PaulT
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Posts posted by PaulT
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Nick
Many thanks
Paul
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Thanks Ernie
I will take it as Gospel that what SD has written is fact (and not quibble, disagree etc as some do).
I do not believe that the trailer I have was ever sold in France so shall not bother attempting to register it.
Paul
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Thanks SoftyCrofty it gives a whole new meaning to the book - i.e. to be able to fully understand it.
Paul
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I have a trailer in the UK that has a plate saying 'capacity 500kg'. Does this mean that it has to be separately registered or is it only over 500kg
Paul
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Little story....
Booking on Eurotunnel on the 7th. On the 25 August the automatic gearbox decided that it would occassionally slip in 2nd speed. Still drivable but for how long. Visit to a gearbox specialist the outcome, needs a rebuild. They, nor could any one else turn it around so that we would get our shuttle on the 7th. The vehicle is a little old - 96 Disco with 173k miles (so the box had not done too bad). The vehicle still drives but would it make the journey? So decided to buy another vehicle and, when we get back either sell the car as it is or have a box put in from the cheapest company and sell it.
Frantic search for another vehicle which we pick up on the 2nd (private sale). Therefore, we will only have the 'new keeper' slip from the reg document whilst the previous owner send it off. We will also have a receipt for the vehicle.
One good thing was it did not wait until this Saturday otherwise it would have been even more frantic.
If we should get stopped will this be enough or is there anything else we should do - remembering the timespan.
Thanks
Paul
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For heavens sake - that why radios are fitted. When a noise develops you just turn the radio up until you cannot hear it - end of problem [:D] When it gets too severe then you are in to the boy racer boom boxes and huge great amps.
Paul
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[quote user="stevec4117"]
We are travelling at the weekend to view a property found privately on the internet from an English family. It is also advertised with a local agent who will showing us around. If we like it in person we will probably want to go ahead and purchase.
It's in an area with few Brits (so little local help). Some help from all your experience would be much appreciated.
What I understand so far:
- the transaction will be performed by a Notaire who will represent both parties.
They can represent both paties or you can elect to have your own. In reality the Notaire represents the government and does not offer advice as a UK solicitor would to a buyer or seller
- this will be in French (ours is at holiday level and nowhere near good enough to handle this)
choose your own Notaire who can speak English - search on www. notaires.fr for those in your area who speak English. Our completion was conducted in English (buyer, seller and agent all English) with our Notaire translating into French for the sellers notaire who did not speak English. There are no extra fees for having two Notaires
- we will need to commit within a week of any offer by signing the "compromis".
Unaware of the 'week' rule but you will be expected to sign the compris fairly soon after an offer has been accepted
- in addtion to the quoted price there will be further fees due.
If the agents price does not include their fees then these, the notaires and the taxes
- we will need to have paid the full amount to the Notaire ahead of a meeting which we would call completion.
Yes - perhaps best not to leave it too fine in case hiccups occur and the money is not in place at the time of completion
- we don't need a mortgage but would consider one if this makes sense.
?
So questions so far:
- what additonal help should we get? A UK solicitor? Our own Notaire? Just a friend who is fluent in French?
minimum of an English speaking Notaire. If you use a UK solicitor then they must be fully conversant with the French system
- what's the view on organisations such as VEF?
- what do they do (for what looks like a significnat price) more than those I've mentioned above.
- do they offer guarantees in the way an English solicitor would if they mess up?
- the most critical issue is the satisfactory transfer of title. Is there anything peculiar about this issue in France?
- What fees in addition to the cost price will we need to pay as part of the transaction?
See above
- Should we consider a mortgage for say €75,000?
- If so, should we do this in France or the UK?
- Any advice about a French bank account?
Open one. There are fees - cards, internet access etc. Some of the banks have an English service. Personally thought a local bank best forcing us to pick up the French terms etc and to speak French
Think that's it! anything else? Thanks very much.
