But if a client feels the need for a good old fashioned – 'Structural Survey' this is when we recommend Nick Warner.

Cle France will guide YOU through the French Property Buying Process!

And as several of our clients say "Follow your heart and make the move"!

At Francophile Legal Consulting, we have been helping non-residents claiming back the French social charges they have paid in relation to the rental income or capital gain they have received from their French property.

Regardless of where you are residing and as long as you are not registered with the French health care system, you will be able to recover the social charges you have paid between 2013 and 2016.

In brief:

Starting in 2012, the non-residents had to pay social charges (15.5%) in addition to the capital gain or income they received from their French property. In 2015, the European Court of Justice ruled that this new tax regime imposed on non-residents was against EU Law.

Following this case law (case C-623-13-Mr De Ruyter), the non-residents could claim a refund of social charges they have paid. However, the French government took measures to make the tax regime on non-residents compliant with EU rules, making it impossible to claim back the social charges paid after the 1st January 2016.

Under French law, any tax claim must be issued by 31st December of the second year following the year in which the tax was paid.

So non-residents who have paid social charges on their rental income perceived in 2013 or capital gain in 2014 have until 31st December 2016 to submit a claim to get their refund. For those who have paid social charges on their rental income perceived in 2014 or capital gain in 2015 have until the 31st December 2017 to issue a claim.

Your claim must be issued to the French Tax Office for non-residents accompanied by the necessary supportive documents. The claim must include legal argumentation. We have seen many enquiries from people who unsuccessfully claimed the social charges by themselves due to lack of justifications or supportive documents.

That is why we strongly recommend to use our services in order to ensure your claim will be successful. So far, we have experienced a 100% success rate. See our latest testimonial. Once we have gathered the necessary information and documents from you, we will draft and issue your claim in France. The whole process can be long. In some cases, we have seen clients being refunded within 6-12 months in other cases longer.

We will advise you and update you throughout the process.

So don’t forget to claim a refund of French social charges! Our firm can assist you in claiming back the social charges you have paid.

Please contact us if you would like more information on this or would like to pursue such a claim.

This article was written by Loic Raboteau, French Legal Advisor and director of French Legal Consulting.

Francophile legal Consulting can assist you with international property matters. For more information on this topic, please do not hesitate to contact Loic Raboteau, managing director by completing the form below. 

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A little more about FRANCOphile Legal Consulting Ltd.

The company was created in response to the need of legal experts for international private clients and businesses. People are no longer confined within their own country boundaries to work, create a business or purchase assets. National, international laws and new technology have enabled people and businesses to move and expand internationally, creating a demand to resolve cross-border issues.

We are a London-based legal consultancy company dedicated to addressing our clients’ international needs. Whether you are a private individual moving or investing in a foreign country, an entrepreneur, or a business willing to expand internationally, FRANCOphile Legal Consulting Ltd will cater your specific requirements and will look after your interests in the short and long term.

Benefiting from an extensive network of international lawyers, solicitors, accountants and financial advisors based in London and in several jurisdictions, FRANCOphile Legal Consulting Ltd is able to handle your interests in different countries around the world.

Our approach and solutions are tailored to our clients’ needs. We believe that our clients are unique and warrant distinctive service.

Our international coverage includes France, London, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt and Mauritius. If you would like to know more about us then fill out the contact form above and we will be right back to you.

Wednesday 9th November at 08:30 - £1.00 GBP = 1.1172 EURO

£1.00 GBP = 1.2418 USD

Another shock for financial markets to absorb as Trump defeats Clinton. It appears the Senate and House of Representatives are both Republican, offering more power to the celebrity President should he manage to unite the party.

Global markets rocked as Trump wins the US election.  US Dollar loses ground across the board as traders become risk averse, causing a sell-off of Australian dollar, New Zealand dollar and South African rand. While markets rush to safe-havens such as Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc and Gold.

GBP/USD up by 0.25%

EUR/USD up by 1.00%

GBP/EUR down by 0.75%

With large swings in markets already happening, it is important you find out how this could affect you, contact Ben Amrany from FC Exchange follow this link or phone and ask for myself and quote "Cle France" on 020 7989 0000.

Do you want more information ?

So if you need to buy or sell sterling and would like to be kept up to date with all the latest data releases and exchange rate movements then feel free to contact myself Ben Amrany. If you are buying or selling a house in France we will make sure your monies are in the right place at the right time, we work hand in hand with you and Cle France.

For more information on the currency service I can provide please feel free to contact myself...

Ben Amrany from FC Exchange follow this link or phone and ask for myself and quote "Cle France" on 020 7989 0000.

You may contact me directly using this form (click here) with your requirement and I will explain the options that are available to you in getting the best exchange rate.

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