patchworks101

Thanks to both SD and Ron (looking at the forums you two must be the most prolific at helping others). I've printed your advice out for future reference as well. Thanks again. Bob B

 Hi and thanks for this. We are moving into our "maison secondaire" and will, likely, be there for several months before we find what we're looking for and the purchase goes through. It's good to know that we then can have upto 2 years to sell the old house and won't have to rush it. We can only hope the taxman looks kindly on us as we've already had the house for 3.5 years [:$] Bob B

Hi Will check out the ads (hadn't looked for container transit in there yet) We are just up the road from Les Romans (our favourite eatery) so may have bumped into each other there or the HyperU [:)] Bob B

Hi Athene We should be moving end of July and have been told that we'll probably need a 40 foot container. Do you mind me asking whether you've sorted out your actual transport costs yet? Bob B

Hi We paid £390 for 10 x crossings on the tunnel. I know that we're restricted by what times we can travel (before 1330 from France and after 1500 from UK) but the fare is the same no matter how long we are away for or the time of year (including holiday periods and bank holidays). If we turn up early, and there is a slot available then we've always been given that at no cost. Bob B

Hi, this might sound an unusual question but I'm sure somebody must have experienced it before. I have a house in France and am moving there permanently in a couple of months. I will register as a resident and french tax payer etc. However, we do not intend for that house to be our permanent residence and will then be looking for a larger property to be our home. The question I have is - we will be selling our current house (principle residence) at the same time as looking for a new one. If we find the 'dream home', but have not yet sold our current one, will we be liable to CGT on the eventual sale as it will then, technically, be a second home? I know I can put a clause supensive on our purchase contract but have been told that a number of immobiliers (particularly those that are part of large chains) do not like/will not accept it. Has anyone gone through this already and got any suggestions please. Thanks Bob B (I tried the search tool but unfortunately the search tool only takes you to the main forum heading that contains a thread but not to any thread that might contain the answer)

I'll join. I only joined the forums today (but been looking previously) and always been amazed at how much time and effort SD takes to help others (even if they ask dumb question slike me, or is it questions like dumb me?) [geek] Bob B

Hi, and before anyone shouts at me I have carried out a search but could not find an answer so, here goes ... We have a house in Montmorillon which we use for holidays. However, we have decided to sell up in the UK, now that the grandchildren have started school, and settle in France. We want to have all our furniture etc either stored and then shipped to France or shipped and stored in France whilst we look for a bigger, permanent home. Then we want everything delivered to the new address. We have been advised that the best way is to have a container (40 foot as we are moving from a 4 bed house) rather than a removal firm and warehouse. However, has anyone had any experience, good or bad, of arranging this or could recommend any companies that would be able to do this (we don't want to be left with all our belongings lost in some storage area never to be seen again [:(]) If anyone had some advice or help it would be fantastic. Thanks in anticipation. Bob B

    SD - what a star you are. Not only a comprehensive answer to the originator (another newbie like me) but links to some very useful sites (managed to get a set of headlights for £99 - result!) Keep up the good work, we newbies rely on people like you and Ron who have already been there, done it and got the T shirt

    Hi Has anyone managed to get their pension (mine's from the council) paid direct from the pension office into their French bank account rather than into a UK account and then having to transfer via xe.com etc? If so how do you know what rate to put on your tax form? Finally, my council only sends out a 'pay advice' quarterly - May, August, November and February so how can I tell the French tax authorities what my pension was (UK tax paid) for the calendar year rather than the UK fiscal year. Sorry it's so long but we are planning to move there permanently in a couple of months and am trying to get things sorted whilst I have confirmed access to the internet for advice from your good selves. Bob B