Hank

This is something I need to look into during the research into a permanent move. A couple of tips: at least one leading provider has a 14 day cooling off period so for short term European Breakdown Cover (eg househunting for a week) you can cancel the annual fee when you return, as long as you didn't make a claim. It might not be easy to get them to repay you promptly but it is possible. The RAC have an 0800 number and a premium 0844 number but if you call the 0800 number you can still connect to customer service staff. Watch out for the small print on repatriation. Understandably, many insurers will only ship your car back to the UK if the shipping/towing costs are less than the current value of your car. Arguing the toss about £100 either way could be very frustrating. If it is badly damaged in an accident the value might be virtually zero and the insurers will need to be informed before you try to get recovery. I can imagine this being a complete nightmare after an accident in a foreign country. A lot of breakdown companies won't cover you (online) for travel the very next day (RAC did) so do not leave it too late to shop around. My choices were also seriously restricted because some websites were down for weekend maintenance. Everyone has a sorry tale about breakdown services. In my experience, the small print has caught me out every time, including being abandoned in the snow on Christmas eve.

Thanks. I will indeed see what I can find out from the appropriate officers and report back. Cherry picking snippets from the web is time-consuming and probably quite risky. My faith in the agent quickly evaporated when he said, "I didn't tell you this but I think they will settle for X or maybe even Y." I think it is always worth remembering that, as with a regulated solicitor or independent financial advisor, you need to be certain that you can get redress from their professional body when things go bad. An optimist might have used 'if' in that last sentence; alas, my caveats have long since been emptored.

Ah! Thanks for that - another question for the flowchart... The stone building is a typical half house/half barn under a single, pitched slate roof. There is no evidence of any livestock having been kept in the barn; it just appears to be a hayloft and vehicle store. Thank you for the technical specs. I have had a quick look and it seems that a barn renovation for habitation is not exempt. I forgot to mention some further information received from the mayor's office: one cannot apply for a construction permit until you have bought the property. This sounds logical but is completely unhelpful with regard to due diligence. As a prospective buyer, I need to know if specific renovations are going to be allowable under the current rules. If this means engaging a builder or architect to do some sketches and draw up a rough spec then so be it. Pending some official information, the positive noises from the agent have been dismissed as sales patter.

Many thanks to both for your detailed and helpful responses. Encouragingly, we received a very prompt email reply from the Maire who simply said we need a permit. From other threads it seems that the next step is to ask the vendor to obtain a CU and then find out whether DDE's advice with regard to modifications is prohibitive. Of course, any subsequent contract must be conditional on obtaining appropriate permissions. I am tempted to start designing a comprehensive flowchart for the whole process. The first question would be: Have you done this before? Answering 'No' takes you to "Rent". Answering 'Yes' takes you to the question: "Are you insane?"

Hi all. We have just found a good rural property in a quiet hamlet and have put in a low offer which has been considered and initially rejected. The property has a stone/slate adjoining barn which would convert this modest cottage into a good sized home for a permanent move. I appreciate that permission may be required (and the tax increased) but if the barn cannot be carefully restored as an extension then it is likely to be a white elephant and we would be better looking for something with a few more rooms and less DIY. Rather than relying on the French agent's 'relaxed' advice, what is the best way to confirm our options before we go any further? Would a call to the Mairie suffice or do we need something more formal? (Other half is fluent in French). We have not yet had sight of any reports so are expecting the septic tank to be another factor in the negotiation. Any advice gratefully received.