BQF

The notaire handling the purchase of my house signed the Acte de Vente for me (as I couldn't be there in person).  I have received an 'attestation of change of ownership' but have been told that the Final Acte will be sent later in the year......is this fairly standard if you give the notaire power of attorney?

Having completed the purchase of a house in Orne on the 12th of this month, I have my first water bill.  €60 - for one month!  This seems colossal - I have a one bedroom detached cottage, and have only been there for a week. Is this reasonable?  Is water much more expensive in France?  My first electricity bill was only €25.......  

Anyone used a good one of the above in Dept 61 or surrounding areas?  I have received a quote for some building work which I feel is a little 'toppy'. Thanks

Cheaper solution, and far easier: Buy a petrol mower on eBay - £60 max. Problem solved    

Not a single card from the UK works in auto petrol pumps (like in Intermarche etc) either - Visa, Switch/Maestro, Visa Delta, Amex - you name it.  The bank holiday before last it caused a few problems, namely a game of 'will the diesel in the van last until Calais', which is never my favourite game........   You need a Carte Bleue - protectionism, thats what I call it etc etc etc

I wondered when someone would post something about this!!  I was in the restaurant when the 'Normandie' listed over - I couldn't believe the reaction of some of the passengers, which was nothing short of absolute hysteria - it really didn't help the situation to have so many people screaming and running round the place, although I must admit I did think that the explanation of 'technical problem' was a bit lightweight. It seemed a serious problem to me - the ship banked so hard I thought we were trying to avoid a collision - if it was a computer failure they need to sort that out as in rougher seas it could have been a real disaster rather than a 'technical problem'......I thought the Normandie had been sold to DFDS anyway - when is it being dcecommissioned???? Let me know if you get any compensation....I'll certainly send off a letter to complain in that case!     

Signing the Compromis......a successful trip! Thanks for the info - looks like a lovely village, even through eyes frozen with the cold!!!

[quote user="Will the Conqueror"] "Do I really need independent legal advice?..." Most people who feel they have to ask that question probably do need independent legal advice, to put their minds at rest, otherwise they will be worried throughout the process that somebody (but never the lawyer of course) is taking them for a ride. Those who are able to accept that in the vast majority of house sales in France nobody is out to con you, and any illegalities will be picked up by the notaire - who is an independent official acting for the government rather than a lawyer appointed by the seller - manage perfectly well on their own, with the help of the agent (who, in most of France, is working primarily for you, the buyer, because you pay the fees). Of course, there is a small risk involved. Most people readily accept that.  [/quote] It's not so much being taken for a ride I am concerned about, but more any areas that the Notaire would not look at that an independent solicitor might do.  Consensus seems to be that there isn't much that could fall between the cracks, so I will save the cash and put it towards my loft conversion!! Thanks all for the advice though.    

hifx.co.uk - fix the rate 12 months in advance, no charges at all (even at the receiving bank) - it's all built into the rate.   Ideal for <£500 monthly transfers

Hello I am buying a house (in 61) through an english agent, which has been owned for a long time by an English couple.  I have inspected the house pretty carefully and I'm not sure a survey would add much value - work needs to be done but I know this already. I have a french colleague who can help me translatre the Compromis, and I have no inheritance or tax issues - its a second home and I am happy for my only son to inherit the house if I pop my clogs. Do I really need to spend £1,000 on a lawyer in the UK?  What value will they add?  I have all the finances in place, in Euros, can be there to sign the Acte de Vente etc - what value would they add? Anyone else gone it alone - any 'war stories' to make me think twice about going it alone?      

Is there anyone here who works in the Uk but lives permanently in France? If so - how does it work for you - is it prohibitively expesnive to do?

I'm looking to plough some money into a holiday home in one of the two regions above. Quick question - is the Limousin still the cheapest region in France? Eventually, I'd like to move out there and 'super-commute'. is there anyone around who lives in either area?