Nick Trollope

[quote user="Golfclan"]I'm building a 136sq m house in the Var and the planning fee is €5530. Extortionate! [/quote] Is it? Surely you knew about the cost before you started building so how is it extortion? BTW the OP asked for application costs (as in the UK planning application fees, I assumed), which are still zero. As in, if you don't build the building, you don't pay the fee...

[quote user="busybee"] The problem I foresee if we set up as a chambre d'hote, is that we will be limited to that aspect of the business, and will not be able to work as an artist or photographer in addition. I can see that there are a number of other people running residential courses and activity holidays over here in one form or another, but it is impossible to tell how they have set up their business structure (if indeed they have...) - so if anyone else is actually doing this I would love to hear from them.   Can you clarify, if we set up a SARL or EURL, can we define the business to include providing residential courses AND photography, graphic design etc.? I did think that as a conjoint collabarateur that you could do the work, but wouldn't get paid for it, so thanks for that clarification. Regards, busybee [/quote] You can register to do as whatever you can register to do, if you see what I mean. The limiting factor is usually that which you are qualified to do. Eg. I doubt if you could set yourself up as a "teacher" without being qualified or experienced. If (as I assume you are) you/he are/is a qualified photography teacher then you/he/both would register as a ch d'h and a teacher, etc. Don''t confuse registration with company structure. You choose and register as what you want to do (with the appropriate "chambre", probably commerce in your case although you may be required to register with more than one, if you cross disciplines), then, with the aid of your accountant choose the appropriate structure - SARL (a limited company), EURL (an individual with limited liabilities - wouldn't suit you as a partnership), EI, etc etc... Although in practice this is done all at once (and by your accountant!). I'll stick to my point about a CC not being allowed to do anything more than paperwork, despite the assertion of others! Check with the Ch de Comm...

Dunno. I registered with the Ch de M and we were told that Tina could not do anything other than paperwork, for a maximum 16 hrs a week. The reason for doing it is to allow the CC to earn pension entitlement etc in his/her own right, at no additional cost. Tina subsequently registered as a commercant with the Ch de Comm and had to be removed from my registration.

Grey. Which just about sums up the UK. Nice piccy though.

Businesses are usually sold by Notaires and/or specialist estate agents. Try them? Or the local paper. What are you looking for, and where?

Welcome. I'll give this one a go, although there are those who are better qualified... I reckon that, and assuming that this is your primary source of income, then you will primarily be a chambre d'hote and you (between you) mmust register as such. As an art "teacher" I don't think that you can claim to be an artist (with all the associated benefits), as the regs are very strict (must have exhibitions, sell so much work, etc etc). CdH are limited to 5 letting rooms, after that you are a Hotel or Auberge or similar with all the associated bearocratic bruhaha. You can provide meals, but only to guests and you can't sell booze unless you get a licence (class III?), Speak to your local Douanes regarding this. You can use whatever structure you like for the business. I would be guided by my accountant. As the conjoint to an EI (you can't be conjoint to an EURL), you would not be allowed to do any of the actual work of the business, other than paperwork. I doubt if this would suit you. You have made the correct first descision in talking to an accountant and the Ch de Comm!

Added to which, wood grain PVC windows still look like white PVC windows covered in Fablon (or "sticky-back plastic" if you are a certain age...). Hideous at best. No prospect of getting permission for them around here, either.

[quote user="chocccie"]Does anybody know what the cost is in 87? Also, does this cost apply to a whole project or is it per building to be renovated. The rule applying to needing an architect for buildings over so many sq metres of space ... is this per building, or per project.  ie if I have two or three buildings each under the limit, can they be put in together for permission.  [/quote] Application costs are nil. 170SqM rule applies to the whole of the finished building. If you have 3 seperate buildings, they will require 3 seperate applications, regardless of the size, unless you plan to combine them.

Given that this is a French forum; French plasterboard should only be used with the "white" (tapered) side out. You will not find much (if any) straight-edged board here. This surface will take most things, if treated appropriately first (sous-couche for paint, etc). I've only seen placo skimmed once and the plasterer (an incompetent Brit) didn't treat the board with anything. Apart from standard (white) board you will find green (hydrofuge) water resistant baord and (again, rarely) red firestop board. Available in 1200 or 600mm widths, tapered both long sides and 2500mm long. BA13 is 13mm thick, if you search/special order you will find 10mm board. If you want it thicker, double up! I've never come across a noise-stop board (apart from those with rockwool glued to the back).