Steve
Paul
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I think it is very easy. You just do not sign the Acte and lose your deposit. Is it also possible for the vendor to sue for the full value?
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[quote user="f1steveuk"]The crux is "the vehicle must meet ALL the legal requirements for the country it is registered in".
UK plates means, it must have road tax, and an annual MOT, there are quite a few Brits who are on UK plates, and have left the tax lapse, but as has been said, it is unlikely the French police will be bothered, but then again, IF you get caught speeding, and if as the new agreement goes the French send the ticket to the \uk, and it arrives at the address the UK reg'd car is supposed to be at, they'll check the tax/mot on the new linked system, and you'd be in all sorts of bother, especially if you aren't at the address either!
[/quote]Ah but surely, if you have told the DVLA that the vehicle has been permanently exported THEN it is no longer registered in the UK.
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[quote user="P-D de Rouffignac"]
A survey by IMG published in today's Guardian found that British buyers take an average of just 17 minutes to choose their new home, relying mainly on 'gut instinct' that this is the one for them. They spent longer (54 minutes) selecting curtains and other soft furnishings. Why is it then that when house buyers come to France they either (a) visit a hundred properties and refuse to compromise, convinced that their dream home is just around the next corner; or (b) buy a totally unsuitable ruin whcih they attempt to do up, never having even put up a shelf properly back in Britain, and are then forced to take a loss when they try and offload their 'partially renovated' wreck onto the property market? Food for thought?
P-D de Rouffignac
[/quote]
Well PD your (a) with us was wrong - we visited about 200 houses. However, the one that we bought probably only took 17 minutes (if that) to decide that it was the one.
We had a number of houses to visit on that particular expedition. It was the first on the list, mianly because that was first on our route. We visited the other houses and then went back for another look.
It did not fit what we had originally set out to look for, but that changed over time - i.e. experience dictating.
Found it was very different from looking for a house that will be a holiday home / retirement home to one near to work. Wne working, the area of choice is a lot smaller and with budget constraint will lead to only a few small areas. With the French house it was somewhat different. It could be anywhere we chose and, even when we did settle on an area, it was quite a massive one - views of the Pyrenees being a criteria meant that the area was large.
Another thing that we did was to up our budget - we quickly learnt that there are large variations in price over areas.
We did find three others that might have been the one (one we even got as far as signing the Compris but the vendor did not). Of the other two, 2nd and 3rd viewings removed them from the list.
Finally, were we justified in viewing 200 houses to find the one that we wanted? The estate agents will probably say no (perhaps apart from the agent whose house we bought - I only booked to see that one and she took us to see another). But with estate agents fees what they are in France then perhaps they should not expect to sell houses very easily unless they drop their fees. Plus, and a very big plus, it was our money we were spending so we feel we had a right to ensure we bought the right house.
We also found wide variations in agents attitudes - so much so that one if they came up with the absolute ideal house at a fantastic price we would not have dealt with them, and this was one that likes to pitch to the British and Dutch buyers (and it is not the one in the Montagne Noir who were excellent).
The thing I would take issue with is 54 minutes for curtains - they are of by a factor of about 10 [:D]
Paul
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[quote user="Anton Redman"]
Most of the above explains why I prefer to stay in the worst/cheapest/shodiest French hotels rather than British owned C de H. If you would prefer people to be no shows rather than turn up at 1 am then that is your choice but you should make it totally clear on your website and expect to loose the business.
The attitudes to hospitality expounded above explain why we hunted long and hard for a cattery which was French owned .
Personally I would rather negotiate with dogs for sleeping space than buy something from you..
This week on the Forum there have been enough postings about the nuls who simply do not realise how big France is, there have also been enough postings from people who have been totally messed about by the Tunnel, Ferries and Airlines. My view is that if you want to make somebodies 'day' even worse at 11 pm after a couple of problems beyound their contriol that is fine but you should not be running a hotel or C d H.
