PaulT
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Posts posted by PaulT
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Thanks for the replies and the weblink - identified what boiler it is - shame they did not put any installation info on there.
Cat, how girly do you think I felt - it is white and yellow!
Obviously, I am hoping that it is air and that is the first thing that I will do when we arrive at the house at midnight on Thursday.
I will also check the settings but, apart from changing the temps nothing else has been changed since last winter.
I was also trying to gen up a bit on the inside of the boiler to locate the pump quickly.
Many thanks
Paul
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Sorry that this is vague.......
Did some work on the heating system when we were over in September and when I had finished it was working. Some friends went over a couple of weeks ago and whilst the boiler was heating the domestic water the rad nearest the boiler got warm but those further were not. so my thoughts are the pump. Unfortunately, I do not have any paperwork to do with the boiler in the UK so thought I would ask a few questions here so I know what to do to get at the pump etc. (over this weekend)
Do not know what model it is but - it is a Deitrich boiler about 1.6m / 5' tall 0.6m/2' wide and 1m/3' deep and yellow and white in colour. At the front at the top (which slopes) is a flap and under here on the left is the control for temp of the hot water and on the right the control for the temp of the heating. The temp shows as red leds.
If anyone recognises it where is the pump and how do you get to it.
Thanks
Paul
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[quote user="BJSLIV"]
Therefore, as this was what was believed on 1st Jan should a bill have been issued to the new owners (us) who took over the house on the 26th Jan.
As has already been said, the Tax D'hab bill should only be issued to the owner as at 1/1/2007. As that wasn't you, you should return it to the authorities with evidence of the date of the property transfer.
[/quote]
I will give up on this - perhaps I should have worded the question in a different way - something along the lines of if taxe d'habitation was deemed not payable on the 1st Jan is it applied if the property is in a situation during the year, i.e. after 1st Jan, that it falls within the scope of tax d'habitation.
Paul
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[quote user="P3"]
This is really only of acaedemic interest to us but.....
We completed on our French house on the 26th January this year. The previous owners had never paid this tax during their ownership - even though it was furnished and used as a maison secondaire.
I had been led to believe that if a house was not calssified as paying tax d'hab on the 1st Jan then there was none to pay that year.
However, just had the bill arrive for the collosal sum of 260 euros [:-))] plus 116 for the TV.
Thanks
Paul
[/quote]
Thanks for the replies which did not answer my question......
Perhaps some background. At the signing of the Acte it was stated (and had already been confirmed to us at the 'looking stage') that in 6 years of ownership the previous owners had never paid taxe d'habitation. However, taxe fonciere was raised and on the basis that it was only 26 days into the taxe year we said that we would pay the whole bill - seemed a little petty to apportion the bill - which we have done. If the PO had been paying taxe d'hab then we would have done the same thing - and as they had the place furnished, including TVs and used the place then they should have been paying. I have no problem with paying this bill - we have the place furnished, with TV and use the place.
In essence, according to the authorities, which can be the only interpretation, the place was not furnished and therefore no taxe d'hab payable. Therefore, as this was what was believed on 1st Jan should a bill have been issued to the new owners (us) who took over the house on the 26th Jan.
Paul
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I did use Currencies Direct for both the deposit and final payment.
The final payment I was phoning around for the best rate and has www.4xcc.co.uk on screen with their rates.
Currency Direct quoted a rate and I obviously sounded uninterested. I was asked if I was just researching or going to buy. I said that I was buying that day and quoted the 4xcc rate. Just a minute and the chap came back with a far better rate.
The moral - haggle
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From comments we had from some agents it would seem that in the summer months they view the British as passing the time by looking at houses. They seem fairly fed up about that. Outside of the summer season then you are looked at as serious buyers.
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What a fool you are Lollie [:D].
I dare say Mr O'Leary has staff monitoring forums like these for ideas on how to increase charges and you have just handed him one. Now people with a no show will probably have to pay for one of those awful smelling pizzas, a scratchcard and a drink to counteract what they might lose on the flight.
Paul
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Brings back memories of when I was involved in a Rover club. An member who was British but had lived for many years in Australia decided that he wanted to return to the UK and bring back his Rover that he had bought in Australia. He contacted the British Embassy who told him that he could provided it had an 'E' sticker. His did not. However, I had a couple of spares (could be bought for 4p from dealers) so I sent him one. He put it on the car and it came in to the UK without any problems.
Now France I think would have been a different kettle of fish.
Paul
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Do not pay any more than specified in the Compris.
