Kiras_Back

Yorushiku onegaishimasu!  Shame you're so far away ... there's 2 Japanese down here plus me (Nanzan Daigaku grad) and another I know in Toulouse. Kira-cho, 444-05 Aichi Kira (!)

As it's a barn conversion then you should have paid 5.5% TVA on the build because it 'should' have fallen into a 'renovation' category rather than a 'new build' as the foundations were there already ... Being a second home, you'll be liable for CGT, which is 40% and after 5yrs it slides down a scale that was revised in a law about 2yrs ago - I don't know what you'll be expected to pay after 7yrs ... As someone else mentions, go to a notaire first (don't take what the immo says as gospel!) Kira

Does anyone know of parking 'around' Blagnac where I could leave the car relatively cheaply?  The long term parking will cost over 100euros  which I can't afford.  Ideally somewhere within a bus ride away ... as it'll be freezing cold in January when I return from better climes! Kira

A decent plumber will be French (generally) and you might find that you'd be better off finding someone to help you translate/interpret rather than going down the route of finding a "English speaking'' one! Kira

There's ADSL coverage in the village but it doesn't extend to the lane in question.  France Telecom (without going down the lane but from a PC screen) say that it does exist, the Free technician says it doesn't - I'm inclined to believe the technician, especially when the neighbours couldn't get ADSL either. Been to FT, done that ... ranted, raved, pleaded, begged, got nowhere Now need to join the ranks of the French who are also in similar circumstances - the friends in question are French but live abroad, hence why I'm chasing this for them! Kira

There is such an association.  But I can't find it and desperately need to put some friends onto it. Free is the main offender but F.Telecom/Wanadoo are also guilty of a similar situation. Essentially, I signed the friends up to Free.  Everyone was happy when the box arrived and having put in their phone number (& the neighbours) on the Free site we were SURE that ADSL was available. Hooking up the box, ADSL wasn't available, after ENDLESS calls (and a lot of expense) to Free from me to explain the situation and the friends had a 'certified' technician out to see what the problem was; we found out that ADSL didn't go down the lane where the house was. They sent the Free box back to Free (I'd rather call them 'Expensive'!) via 'accuse de reception' in late June, the card was sent back from Free's offices.  Free are CONTINUING to bill them for a service that NEVER existed and now they don't even have the box/wifi card/Free paraphanelia either! Can anyone tell me of the name of this association that exists?  I met another customer in France Telecom who was telling me about it (he'd had the same problem), stupidly I forgot to ask it's name.  Thanks Kira

I would register with URSSAF.  As a teacher under the 'profession liberale' regime I've set myself up and am now a EURL simplifie - because I'm not at the TVA threshold ... but I DO want to claim my kilometers against tax which amount to about 22,000km for work per year. As someone else has mentioned, you'd be better perceived when touting for work.  I've got several govt. contracts in the region here through persistance & applying via the govt. tendering system.  It's tough to start with, here I am in year 3 and getting by - however I'm single and without dependants - your situation might be different!  I might add that today is the first year I have worked for another company who will remain nameless but thanks to this forum I met my boss on here! Kira

[quote user="Sunday Driver"]Chessfou When you exchange a UK licence for a French one, you keep your original entitlements - therefore no difference in what you can tow.  [/quote] HOWEVER, if you are getting the abovementioned caravan/towing capabilities 'kept' onto your French licence you need to follow French law, so a visite medicale is obligatory every 5yrs ... even for youngsters like me! Kira

You might want to write off to the Caisse Judiciaire in Nantes and get a 'Bulletin No 3' which is usually valid for a month for most govt. departments.  It's a declaration that you are not a criminal ... it keeps cropping up in various paperwork of mine and makes life a lot simpler! Kira

The Mairie sometimes won't know So, go off to the prefectural records office who should have it on microfiche, I've done this a few times for clients with 'non-existant' neighbours Kira

I missed it!  It came in on approach at about 1400hrs almost 10 days ago Was anyone there?  More importantly to me; does anyone have photo's of the approach? Thanks Kira

Thanks, some useful thoughts in there; I've got well over 1,000euros outstanding and all my cotisations pouring in at the moment so having a 3 month overdue bill I'm understandably a little concerned for my future! I had another last year when a former client went bust (a French firm) and still have that outstanding but that's in the low hundreds and my accountant didn't even put it into last years figures as it didn't go through the books at all.  As a SARL he had the whole company dealt with by one firm; salaries came first, I was obviously at the bottom of the list! Kira

Thanks Diva Just sent a letter to the UK 'accuse de reception' to them having already sent a firm letter this morning politely saying that they seemed to have 'overlooked' the payment - they are in France at the moment and certainly know that they haven't overlooked it ... but to be polite :)  I've asked for payment in 7 days which after 3 months of waiting I think is fair & reasonable! I think I'll send a second letter if needed in 10 days to give them some time and then it's onto the Hussiers - any ideas of costs on that one? Kira

Working at the airport on occasion I can vouch for the food there .. there's not much else around except a few places in the Salvaza industrial estate. Hope I'm not too late with the info ... Restaurant phone number: 0468-47-88-19 Kira

I was with my accountant this morning and she doesn't know of a law that might exist for someone like me - a prof liberale (independant).  I'm registered as a EURL (simplifie) and have been for over 3 years now.  However some (English) clients of mine have been refusing to pay since early summer and it's now beyond a joke - cotisations NEED to be paid! Can anyone help me on the French law which applies to me; there must be an Article like with builders - where you can apply an interest charge to a late payment? Thanks! Kira