Despite my predelictiton for refering to Flemish as 'Dutch pour dels Nuls' or 'Afrikance for the Intelligencia' I would suggest you get the thirty phrases you need to reply together.
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Anton I have not yet read any of the comments from here on yet.
Yes, there can be problems with delays on roads, ferries, aircraft etc. BUT if I were delayed by one of these, I would be phoning the establishment at the earliest opportunity, i.e. if at an airport with a delayed flgiht as soon as the anticipated take off time was, claculating when I should be arriving and enquiring if it would be OK to arrive then, fully accepting that if it would be 1am that the owners may say that it would be unacceptable. I would then check in to one of the hotel chains that are either manned 24 hours or have a check in machine. If they had said it was OK I would keep them updated on my progress and not just let them wait hoping I would arrive at the estimated time.
However, some people are their own worst enemies, leaving barely enough time to get to, say the airport, if everyhting runs well. When it does not then they miss flights etc.
Consideration goes both ways and perhaps the traveller needs to be more considerate to the C d H etc owner.
Paul
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It is a shame that some of these groups do not look at the whole picture.
Many years ago I was touring in North Wales, we walked in to a pub where they were speaking English, switched to Welsh and feigned that they could not speak English.
I have never been back to N Wales. A large part of the income is from tourists. For instance, Chinese slate is far cheaper than Welsh slate so sales have gone and the slate quarries are now tourist attractions. Without tourists and people bringing money in to the area it will die.
I fully support keeping a culture going but isolationism is not the way to prosper.
Paul
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Mimi
The property was not near Mirepoix in the Airege by any chance?
Paul
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[quote user="Onion van man"][quote user="Frederick"]and.... also unable to have an MOT done no doubt . They save a few quid compared with the rest of us dont they ![/quote]
You can get an MOT test done on any vehicle regardless of where or if it is registered. It is exactly the same as they normally do them except they put the chassis number on the certificate instead of the registration number.
[/quote]Quite right OVM but not all testers know that.
Built a kit car and needed to get it MOT'd but then had to be inspected to decide if the donor registration could be kept. Popped in to my normal guy to book it and he asked the reg number. 'Hasn't got one at the moment'. 'Oh, I'll have to make some enquiries'. And as OVM says the chassis number goes on the certificate.
Plus, it was perfectly legal to drive it too and from an inspection so I drove it without plates 30 miles there and thirty miles back. Result - no one stopped me.
Paul
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Pauline
The area you mention is on the border of Gers and the Haute Garonne. We have just bought in 31 very near to Boulogne and L'Isle. We find the area very pleasant with spectacular scenery and pleasant locals.
Will send yo a PM with some agents.
Paul
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In 2002 we were returning from Atlanta in the US. My wifes bag went through the scanner and they wanted to inspect it. In it she had a travel kettle - I am sure it is her security blanket, until recently my 'there is tea and coffee making facilities in the room' falling on deaf ears. The security person eyed it extremely suspiciously. My OH had to explain exactly what it was for and how you use it!
This February drove a van down to 31 with items for own new house. OH was convinced it would breakdown - it was somewhat elderly. Unfortunately, she was right. Did not get it back from the garage until the day on which we had intended to drive back. Fortunately, had a changeable ticket for the ferry. As I had not had the van had been unable to attempt to get rid of the rubble from the wall that I had knocked down nor any of the packing cases etc.