[quote user="SteveTheLight"] I have to admit, I'm wiring a French house without the "proper" French qualifications and perhaps we will one day be discussing this over a  bowl of porridge[:)] , Incidentally,  the test for a safe installation should be a visual inspection and test using an electronic test instrument - not a human one[;-)] .  [/quote] Here at least, you have the right to do this - and long may it continue (assuming that it is your own house!), so you won't be joining him in clink.

[quote user="groslard"]I would never gamble willingly  on such things as Stocks and Shares, and have never had any capital.   That was my point about the difference. [/quote] I take your point, but you were/are willing to gamble on the currency markets. Noone forced you to receive your pension in Euros (out of necessity, I appreciate), that was your choice and you didn't expect the rate to stay put. I have every sympathy with your plight and I can't offer any relief, I'm afraid - we are not, IMHO, going to see the heady rates of a couple of years ago for the foreseeable future. My original point was that the currect rate is not necessarily bad news for everyone!

I have to make the point (again) that when the Euro was launched, the £ was set at 1€40. It is about 2% lower than that today. Hardly a "crash". If anyone was daft enough to believe that the £ would stay at the 1.50-1.60 level then they only have themselves to blame, I'm afraid to say. One wouldn't put all of your pension on the stockmarket without taking professional advice, would you? Why do it on the currency market?

Sorry to add to the confusion, but you are not comparing like for like. Micro and reel are taxation regimes, EURL (EI, SARL etc) are company types. I suppose, you could be a micro SARL or (like me) an EI under systeme reel. (I haven't put the accent in because I can't remember where it goes....)

It will run from the test (pass) date. I presume that you want to do it now because the CT will be more rigid (allegedly)/more expensive on 1/1.

I can "do" a 9M span in a single go, if you would care to PM me...

Nothing (Paypal etc) would be as cheap as that. BTW, we pay 7€ + 0.86% with Cred Ag.

[quote user="Sans Souci"] Is there any legal requirement for the Notaire provide informationm to the sellers and to transfer our funds within a given time period [/quote] No. There is a requirement for him/her to pay you, but you are the last recipient in a potentially significant list! [quote user="Sans Souci"] Does the Notaire pay interest on any funds that he is holding (400,000 euros) [/quote] No. The money is being held by the Tresor Public, who are not allowed (by law) to pay/earn interest. [quote user="Sans Souci"] Should the Notaire hold the total amount while waiting for a 20,000 euro facture. [/quote] Yes, he can (and obviously is!) [quote user="Sans Souci"] Should I be worried. [/quote] I think that your choice of a user name answers your question! As an aside, Notaires are notoriously bad at responding to emails and letters. I always deal with mine by telephone...

No it isn't, nor is it particularly safe. Obviously, the person who did the original wiring did not know what he was doing! I would either replace the existing wiring, change the colours with some insulating tape, stuff a note behind the wiring or remember it!

I doubt it. Their Ts&Cs probably state that in the event of a non-arrival, then they are entitled to 1 nights charges at the standard rate (being 110€). Perfectly reasonable, I'd say.

Will must have better things to do....; No, you do not need to fill in a French tax return.

This used to work (long ago) (the box assumed that the line was busy),  as did putting rubbish in the "dial this number to get an outside line" parameter. But, your card had to be enabled to view PPV movies and you needed a sub. I doubt if it works now .....  

The fascinating thing (to a student of the human condition, such as myself) is that most of the comments about that article (attached to the article) are pro-legislation, and from English-speaking contributors. Are "people" really that anti-eBay?

[quote user="Sunday Driver"]"......they can be found on AngloInfo...." Please - let's not go there!  [:P]   [/quote] But you do all the time SD!

From my docs from EDF. I will have to point out their error to them! Buggers.

You can buy a master (test) socket, but only (AFAIAA) from "professional" suppliers. The mandatory RC network comes separately... As far as lightning protectors are concerned, you must fit one if you are in a department where they are compulsory (and that includes Lot-et-Garonne). I know that "pros" are allowed to make changes to FT lines, I'm not sure about individuals - then again, if you fit decent quality devices without climbing the pole outside your house, who is to know? They are available from the same sources as the test sockets. But, you don't actually need a master socket (as you do in the UK - which couples in the 3rd, ringing wire), as France uses a 2-wire system. But thene again, you are/were a comms engineer (yes?), so I am probably teaching me gran.....