As far as I am aware, if the seller has signed (and there is no cooling off period for the seller) then they are legally committed to the sale.
Any problems are between the agent and seller.
If signing the Acte is very soon then perhaps you do need to transfer the money to the Notaire so that you have met all your obligations.
Paul
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Coops seems to be doing an excellent job of pulling things together – thanks for that.
Still trying to wade through all 41 pages of the lengthy discussion on health here, some of which does not seem to add anything.
Found the thread re action last night cannot find it today hence this thread.
Firstly, we are in the fortunate position of not having taken early retirement yet. Only discovered about these changes yesterday hence somewhat concerned that our financial model if severely dented. So whilst it might affect our plans I feel very sorry for those who already have and are facing the possibility of needing private insurance but cannot afford it or have existing medical conditions.
In some postings
Perhaps some Brits do not exactly endear themselves to the local population by not registering their cars in France merely continuing to drive on UK registration plates – the locals must know that if they are hit by one of these there will be no insurance and whilst they are having to have their car CT’d the Brits do not do a thing.
Excellent that some MEPs are taking up the case and I will be writing to them and to other MPs.
One thought did strike me is that,
I believe it is a noble thing to take in people fleeing from a repressive regime – but perhaps when the regime changes they should go back.
However, economic migrants are another thing. What is the cost to the NHS (let’s forget other benefits) to those coming in? Plus how effective is the NHS in collecting costs from those who should pay? A FOI request might be useful to establish facts. But would a change as the French are bringing in save
Politically how would this stand up?
Labour – trying to control costs, this could be of interest if it reduced costs. This might be the case if the number of immigrants from the new eastern countries who have joined the EC is anything to go by.
Conservatives – well there are Euro sceptics there so this could be sold on providing better services for the existing population and the existing population not being penalised by new comers.
UKIP – whilst their aim is to withdraw from the EC, if a financial put off could be created then it should at the least reduce the number of immigrants – they currently want a freeze on immigration.
Liberals – ?
Wondering if this approach would have a better effect than campaigning on the basis that the French changes are not fair to those already living in
I shall now write to the Leaders of the various political parties, as well as my MP and MEPs and also to the Secretary of State for Health.
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Just wondering if not being able to join the French health service, i.e. having to take out private insurance will mean that the 8% social charges will no longer apply - bet I can guess the answer.
Paul
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[quote user="Sprogster"]
Panda, it is unlikely the proposed health care changes are having an impact as the majority of foreign owned private residences in France are second homes, whose owners are non French resident and therefore not effected.
However, what is having a discernable effect is the rise in interest rates and resulting credit squeeze, which is leading to a dramatic rise in borrowing costs for homeowners with mortgages and most second home owners have a mortgage on their primary or secondary property, if not both.
In the above circumstances, if the homeowner finds themselves financially overstretched often the first thing to go is the second home, as that is a luxury not a necessity.
Most of Europe is currently experiencing a much slower property market and in France over the last quarter average house prices have declined slightly for the first time in many years. Most property analysts now expect a correction or slow down in the property market throughout Europe over the next year or two and their opinions only differ by how much.
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Slightly disagree Sprogster. Whilst our home in France is a 2nd home our plans were to take early retirement and move to France. All our calculations were carried out on the way that things were. The cost of full private insurance with existing conditions mean it will probably be unaffordable (without the existing conditions it would severely dent our finances). From some other posters on here their 2nd homes are their intended future main home so this does impact some 2nd home owners.
Paul
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Sorry, but can I ask 'what are the 'health care changes'?
(still resident in the UK)
Paul
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Richard - do not take thier first rate, let them know that you wish to deal and are checking out rates for the best, they may well come back with a far better rate.
Have a look at
http://www.4xcurrency.com/4xcc/live_rates.shtm
as a start.
When we were transferring the balance for our property I phoned a few dealers and also looked at this site, which were giving the best rates. I then phoned Currencies Direct, who I used for the deposit. I was given a rate and did not sound enthusiastic. I was asked if I was just researching rates or looking to trade. I replied that I was looking to trade that day and wanted the best rate. I was asked the best I had achieved so far and quoted the rate from the site above, which was the best rate. Just a minute I was told, we sometimes have large deals going on that we can tag on to (good sales patter eh!). He came back and gave me an excellent rate and the deal was done. I was also happy using them again as the first deal had gone without a hitch. I will add we were transferring quite a bit more than you.
Paul
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[quote user="jc"]You don't have to register-they'll catch up with you-remember the Notaire registers the transaction.but you will need to contact the electricity and water people and possibly telephone.[/quote]
Often this will be part of the service offered by the agent.
