jim

many thanks to everyone - I,m overwhelmed that so many people replied so quickly ! It obviously is a bit more complicated than I thought. We genuinly arent trying to get away with anything - the 40% tax on my UK Old age pension is recovered in the UK via an adjustment to my tax code and deducted from my NHSoccupational pension ie OAP paid gross and net NHSpension bears the tax. regards, Jim

My wife and I have a UK home as well as a home in France where we now spend over 6 months each year; 2 months most winters chasing the sun elsewhere, Our only source of income is our UK NHS occupational pensions and UK old age pensions - we don,t let our french home o anyone - should we be in contact with french tax people ?

Thank you LG, Yes it should be possible to get all of that information and will do so on our return to France in February before progressing towards aquisition. One of the current issues is the need to protect the membrane underneath the terrace tiles by coating grout annually to prevent small cracks allowing rainwater to penetrate bedroom underneath; a more durable method would alleviate wear on my knees also !! Jim

nice one Jx, Despite wot the world says, I always knew the Welsh had a sense of humour ! and for knowing othersare facing same problem,   Jim

thanks Nick, very practical & useful advice; I guess we are looking at something about the same size. ie just for the 2 of us. We live in the Languedoc, near Beziers; any other tips on how to seek out the " reputable professionals" would be very helpful, Jim

thank you for that prompt suggestion - I did think about hot-tub suppliers / installers but obviously would be worried about their " independance", Jim 

how can I find out if my roof terrace can bear the weight of a hot-tub ?

thanks Ian, I think we will just pay up and concentrate on the " good life", Jim

Thanks for the prompt replies , if only confirming my wifes suspicions regarding senility! We have received Taxe D,hab & its due 15/dec here;Incidentally , its for 640 plus 116 re tv, and we paid taxes Fon in september @ 721 euros, which seems a bit higher than usually quoted for an old house which cost us approx euros 200k in August 2004, any comparisons available generally or on-line?  

My wife  and I own a house in the Languedoc which we use as a second home, spending approx 4 months each year in France, our main residence being in the U.K. I thought I read recently that reductions in local taxes (taxes foncieres, taxe d'habitation)  were available (up to apprx 50%)  for 'second ' home owners. I can no longer find the article I read and my wife is covinced that senility is setting in. Can anybody help?