Jon 1

We have been deterred from letting out our apartment, because of all the horror stories. We prefer to arrange a furnished let as the apartment is fully equipped. If we arranged the let through an agent and incorporated the letting insurance, should we have anything to fear? Can it still quite easily go sour, and we find ourselves in a difficult position? We are getting too long in the tooth for hassle!

In terms of deductions from capital gains, is it not the case that you don't have to produce receipts for work done, if you simply claim the set 15% deduction?

Many thanks.

I read in one of the Sunday papers that if your second home was being advertised to let that this tax could/would not be imposed. Surely a simple matter to have your property with an EA at a price that will discourage any interest. Problem solved?

Can anyone recommend the top hospital for male urology problems in South East France?

We fall into this latter category. For the past few years we have been spending less time in France largely due to having to support very elderly parents. Despite the fact that we will only be in France for about 6 weeks max this year, we still have all the associated costs in owning a small apartment. They amount to about £2,500 p.a. We don’t rent the apartment out. It is just for our own use. This new tax is the final straw as far as we are concerned. It was difficult enough with existing costs. When we return to France this summer we will be attempting to sell our apartment. The market does not look very good at the moment though. We are being squeezed at home and abroad and the pips are squeaking. We pay for much more than we consume in France, and this new tax is not acceptable. If we manage to sell our apartment, it will be pastures new for us. The money that we and others spend in France all adds up. I just hope that this tax measure comes back to bite them.

[quote user="NormanH"]It's interesting to see that those who have spent a few days holiday in Perpignan don't share the opinion of the French people who actually live there! I quote from the site I posted earlier: Ville morte C'est très sale et il y a une insécurité constante et de l'incivisme comme j'espère nullement ailleurs surtout ne pas prendre les petites rues, rester sur les grands axes L'insécurité et la saleté des quartiers défavorisés Installée à Perpignan depuis 1992, je trouve cette ville moche, triste, pas de jardins dignes de ce nom, peu de spectacles, mal desservie, l'impression d'être au bout du monde. Je souhaite en partir dès que possible." Il faut bien regarder avant d'être charmé[/quote] You quote someone with an obviously jaundiced view. On the same site there are numerous alternative quotes from locals who praise the city. There are UK websites akin to this French one where there is the same mix of jaundiced and positive viewpoints about British cities.  

[quote user="Clair"]The taxe foncière remains payable on empty properties.        Taxe foncière The taxe d'habitation would not be due on an unfurnished property.             Taxe d'habitation [/quote] Many thanks Clair, and please excuse my laziness in not rooting around to find the locations you have indicated.

I was in Perpignan last week.  It has an appeal and a buzz about it. My wife paricularly likes the variety of shops.  We didn't notice many boarded up ones.  I think you too will enjoy the variety and change from the ubiquitous shops throughout the UK. Yes it is shabby and dirty in parts, but as has been said, this description can be applied to most if not all French towns and cities. I particularly love Cannes and Nice, but I could say the same about these two very popular cities. A sanitised French city does not exist.  They all have their share of dirt, dog poo, and fresh and stale urine! My wife still gets annoyed to come upon French males happily urinating in daylight and in public view.  They add to the heady stench of dog and male urine that assaults your nostrils in public areas in France.  I gave up a long time ago wanting French towns and cities to be what I believed they could be, with just a few nips and tucks. I could live in Perpignan.  It is certainly more interesting and pleasant than some of our boring UK towns and cities.  Go for it........but rent first.    

If you are not a French resident and empty your property of all furniture, would you avoid TF and TdH?

[quote user="Keni "] I can only offer the following two items relating to France: 1. The Anti-British thing I have found tends to be more Anti-English. I have always had the Scottish St.Andrews flag on our car due to my Scottish descent, not a GB, relating to the Auld Aliiance. This has always been noted in car parks and the discussions are usually always friendly. 2. Always park your car in a car park next to a more expensive car - they'll target that one first - I work on the principal if they are going to nick/damage a car it will be a better one than mine! Sorry to hear about your experience though. There are crass persons that do this, but they exist all over the world - those who have not want to have without working for it and see anyone with what they think they they should have with jealousy. Don't lower yourself to their standards, the world would be a poorer place if we all stole/damaged/hurt others because we wanted their goods/lives. [/quote] How many of these morons that do this sort of damage would even have heard of the Auld Alliance.  Indeed, generally how many French or Scots know what the Auld Alliance was?  The Scottish flag in itself may help, but if you are pinning your hopes on the Auld Alliance, I feel you may be sadly disappointed. With ubiquitous populist culture, and cultural imperialism through American movies, you would probably be better off mentioning mel Gibson and Braveheart! In this region even French cars that do not have the region's identifier can be targeted!  The French dislike other French, particularly the Parisiennes! 

Post deleted Comments or questions regarding the general administration of the forum should be made by "private message" or using the "Report" link to the moderators or direct to Forum Admin. Such comments or questions should not be posted in the open forum. I'll send a PM (russethouse)

I can truly sympathise with your bad experience. We were recently in Cannes, and parked our car in the street directly outside our hotel.  The hotel was situated in a quiet residential district. On the morning of our departure we discovered that someone had placed a lit cigarette on our wiper blade and cracked the windscreen.  As it is a thermic windscreen, the cost of replacement was 937 euros.  Apart from the cost there was the disruption and afffect on our trip. It really upset and disappointed us.  In our gloom, we got into a discussion with two French retired military gentlemen at an adjacent restaurant table as to why the French dislike the English so much.  It took them some time to respond, but apparently it was due to the '100 Years War' and the conflict over the American colonies!!!!  Apparently the life giving support through two world wars does not cancel this out!! Our car has been maliciously damaged 3 times during the past 7 years of holidays in France.  We have never had our car damaged in the UK. We notice that as soon as most Frenchmen spy our right hand drive, they then fix on the number plate.  It really attracts attention. The French depress me with their anti Anglo Saxon attitude.