Paul
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[quote user="sandy"]
I know that the voltage is different from here so is it wort bringing electrical things over with us ie: washing mashine,kitchen equipment,T.V.
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The voltage is exactly the same. TVS - you need to make sure that the tuner can receive Secam transmissions - most of the modern ones from major manufacturers can.
Paul
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Sorry, have not got the book in front of me but......
Trying to wire the house that we have bought to French standards. I note that certain items should be connected via a type A disjointeur (or is that the devices for the individual circuit breakers).
The book states the type of things to connect via type A as:
ovens and washing machines
would someone be kind enough to provide a more definitive list so that I can connect items correctly - currently only have type AC installed.
Thanks
Paul
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Travelled back on the tunnel (or should that be in) on Saturday. Arrived early and they booked us onto the 20:50 instead of the 22:20. When they showed on the displays that our group could proceed we did (this was prior to any tannoy announcements). Went through passport control, were then directed to a lane at the end of which the barrier was open so we proceeded down on to the platform and directed on to a shuttle, being one of the last on. The shuttle was the 20:20 - they were obviously filling it up.
I understand this is a normal thing when there is still space on a shuttle.
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[quote user="Ford Anglia"]
[quote user="Benjamin"]I sympathise with you Matt C but stop and think why they apply these T & C's.
Just imagine a group of friends getting together and passing the account number and password around between themselves: not what frequent traveller is all about.
The very annoying bit is that someone in authority couldn't have taken a view on this and not charged such a penal fare to someone who had very clearly made a genuine error. After promising progress this year Eurotunnel do not do themselves any good by this type of action.
[/quote]And yet P&O, the original "channel pirates", allow you to make bookings available to anyone you nominate, if bought as a season ticket.........
[/quote]
Surely, companies are entitled to set the terms and conditions they wish (providing they are legal) that is known as choice just as the customer has the choice of choosing with who they travel.
Small print is there for a reason - not just to fill a page.
Paul
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[quote user="ErnieY"]
Handy site but unfortunately these days, on long haul flights at least, the airlines seem to prefer to pre-allocate your seat(s) and you have little say in it.
When we went to NZ a couple of years ago we found this out too late and got stuck with cra**y seats for the outbound trip and no chance to change them. To ensure we got the seat's of our choice for the return we had to actually go to Singapore Airline's office in Auckland to specifically request them.
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Some airlines do pre-allocate seats BUT with some you can register with them and go to their website and change to seats of your choice (providing they have not already been allocated).
Paul
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Last Saturday, travelling back from the Midi-Pyrenees, decided that I would avoid Paris, so routed via Chartres and Rouen up to Calais.
Had the feeling that it tok about the same amount of time as via Paris (unless there were jams in Paris). We kept going for most of the time - just the problems of getting through Chartres and Rouen.
What are peoples views - is it better to take the change and travel the very scenic route through Paris or is the way we went best of, better still, is there a better alternative?
Paul
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Happens in 65 as well.
Last week driving along and a few people flashed me. I said to the OH 'must be a speed check ahead'. Drove a little further and she said 'even more people have flashed you, there must be something wrong with the car pull over'. I duly did as I was told, she got out, inspected the car, could find nothing wrong, so we pulled out and there were the two 'boys in blue' with their speed camera. So a 'told you so' from me.
Paul
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Back in the 70s a colleague went to Butlins and another colleague phoned with an urgent message for Lord Power (Power being his surname). Apparently, there was great excitement by the manager - they actually had a Lord staying with them.
So if anyone wants to have some fun when colleagues go on holiday - and you could always promote them to Duke or something similar.
Paul
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We used the Notaires website to find an English speaking Notaire when we bought our house - his English was excellent and the whole process of the Acte was in English - English vendor and agent and us, English buyers. He only spoke French when translating the English that he had just spoken to the buyers French only speaking Notaire.
Paul
Identify that boiler
in House Renovations
Posted
Thanks for the replies.
Will admit I have not taken to much notice of the boiler installation - there when we bought the house. Cannot remember seeing a pump so thought it might be internal.
If it is inside the hydraulic module would it be the same as a common or garden UK pump? If so I could buy one here and take it with me so that I do it straight away.
And I do need to rig up a timer so that it runs for a few minutes each week just so that the pump does not get stuck when we are not there especially when the frost stat says it is a bit cold it is then you want everything to work.
Glad to know they are good boilers - have to admit I have never seen them in the UK and as they do not seem to have a UK distributor presume that they do not sell them in the UK.
Paul