Nick Trollope

For a general builder, 2650€ per year sounds pretty cheap, I'm afraid. Most I know pay (or are supposed to pay) about 4K€. But, it is available everywhere, so he could a) ask his/your bank b) go down the high street c) use one of the specialist such as PROBTP.  

Thanks indeed for that Clair. Now, as I am in the right, how do I convince them??!!

Does anyone have any idea what I can do, if a tenant (already in situ) will not sign an etat des lieux, will not provide a copy of their insurance docs and will not allow my builder access to do essential repairs? They are quiet and reliable payers of the rent, and I don't want to piss them off (any more than I have already!)  

[quote user="SteveB"] My question is: Is this "legal"? – or am I liable to problems in France if either the police or other authorities stop me, or from the insurance point of view if I have an accident there [/quote] In a word, no. For the following reasons, (there may be others); A vehicle must be registered, if it is in the country for more than 6 months out of 12. Your car must be legal in it's country of registration. A UK car must be insured with a UK company, to be legal in the UK. Your car must be legal to make the insurance valid - AXA are notorious for issuing polices on illegal vehicles. You cannot get UK tax with French insurance. Read the info on the DVLA website. etc etc  

Errr.... Sorry, not a Radio 4 listener then? Truth be told, I've no idea, we've got mains...  

You need to speak to Pat & Tony Archer...  

Yes, if you have it, otherwise use 1,50mm.  

It should have its own feed from the tableau, protected by a 2A breaker. If the hood will accept the cable directly, then that is fine. No external switch necessary.  

Why "kangaroo court"? Anyroadup, if the contract is with the business that he is winding up, then the liquidator will not be too happy with the builder doing the work and the liquidator not getting any of the dosh. Indeed, the liquidator may (will) come after you for the money. All the builder can do legit is to finish your job before he liquidates the business. I'd avoid any under the table jobs, because the authorities will be looking for them - a bit too obvious!  

With a few exceptions, you must be a registered business, regardless of the amount you earn (or even lose). There is no confusion, I'm afraid, that is the situation nd it has long been so. Most "ordinary" folks around here live on the minimum wage, on which they pay (or don't pay) tax. Legally. The point I was trying to make is that your friend is earning more illegally - someone is going to report him, for sure. Yes, he could register as an AE, but he must take advice from one of the charade-playing bodies. Especially as he wants to sell a controlled product, such as wine (which is also illegal without a licence).  

I'm amazed that you can't understand Dogs posting. This "friend" is earning twice anyone on minimum wage does and all "on the black". Surely you/he must realise that you can't do anything without being "legal"?  

Mark you, I don't do geothermal, either (or aero - old technology!!). As I say above, I know plenty of people who pay 4K, but all the "single trade" Artisans that I know pay about the same as me.  

Yes, my "principal activity" is that of electrican, the rest is "renewable energy" - I am not registered as a plumber (I hate it!!!!), I actually sub that to another EI (who pays about the same as me). Perfectly legal - I have been doing it long enough! I hope that you are not suggesting that I am not insured, because I have got it cheaper than you....???!!! It may be a regional thing - I know that "general builders" around here pay about 4K€, but most of the electricians/plumbers that I know pay about the same as me. Or, of course, I may be a better negotiator than you.....    

I've emailed you!  

[quote user="vida "]Thanks everyone.  Out of interest Nick, how much is your decennal.  I was told around the figure of 2,000E.  Does this sound about right?[/quote] About 700€ for the electrics, the rest adds about 250€.  (Groupama) Noone (that I can find) does decennale for alarms/CCTV.  

I sold a plot to the obvious candidates - the people whose house is next door. Took 10 mins and they even provided the Pastis. No fees! It is just a matter of selling....  

Nick has already given the OP his dubiously useful guidance by PM. Just to reinforce the point about decennale, it is a legal requirement (I can't find the statute, but it is) and if you can't afford it, then tough, you are in the wrong business... True, many Artisans don't have it, but it don't make it legal. Almost always, liability and dec are sold as a package (you can't get one without the other), so they are probably being a bit daft..... You can't sub-contract for a registered Artisan (and "use" his insurance), but you could be employed by them - with all that implies. I know I keep going on about it, but in France (just like Spain, Germany, and most of the EU & the US/Canada - except the UK), the building trade is heavily regulated and all tradsmen must be registered and insured. No legal bypasses of the system available - believe me, I have tried!  

Perhaps more important is the effect that the existance of your French property has on other benefits, such as housing benefit - which is of real value.  

[quote user="Le Plombier"] It is true the siret will cover the only one activity [/quote] Did you mean to say "It is true that the SIRET checking sites will cover one one activity"? If not, I still don't understand!  

[quote user="Le Plombier"] It is true the siret will cover the only one activity [/quote] I don't understand that. My "carte d'identification" issued by the Ch de Met in Dinan carries my SIRET number and the list of activities for which I am registered (including one - video thermography - that is covered by the Ch de Commerce) presumeably "under" my one SIRET number. As does my insurance certificate (except that for which I don't need insurance - thermography).  

The only accurate check is to look at his registration card AND his insurance docs. Both list exactly what he is entitled to do.  

1. If his registration says he can (look at his K-Bis) and he is insured (look at his insurance docs) then yes. 2. Dunno. Isn't this for SARLs etc?  

If you currently (ah ah aha) have a supply (an account and a meter), then you will not need a CONSUEL to make any changes after the meter. If, for example yopu are undertaking a total renovation and you want the meter moved (eg.) then EDF may insist on a CofC.  

Possibly - the TH is set on some notional rental value. Unlikely, IMHO, however.  

[quote user="martin"]It's a full renovation and will need a new supply so Consuel is a definite.[/quote] Yes, most probably. Expensive and somewhat pointless in these days of WiFi and wireless telephones.