virginia.c

you make absolutely the point which is uppermost in my mind.  I simply won't risk an asset at this cost without adequate representation.  I know it will cost me more.   I'd rather it didn't, but sadly that's the way it goes.  Howells and a firm called fox Hayes in Leeds have been recommended to me - they charge the same.  Thanks for pointing out that they were sometimes "passive"  I will make the point to whichever I go with that I need action! Now I've (hopefully) sorted the solicitor bit - and thanks to everyone who has replied.  All I've got to worry about is that I haven't so far been able to get a survey organised!

How do I find this other "thread"?  I'm a relative novice to the Forum and am finding it tricky to navigate.  Doesn't help that I'm a luddite also!   many thanks

You seem to know what you are talking about as regards burners so I thought I'd hit you with an unrelated but sort of relevant question.  I am thinking of buying a property in the Dordogne which has been renovated and holiday let since 2001.  It has electric radiators in all rooms and the water is electric heated also.  Haven't got the brand name of the radiators yet but they look like trendy lozenges on the walls with fine mesh over.  The agent has the same ones in his office and tells us that the cost of electric heating (winter only hopefully) is comparable these days to buying oil or gas in France.  On principle not believing a word he says, is this utter rubbish? There is somesort of of woodburner in the living room and an open chimney in the kitchen which we'd keep stoked up.  We can't afford to put a new boiler and rads in for some time.  We believe the house to be well insulated but there is no double glazing. If you don't know the answers to my questions yourself - do you know anyone who might???? Desperately hoping for some feedback!

I h"ear what you say regarding surveyors.  I was married to one in a previous life and they are a breed apart.  If any English ones who are resident in France do get in touch with me I will at least know how to check them out before asking for their advice.  Of course the building regs in France are different, however, I am no building expert and would be unable to spot potential hazards in the same way as a qualified person.  For example, I showed the pictures to a friend of mine who was able to point out that some damp in a back wall could be cured by the inexpensive digging of a "french drain".  He also asked where the water drained into from a particular shower and basin as it was nowhere near the fosse.  I have known him a long time and trust his opinion but he is a general practice surveyor and has no structural/building qualifiations as such. All I am trying to avoid is buying a house which is about to fall down because I am at the point of being in the cooling off period. Interesting about the earthquakes!  I guess most of the modern French bungalows are at far less risk of falling over in such an event given their lack of height! When you refer to the contract which will be supplied in English and French, at what point did you get your contract?  Certainly the compromis and attached documents I have received are entirely in French 

Thanks very much for this.  I know that the Notaire acts on my behalf, however, as a basic French speaker faced with pages of detailed French legalese I feel more comfortable having my own legal advice in addition to that provided by the Notaire.  Thank you for letting me know that the notaire  will present the certificates to me on completion, that is interesting.  The termite one seems clear, however the energy efficency one needs to be explained and  translated for me so that I can make a judgement as to whether the property meets my requirements or not.   It has electric radiators only and although the seller and the agent assure me they are both adequate and energy efficient I need to understand that report. Any issues here need to be established very early on, ie now.  I know that building/structural surveyors are not recognised in France.  I was hoping to find someone qualified in both who has moved to the Dordogne who (for a fee of course) could look over the property for me.  If I can't find someone in France (which would make things easier) then I will find someone in England and ask them to come out. I will look at the Notaires section as you suggest, I'm sure there are a million and one other things to find out!   Thanks again

Thank you, I'll look them up and give them a call in the morning. Very useful to know what Howell was charging.  £1,500 sounds pretty excessive just to buy.  Don't suppose you know any English qualified Building/Structural surveyors living in the Dordogne?  I'd like someone qualified to at least look at this property for me.  Can't believe I'm planning to buy my main home without any kind of survey!  I know I won't get the full works but I'd like a qualified opinion.

thank you Ernie, I'll look them up.  Don't suppose you know any English qualified Building/Structural Surveyors living in the Dordogne?

Wonder if anyone knows a law firm who can help me purchase a French property?  I've left it rather late to decide I need a solicitor who is English but who works on French property purchases so is completely bi-lingual and au fait with both legal systems.  I'm at the point of having received the signed compromis and various papers re termites and energy efficiency scores.  I have basic but not legal or technical French so need to appoint someone literally tomorrow.  I have seen a firm advertised in a Sunday times publication called the Internation Law Partnership (formerly Europelaw)  main partner seems to be John Howell.  Does anyone have any experience of this firm or have any other recommendations?  Like most of us I don't have an unlimited budget but do need to appoint someone who knows their stuff! Look forward to hearing back from anyone out there who thinks they can help!

Hello Poolguy   I'm going to France Sunday to look at a hamlet property (thinking of buying) which unfortunately doesn't have a garden, just a couple of terraced areas.  Terraces are in levels, built of old stone and walled so very attractive.  I can't imagine a property in France without a pool and fortunately I have never wanted the traditional 10 x 5 or whatever with a bright aqua lining.  In my minds eye I see a rock pool type pool with waterfall coming down from the wall behind, uneven shape and a glass mosaic lining but not bright aqua.  But, can I find anything like this on the net?  no I can't.  Do you know anyone designing and building something like this? Would be grateful for your advice. Many thanks Virginia

Hello John This request for info is not quite on target but I can't find anything else on the forum (it's my first visit) related to the subject I need to research.  In brief my partner is a very enthusiastic motorbiker.  He has a fireblade and a KTM which is an off road trail bike, sometimes known as a dirt bike.  It's pretty powerful and he and his friends go off to Wales regularly where they will cover 100 miles a day off road, on green lanes etc.  We are coming to France end April to stay with friends near Brantome and I was wondering if you could advise how to go about finding out if such a sport exists in France (I'm sure it does) and whether there are any clubs in that area.  Like I said originally, my request isnt really related to your sport except for the love of speed!   Any ideas?  Many thanks Virginia