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Hereford

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Everything posted by Hereford

  1. We are going to a funeral tomorrow (monday) morning. We did not know the deceased at all but his Dad is our "ancien maire" and a nice old boy so we want to support the family. Please:  What is the French equivalent of "we are sorry for your loss" ?  But not exactly that as I would never say it in English - too trite for words.  We have never been to a French funeral before and want to do the right thing. Chap only died last Thursday.and we got the note round yesterday so too late to go to the undertakers to sign the book - will it be at the church too? Many thanks to anyone who can help us "do the right thing". Mrs H
  2. No offence taken at all.  We too know people, though, who took a French mortgage and had a terrible experience when they got short of money and the exchange rate changed.  Things happen in life - redundancy, ill health etc. and having money owing abroad would add to the stress.
  3. New Life:  You obviously understand the risks so that is fine.  Good luck.
  4. We have no idea of mortgage companies but would be very wary of having a mortgage in a foreign currency (i.e. euros) if all income is in UK pounds. You will need to be sure to send enough money each month to cover repayments regardless of exchange rate. If you must have a mortgage it would be better, if that is possible, to get one in the UK - perhaps on a house you own there. We speak as accountants!! H.
  5. Try speaking to the Foreign office - if it really is an emergency they may be able to send something in the diplomatic bag  - we have heard of this.
  6. We have decided that we will go and ask the Mr Le Maire on Friday.  We really hope it is not an annual fee as FIL lives in the next village along (same local canton) - his is a very new fosse and complies totally with current norms so he was furious to be charged at all for the inspection! Thanks anyway - seems that it is not the same everywhere H.
  7. Thanks Sid. No the bill we have had is just for the inspection - we pay a contractor for the emptying.  We feel that the invoice is incorrect as the inspection took about 15 minutes and we have paid once ! H.
  8. Our SPANC (fosse) inspection was done months ago. We had a bill and paid it.  We have now received an identical bill. Does anyone know if this charge 48 odd euros plus tva, is an annual charge or are they just getting the records in a muddle.  Thanks a lot. H.
  9. One problem with getting a farmer to do it would be that when SPANC paid their visit to check our fosse they wanted to see the receipt for emptying.
  10. Looks like an advert in disguise - Mods ??
  11. Many thanks, have written this down.  The only time we had a problem we spoke to the ordinary line on our phone bill but this will be a useful back-up.
  12. Are we right in thinking that this English helpline number is for use only by those who live in the 05 telephone area?  Does anyone know of numbers for anywhere else, please, as this seems a useful service.
  13. Surely the house is already insured by the present owner? When we bought (a shell - definitely not habitable) we just carried on with the existing insurer for a year.
  14. Also ask your Maire where the nearest Restos du Coeur distribution is.  You should be able to register to get food for the whole family from the start of December, 
  15. Well we are not your area 5-element, but we are both volunteers with Restos du Coeur.  We think they are a brilliant charity.  In our area the banque alimentaire operate in the summer when we don't so we are just gearing up for the new start. It does help our French - none of the other volunteers speak English - and when we first started caused amusement amongst the "customers".  There have been English customers too... So, Yes go for it if you want to help out.  We have chosen to live in France so should contribute as we would  (and we did) in the UK. Mrs H
  16. Yesterday afternoon Carrefour Market in Mortain was completely out of fuel but another garage near the cascades had some. We did not need any so did not buy or notice the price. H.
  17. We have just used HiFX to send some money to France and they make it clear that the money (to them) must come from an account in your name, and not a third party,  so presumably they do not accept money from a Notaire.
  18. You're a star Will.  Many thanks indeed.  Will download and print for my Dad. Mrs H
  19. Could someone very kindly provide links to the forms we need to sell a (French reg) car. I think you need a form to say car is free of finance etc and also the actual "sale" form.  Very many thanks, I have tried "search" but only one link and it does not seem to work! Mrs H
  20. Are you  sure it (partnership income) would be taxed in the UK as if it was just the same as your income now? Could it not be said to be "property" income once you have retired?  We would suggest a word with your UK accountant on this point first. H.
  21. We are getting the odd one  down the chimney, although we cannot see them going in and out.  When ours come out into the room they are mostly "dozy".  We have found the easiest way to kill them is with an "electric" (i.e.battery) fly bat.  When they settle just put it near them and then move until it touches them, press the button and voila electrocuted - you get sparks ! H. PS Pompiers will not come out around us in Manche, but local firm charge 70 euros.
  22. Clafoutis is good with plums of any kind. mrs H
  23. Thanks for the links to past posts. I cannot find therein the reference to a wwoof employer being fined though ! H.
  24. Richard51:  Could you post a link or whatever to the report on wwoof employer being fined? Or if not tell us when it was and whereabouts in France please?  We have a farmer friend who has had a "woofer" and we wonder whether he knows this is illegal. Many thanks H.,
  25. The FD5 is usually sent direct to the UK by the French impot people. Certainly the UK need the original. You may find it hard to get your interest gross from the UK! The vast majority of the banks and building societies do not accept the correct form (sorry I can't remember the number) and will only accept the form for saying "I am not a taxpayer" - which is not the right one if you pay tax in France.  I had this confirmed to me some years ago by the UK tax office(I am an accountant) and I don't think it has changed.  No-one seems to know the reason for this  - just that the banks can't be bothered probably. I once had a bizarre conversation with a bank employee who told me that they did not deduct the tax from the interest the tax office did ... er If your bank is one of the culprits you will have to claim the tax back each year from the UK. Mrs H
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