Piled all of this in to the van and set off next day for Calais. Arrived at about 8pm extremely tired so concentration was somewhat down. On the approach saw the signs to the left showing cars and minibuses but no vans so turned right where it showed larger vehicles. Immediately decided I had taken the wrong turning, largely by being dwarfed by loads of 18 wheelers, but there was no going back. Ushered into a shed and asked to open the back. They looked inside at all the rubbish and told to proceed. Stopped at the ticket office. Opened the door and stood up to reach the window. 'You are in the wrong place you need to be over with the cars. Go down there and then round by that building to get over there'. However, passport control was next. Same procedure. 'Your passenger will have to get back so that I can see her'. So we then proceeded, took the wrong turn and ended up on the quayside. The thought of sneaking on to a Dover bound ferry did cross my mind - have they ever checked your disc? Followed the exit signs, drove out of the docks and then back in and took the car route. Queued for passport control for ages (unlike in the 18 wheeler section) so through for the second time in half an hour. Up to the ticket desk, explained that I had missed the original ferry that I was booked for but had phoned and now wished to get on a ferry. Told I would have to go over to another building to book (had tried to over the phone prior to arriving at Calais but told to just go to the port). The gentleman in the office had this very strong alcoholic haze around him. Booked me on to the 21:00 ferry and then realised that it had left! and proceeded to book me on to the next one. Out of there, back and join the queue for passport control. Long queue again and through passport control for the THIRD time in under an hour - no query as to why I had been through passport control three times. Through to the security area. 'Open the back please' and they shone a torch onto the rubble and OK you can proceed. Now, I could have been hiding all sorts of things under the rubble but I suppose they did not want to get their uniforms dirty. Finally, on to the ferry and home.
Paul
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[quote user="Frederick"]
Now illegal to take out any Meat ..Meat Products ...Milk ...Milk and Dairy products including sandwiches packed lunches and food for self catering holidays even if frozen or tinned ......Thank you defra for putting me on a bacon free diet for the next few weeks ...I need to lose a pound ot two ....www.defra.gov.uk for more information.
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Well Frederick I think the outbreak has been handled very well. In 2001 the effect was extremely drastic and, with BSE, damaged the reputation of the UK.
This time the containment has been very rapid and the measures taken seem to have pleased fellow EC countries. Not having bacon for the next few weeks seems a very small price to pay to the other option of lax controls being taken leading to a rapid spread of foot and mouth and extremely strong measures being taken by other EC countries, not to mention the economic damage as well as the slaughter of many thousands of animals and the disposal problems that would have ensued.
Paul
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[quote user="BJSLIV"]
Defra'a notification of the ban is here
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/public/index.htm#4
and the official flyer
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Well thanks BJSLIV for making my blood boil [:)] and make me send off a strong email to DEFRA [:@].
An official UK site and they spell TRAVELLER as TRAVELER the US way!
Nothing against the US if they wish to spell it that way but a UK government site should get it right.
Paul
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[quote user="Clair"]Anna, this answers your questions: http://ec.europa.eu/transport/home/drivinglicence/faq/002_en.htm
[/quote]Interesting link. It takes you to a European Commission website that contains a disclaimer about the accuracy of the information on it [:-))]
What hope for us if those that make the rules do not know if the information they give is accurate [:@]
Paul
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Certainly, our deposit and balance for a house in 31 was paid into a tresorie account. Plus we were informed that the balance must be in the account prior to signing.
Paul
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[quote user="J.R."]
I phoned them and said that I would attend to it on my return, they were very unhappy with that and said that if I didnt organise a contractor to do it straight away then they would and pursue me for the money, Needless to say once I had explained that it was their fence and their responsibility they decided to wait for me to return!
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Nice - but the sort of thing that you want to say to them face to face [:D] - just to see their expression change [+o(]
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Join the camping and caravan club and then the RAC via the Arival scheme (through the Camping and caravaning club) and away you go - no age limit.
Neat eh?
Paul
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[quote user="Nick Trollope"]
BTW, the requirement for reflective jackets, first-aid kits, bulbs and spare underwear, is a crock of sh*t perpetuated by the shops in the ferry ports. Not mandatory here!
You are only required to carry paperwork for the car.
[/quote]
Now you tell us Nick - I've just had a vest specially made for the dog at great expense [:D]
Paul
Getting back into the Uk, can it get any worse?
in Travelling to/from France
Posted
Came by using Seafrance eralier this year - passport control etc done at Calais.
Paul