louisedaniel

Thanks to everyone for your help. I will let you know what happens. They are at the stage where the buyers are appointing an 'expert' to make a decision. My parents will attend this visit with a fluent bi-lingual French/English friend. They themselves are pretty good French speakers but do miss things especially when its legal jargon. It's an agonisingly slow process, very frustrating. Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for your comments - and the vice cache info in particular. Louise

I totally agree. And that's what everyone they talk to thinks, except the buyers. It is incomprehensible. Anyway, they do have a lawyer ... just hope it's a good one. Louise

They didn't, they bought in France again. Louise

Can anyone help with this problem: My parents (both English) - the most up front honest people you could find - sold a property in France last October to a couple (one English one French). They had lived there 10 years. The Compromis de Vent was signed 6 months previously so plenty of cooling off period. There is a feature in the house of rocks (real rocks, part of the landscape inside the house, at ground level) which seep water if it rains badly. The rain seeps onto quarry tiles so causes no damage. You simply have to mop it up with towels or put a bucket there. It's very obvious that this is likely to happen because the rocks are real rocks connected to the outside. My parents were totally open about this (verbally, in an email to the buyers English, plus the buyers looked freely around the house at least twice and could have asked questions then, plus a long period between signing of compromis de vent and completion). My parents are now being sued by the buyers who are saying they kept the leaks hidden which is simply not true. It would seem there were bad rains last autumn (Provence) the worse for some time - in fact all the neighbours suffered in a similar fashion. The buyers chose not to have a survey although I know this is not common practice in France. It has to be said these buyers were a nightmare from start to finish... nitpicking every detail and in fact had pulled out of two previous sales at the last minute... the agent says she has never met people like them. None of this counts for anything, I realise. Where can I find out the law on this. Given they didn't want a survey, given they have bought the house, can they do what they are doing? i.e. suing to pay for damage and to sort out the leaks - probably impossible if they want to keep the rocks (which are a very attractive, rustic feature). The situation is that the court are appointing 'experts' to inspect the house and make a decision - which could potentially cost a fortune, if my parents lost - money they don't have - they are retired and live in France permanently (only one home). Would be grateful for any insights or suggestions as to where to find info about this kind of situation. I speak French so ok with French sites. Very many thanks indeed.