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Sherlocked

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Posts posted by Sherlocked

  1. UPDATE: agent called, said she’d found an English installer who sadly doesn’t do our region but has recommended this https://www.sotralentz-habitat.fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Actifiltre-V3-05-18.pdf

    Costs about £8.5k and is SPANC approved. She gave us his number so we’ll give him a call. Meanwhile she’s trying to find installers of it in our region and someone who’s had it fitted.

    Thoughts?
  2. ALBF yeah, we’ve lived in France before (renting) and worked there, schooled the kids there, sorted our bills, insurance, etc so we an idea of exactly what we’re up against which is why it’s an idea to ask the vendor to sort it in return for the full asking price.

    They can only say no.

    And yes, I know they probably will say no. Pessimism is in my nature.
  3. Cheers however the property is still listed so I’d rather not give it away as I’m still in contact with the vendor and agency.

    Why would we need to move into town?

    I fully understand that a house connected to the mains is much more desirable. We totally get what we’re taking on by looking at rural properties. My in-laws live on a farm in Lancashire and we live is a fairly isolated spot where a car is a must. My dad lives in a remote house in Orkney, so yeah we know what we’re getting into.

    I think I’ll offer the asking price if the vendor can get the work done. If that is turned down then we’ll look elsewhere.

    Thanks for all the help
  4. Thanks all.

    Yes I know about the cold. I’m from the north west. We also know what it’s like not to have local shops. We live rurally now.

    You are right that every rural property in France will have a non conformity septic, I did smile at being told not to buy a house with a fosse. A town house is not for us.

    Good advice to offer the asking price if they sort out the issue, I might try that!

    Otherwise we’ll just move on and let another family move in. Lucky sods!

    Thanks for the welcome, nice to be here!
  5. Well, no other renovation costs needed. Been on sale for 6 months. Owner did a lot of work but had to move out due to disability. He didn’t want to leave.

    It’s got 2 double beds. Fully detached. 3 miles from nearest village, 5 miles from nearest town.

    Thanks for the advice. As I said the only issue is the fosse and for someone who wants to live there permanently, they can put in a micro. The vendor says he is willing to reduce based on that premises.

    For the right family, it’s a bit of a bargain.

    I guess you’d need to see it. Or take my word. I’m no fool.

    Plus we are hoping for a home, not an investment.

  6. Ah, I see. Thank you for explaining. I think I got defensive about judgements on a property that the posters have not seen and on my capacity for being taken for a ride.

    I’m from Manchester, we are naturally cynical and don’t spend money easily.

    It’s a lovely house and the diagnostic says it’s suitable for a microstation. Which is not suitable for us. The vendor seems genuine and the agents are trying to be helpful, but obviously they’ll only feed us positive news rather than the realism we are looking for.

    I came asking if anyone had experienced something similar. Perhaps someone knew someone in the region who could advise. Maybe a micro filter would be a solution. But I realise that would be too much hassle. There are too many uncertainties and the replies have helped to cement that thought.

    We’ll keep looking.
  7. I get it. We’re walking away.

    However what I would say is that the property can have a microstation installed for permanent inhabitants. We’re just not permanent inhabitants.

    You’re a negative lot aren’t you? Why the assumption that I’m not listening when I’ve stated I am?

    The property is worth the asking price to the right person.

    Please do not assume I am thick or naive. It’s not necessary. I have taken all the advice on board. Thank you.
  8. Well Derek, that's why I am posting on here! I've not said that we are going to put in an offer or buy it anyway, I just wanted to hear some impartial advice because the only advice we have so far has come from the estate agents. I am not foolish enough to take that advice alone, hence coming here.

    The house has already been reduced by £10k and the vendor was willing to reduce more for a quick sale. He has become disabled, living with his parents and needs the money. It's detached on the edge of a national park, has double glazing, central heating (gas and electric) and 2 log burners. New roof and a paddock across the road.

    Seemed perfect. Too good to be true I guess.

    We will walk away. Thanks for the advice. We do expect to have to get the fosse septique replaced on any rural property we buy, but like you say, we need one with a straightforward replacement, not one where there are so many unknowns.
  9. Thank you!

    The report suggests a micro-station.

    We are looking at rural properties so most of them require a replacement. Even if we found one that had a new fosse, it needs checking every 4 years. We've not found a single rural property that is on the mains. Of the ones we looked at only one had a fosse that conformed and that conformity runs out in 2 years.

    The estate agent is Belgium.
  10. I know what you mean, it would be gutting to walk away. I find this https://www.greentechjournal.fr/microstation-residence-secondaire/ which suggests a solution for second homes, but I would need to find out if it's suitable for the property we are looking at.

    I don't mind paying out for a ground survey but would prefer an indication first, of whether there is a solution because otherwise we're just giving 600 euros away. The agency keep telling us that there is definitely a solution but they are not SPANC registered nor are they contractors. They are trying to sell a house.
  11. I'll try to be brief. We found a house we wanted to put an offer on, but the septic tank is (obviously) non-conforming. It is on a small triangle of land less than 5 metres in either direction of the house, the road and a neighbour's field, with an outbuilding between it and the road. Therefore we cannot replace it with a new one.

    We contacted the estate agent who suggested a micro-station, but we have since found out that these are not authorised for a second home, which this would be for now.

    We were given a list of contractors and I tried emailing 2 of them, who have not replied. I also emailed the Mairie, who did not reply. Eventually we were given the name of the guy who had signed the certificate as we were also worried about access to the septic tank. He allegedly told the vendor that he was confident access could be via the road, that a telehandler would be able to reach over to extract the old tank and insert a micro-station. There's that suggestion again!

    The estate agent has tried to contact him but has been told that technicians do not tend to get back to people. She has suggested a micro-station (again) and said that some are able to be installed for second homes.

    In the meantime I got hold of a guy from SPANC who told me that micro-stations are not authorised for second homes but that they are alternatives and his colleague would get back to me. That hasn't happened despite me chasing twice.

    Now the agency are telling me that we will have to pay around 400-650 euros for a soil sample. We feel we are being pushed to do this without any real answers as to whether a solution is even possible.

    We are at an impasse. My French is appalling by telephone so I am trying to do what I can online, but no contractor seems willing to reply to me. All we want is an idea of the best solution and the price. The agency has suggested digging up the road which we have balked at. We're considering withdrawing our interest which is a shame as it's a lovely house and ticks all the boxes.

    It's in Orne. Does anyone know of any helpful contractors in this area? Or has anyone experienced similar issues that could give advice? Thanks in advance.
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