Many thanks to all contributors. For Bernice, please cut and paste the following url  http://www.frenchentree.com/fe-legal/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=851 However, this is the salient paragraph: Q. Any other exemptions? A. Yes. You are exempt from French CGT if you are in receipt of an old age pension or are an invalid. This applies even if you are a non-resident. This is subject to some fairly detailed conditions set out in the tax code. There are a number of other more detailed exemptions. The main residence exemption which is similar to the UK one and which can only apply if you are French resident appears below. What I really wanted to know was what is involved in respect of the above ie "This is subject to some fairly detailed conditions set out in the tax code".  I would really like to identify what these conditions are.  I don't really want to have to rely on a notaire as they are sometimes not very clued in, or worse can be indifferent or careless.  The experiences of others on this site, and my own, attest to this.  I really prefer to approach a notaire armed with all the facts.

Can anyone please advise, or direct me to information on the avoidance of French CGT on a maison secondaire, in respect of a spouse who has joint ownership of a property and is about to reach the UK pensionable age of 60? My take on it, is that it may be possible to split the gain and attribute one half to my wife who may not have any tax to pay on that half due to the French Government excusing CGT for those of pensionable age. She has not reached this age yet, but may do so in the time it could take to sell our property. Thus far I have not found anything definitive on the above, other than some vague references.

We would be very interested in views on the current Languedoc property market.

After 6 years we have decided to sell our flat in Languedoc.  We feel we want more varied travel experiences. Any advice on selling is welcome, ie methodology, web sites, tips, pitfalls etc. We would also be interested in views on the current Languedoc property market.      

I have not yet received my T de H bill in the UK. Are some departments late in getting them out? What is the latest date that you can pay online? I had a problem last year even after delivering notification of my changed UK address by hand.  Eventually I had to make contact by e-mail and it caused last minute payment problems.  I again emphasised my new address, but it seems that despite this I may have problems once again!

This is something that worries me too. Saga refused to insure me this year because of the length of absence, yet they had done so in previous years. All the others I contacted offered cover but with ludicrous stipulations, like totally daining down all water and central heating systems. Even when you comply with them, you still remain concerned that they are going to try and wriggle out of compensation should there be a problem.   

I think you are very wise to take the advice to rent.  French house prices are not rising drastically at the moment, so this should not be a problem.  In fact my personal impression of the French economy is one of stagnation. Once you are settled in Saumur it will give you an opportunity to shop around.  You may even find that you prefer another location. Google Saumur location and you will obtain a number of appropriate url's to assist with your search.  Here is one to get you started: http://www.fnaim.fr/annonces-ville.aspx?immobilier=saumur&cp=49400 You can correspond by e-mail or telephone contact with the immobiliers, via their web pages. Renting is not so expensive as in the UK and there appears to be a great deal of protection for those who rent. Most/all rentals are unfurnished so you should not have any problem in that categoy. Be careful with rural isolation.  You may be better to locate within the town or on the periphery.  It is all a matter of preference.  If you were to list your preferences the perhaps you will receive more appropriate advice. If your French is rusty or poor, then start French classes right away, and/or start on the cd's and books etc. I would recommend that you open a bank account with Britline/Credit Agricole or other as soon as possible.  I can recommend Britline for computer access and they have English speaking staff. Living and Working in France by David Hampshire is a useful source of information. I am sure that others on the site will give you further advice.      

You have been given sound advice from the forum contributors. You could live reasonably comfortably on £18,000, but not extravagantly.  There is a rural/urban equation to be considered which can affect qulity of life and cost of living.  France is now on a par with most UK costs, as someone said the cheaper compared with the more expensive, balances things out. However, as someone has already intimated, and I would strongly advise, do not burn your bridges.  We had enjoyable French holidays over a 30 year period, but it is not at all the same as living amongst the French.  France is not Nirvanha, and I am not at all trying to be negative when I say this.  I am simply being honest. I would strongly advise you to rent for at least the first year to fully experience French living.  You can rent quite cheaply in France in most areas.  Alternatively consider trading down and going 50/50, and have the best of both worlds when you feel like it.  As with most moves to another country it takes about 2 years to really settle in and decide if it is for you.  As an alternative I would also consider renting out your UK home for a year and using the proceeds to rent in France.  This would give you the opportunity to really get the taste of France without the risk. You are also in the age group that should carefully consider what would you do if you were eventually on your own in France.  This is something that has to be faced up to. I know that you probably want to launch yourself into your new life without wasting time, and have an image or dream of what it will be like, but pause and reflect on some of the points that have been made, very carefully.        

Has anyone any experience of the above in France, or know of the best hospital(s) for this procedure?

Thanks for all replies.  Much appreciated.

Thanks for both sets of advice. I think I will give the latter route a try.  Here's hoping we can cover the ground just as quickly as going via Lyon etc.

Thanks again