mickey jim

Thanks for that.  I'd noted the K9 bit, but assume there'd be one for cats too? 

I know someone that lives next to a farmer who had a purpose built barn erected last autumn for veal.  They most definitely do not run around at their will but apparently are in tiny areas, where they cannot move.  What's worse is the stentch was awful during July and August - not sure if they weren't cleaned out or there was another problem.  So not sure how they have got around the new law, but they have...

It sounds as if that could be it, it's the closest we've been yet.  Obviously my ears weren't up to it over a crowded restaurant!!  I'll try and seek some out...  Thanks PG

We have been overrun with them too - the pharmacist said it's a bad year for them (phew).  We've had pets for 15 years and never before have I found them jumping on my legs as I enter a room!!  We've had lots of guests over this summer and I've spent a fortune on sprays to kill the little blighters...  I bumped into a lady the other day (on the next table to me a lunch) and she mentioned she used something called 'Antic'.  The lady was German and she said she bought it there, but I can't find anything resembling that name anywhere here - has anyone else heard of it??  She said it was brilliant.

Hi We live near Nontron, so we're probably not far away from you Louise.  I had problems again yesterday, but it seems ok today.  

Hi louweezel I have just come on to the forum to ask exactly the same question!  Since Sunday I have experienced all sorts of problems trying to get on to ADSL.  It seems that for long periods of time (few hours) I can't get on to the Wandoo webpage - has anyone got any ideas what's going on??

We had a storm close by the other night which has broken our two phones.  I've borrowed a phone from our neighbour, but each time I try and introduce one of the storm damaged phones I can no longer get any phone to work all, including ADSL, so it looks as if they are only good for the poubelle!!. Luckily we had unplugged the TV, computer etc but didn't think about the phone.  With the storm season approaching, is there anything we can buy that will protect our new phones from being damaged too?  Or do we have to unplug every phone everytime we leave the house just in case there's going to be a storm.  This is our second year of living in France, and until now, we haven't had any problems with the phones after a storm, and we've had some overhead which have knocked the electric out completely (trip switch) - but this didn't happen this time. Any ideas? Thanks

The Accountant mentioned that there were two ways of setting it up; either set up another business (as adding my salary on to my husband's figures may take him over the threshold), or use the 'pay slip system' whereby I get paid gross from the UK, fill in a french pay slip and pay tax monthly, to avoid having to pay out once a year.  The accountant didn't elaborate on the system, and as I say, I'm waiting for some more info on it.  I've mentioned this to a number of people and they've never heard of it before.  They've all said the same as you, either set up a new business (and pay the extra social charges) or add the salary onto my husband's business (which means only paying 46% social charges on the 48% profit of a Micro Bic - I think!)... I think I'm talking myself into either not earning more than 27K for the two of us or me not working at all !!!!

Hi I wonder if anyone can help.  I've been offered a job by a company in the UK, working from my home in France.  I can get paid Gross in the UK and claim it on my French Tax Declaration form to ensure that my taxes are paid in France.  However, I can't seem to find out from anyone roughly what percentage of tax I will pay and will I pay Social Charges.  My husband already has a business in France (Micro Bic) so we are both covered by the social charges incurred from that. I've spoken to both the French Tax office and a French Accountant, both of which were going to look into it, but haven't come back to me yet (I appreciate it's a very busy time for both of them), so, in the meantime, I wondered if anyone else is in this situation and what I'm likely to pay (I'll only be earning about 10K Euros a year). Thanks Val

I'm in a similar situation; I live full time in France, but I have been offered some part-time work with my ex boss in the UK.  I'd looked at the route of setting up a business in the UK but have been advised that this is not a good idea, for the reasons already mentioned in the postings above.  My Accountant (UK) has advised that I get employed by the UK company and pay tax/social charges in the UK.  My husband already has a Micro Enterprise in France so I'm covered 'socially' by him pay his cotisations. So, my question is, does anyone know whether getting paid and paying taxes in the UK, means that I will get clobbard in France too (ie paying tax etc twice)? Or can I just declare it on our French tax return form stating that I've already paid tax and everyone's happy??. 

Hi We are hoping to have this installed, so I asked the same question a while ago.  I think the responses are on page 5 of this section (house renovations), started by me.  Hope this helps.  It sounds really good and we can't wait to get the company out to talk to them about it.  Good Luck.mickey jim.

