supercat

Once you've opening your bank account,  you can save a lot of stress about postage and cheque writing if you pay online.   Get someone French speaking to guide you through it once, take notes, and every payment will be easy after that.    Utilities can also be paid online from anywhere in the world.  The back of your tax bill will give you the website.

CRUST 2 1/2 cups white flour 2 tbsp. sugar 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 cup cold butter, broken into small pieces 5 tbsp. cold vegetable shortening 8 tbsp. ice water FILLING 1/3 to 2/3 cup sugar 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon Pinch of salt 8 medium sized apples (a medium apple = about 1 cup) 2 tablespoons margarine

Sara, when we first arrived, we rented an apartment for six months before buying our property.   This in was a cash arrangement as we did'nt have time to look around for anything else.   Without a formal contract, we had to put down large deposit for a phone line.      Then with the phone contract, and refs from our UK a bank, we could open a bank account.   The phone contract is a proof of residence and was very useful.   

Could it be that Ebay has taken the place of shops?   I've heard about antique / second-hand shops have closed premises and are now trading online.

I used Hertz for a one way car rental.   I don't know if they do vans aswell though.    You hire a car in the UK, then you swap it for a similar French car in Calais, and leave it at your destination.    A bit of a kafuffle repacking it all, but quite a good idea!     

That sounds good.....which bank are you with JC?   Can you bank online? - though I wouldn't want to look a gifthorse in the mouth.

 I am charged 130 Euros pa for a very basic account with no card.    Only payments out are:   - Taxes D'habitation,   Taxes Fonciere   and     the Syndic   ie  3 online transfers per annum only with no other use of the account.        It's no hardship or anything,   I am just exploring the options. I will also trawl the forums to find a bank that charges less than CCF or HSBC as they have just been renamed.      Will also try and get the charges down! I'll post again if the direct payment is acceptable to the trésoreries, it doesn't hurt to ask.   

I'll find out if the Tresor public accepts it or not.   I don't have any other bills  - that's the point!!  and if I can save on the bank charges I will.  Also it's not "at cost", there is still the exchange rate and transfer fee.  

I'll answer my own question, incase anyone is interested..... Yes, you can avoid the French banks, if you don't need them for anything else.   This is what xetrade.com had to say..... "You can indeed send funds to anyone as you mention.  Unfortunately when we make the payment to the beneficiary it will show up as being from Custom House Currency Exchange.  However, you can include a reference in the "payment reference" section of the wire transfer of around 30 characters, which could include your tax number etc.  This would show up with the payment received. I would imagine that this would actually be sufficient for your beneficiary to match the payments but I would strongly recommend that you check with them directly to be sure before initiating the payment. I hope this helps but if you have any further questions, please let us know."  

I live in the UK, and have a flat in France. I make payments to only three recipients - Taxes D'ab.  & Fonc. and my residence company.    Since my French bank charges me so much for the privilege, I am thinking of closing down my account, and paying direct via my money movers (xetrade.com), who transfer my funds. Has anyone else done this?    How do they (the tax office for example) link the payment to you as the person they sent the bill to?     Do they send a receipt?     Can you check online? Thanx!!      

Thanks for the replies.    I haven't had any notification of a fine yet, so hopefully they will overlook the delay this year.        I agree, just like the UK tax office, they are super-duper efficient!!!!! 

It's nice and easy doing it online, but I've noticed last year, that it takes about two weeks for the money to be taken from my bank account.   Is this the same for everyone, or is it just my bank (ccf).   I forgot about this when I paid this year, and it means that the delay takes me past the deadline for taxes fonciere, can anyone tell me if the penalty applies.   I'm sure I'll find out from them in due course, but if anyone knows, it would be useful to know ....Thanks!