Brian Thanks for answering all our queries.  It's reassuring to get this sort of feedback.  Can I ask a couple of other brief questions: I've read that there's a possibility for getting a grant for installing Geothermal Heating - did your installers mention anything about this?  If not, it still sounds cheaper than going the conventional route.  I personally really like underfloor heating however, we are moving into an old house, so unfortunately I don't think we'll be able to have underfloor heating upstairs, so will have to go for radiators.  But will definitely have underfloor heating downstairs. Did you need planning permission/advise anyone that you were installing this type of heating ie digging up half the garden? We look forward to going the Geothermal route too!! Thanks once again Mickey jim

Brian This is really useful info, thanks for being so descriptive.  I also am interested to know whether the price you paid included everything (inside and out) or just the Geothermal external part.  

We are thinking of installing Geothermal Heating instead of a conventional Oil/Gas boiler.  We have the outside space for the 'Capteurs' and it all sounds straightforward/cost effective from the brochures (!), but does anyone have their own experiences of this method (or heard from other people), if so, it would be good to hear your comments. Thanks.

I agree with you.  From experience, if a new client sees you have a good image, good machinery, you do a good job, and I feel, very importantly, you are reliable, they will pay a little bit more.  As long as it is not over the top.  My husband did landscaping/gardening in the UK for a number of years and did just that and he wasn't out of work for a day.  I know it's different over here, but you just need to get a good client base and the word will get around quickly that you're legal, reliable etc etc. We're going to the CCI on Thursday with a french speaking friend to sort out starting the business.  The accountant has suggested going the micro-enterprise route - from your experience is this the best option do you think?  We're hoping not to go over the 27K turnover limit. He will just work by himself and won't be employing anyone. Good luck...

We'll find our nearest Bureau and check it out.  When you say they couldn't be bothered to come out to inspect the work, do you mean they didn't inspect the work in progress or did you have to wait ages for them to come out each time? Presumably this applies to whether you do it yourself or get someone to do it for you....

Motorhead - Was it easy to get go ahead to do yourself from the authority? We're still waiting for a quote from a company too, but i think we've decided we're going to do it ourselves.  We will however, have to go for a double/complex filter bed I think as we're about 25-30 metres away from a stream.  Are there any good books or reference guides on what we'll need to do to conform to the new rules or will the person that comes out to test our soil and sign off the work advise us?  (sorry to be naive but we haven't moved in yet, so not sure where to start!).

I wonder if anyone can help. We are in the process of buying a house which currently does not have a telephone connection.  The house is about 1km down a Chemin Rurale with no immediate neighbours.  Our Agent has said he's spoken to France Telecom about the cost of installing the cables to our property, and apparently we won't have to pay for anything that is on a public right of way (ie the Chemin Rurale), we just have to pay for the cable on to our property (about 2 metres to the house) and of course the standard connection fee 55 Euros.  I'm sceptical about this as it seems an awful lot of work as the Chemin runs through the middle of a wood before it gets to our house.  We have been told that we can't speak to France Telecom about it until we are the owners - which is another 2 months away, but I'm getting rather nervous that we'll have an horrendous bill from FT when it comes the the work actually being done.  I'm also worried it will take ages to organise once we're in there, and our mobile phones won't work there either - argh!!! Has anyone else been in this situation or knows what France Telecom's policy is?  Any feedback would be useful. Thanks

Yep, mine is definitely the old Pink EU licence - so it's not illegal.  Although I note your point, there are more pros than cons of switching to a new one. Thanks.

I have heard that the 5 day course at CCI is sometimes in English - is this true?  was yours in French or English?.  We've only been here 3 months and get by in general conversational French, but a long way off understanding 100% in business French!  We know of a number of English builders that only know about 50 French words, so how have they got around that problem (and yes, before you say it, they are all legal!!).  We wen't to the CCI the other day to enquire, and they gave us a telephone number to ring as they couldn't deal with there (Limoges), which we haven't done yet.  Going to the accountant next week, to discuss financial options before ringing the number!

Sorry but I'm getting a bit confused.  I have a Uk paper driving licence (issued 7 years ago).  Can I use this licence in France?  Or do I have to apply for a new EU UK photo licence/card?  We're renting in France at the moment, but are in the process of buying a house here.  We don't have a UK address anymore (although all our post is being redirected through normal channels), so suppose I could give that address to the DVLA to get a new licence if necessary (?).  I don't want to get a French licence, as at the moment we're only planning to stay 5-10 years - but who knows?