lespins

Hi Jaqui I will be at our barn conversion just outside Le Dorat on Monday 26/3 having cement delivered for some footings. I am using a company called Betons Vicat from Limoges. I will let you know the outcome, price/service etc

We have a derelict property next to our barn conversion and are wondering what is the best way to find out if we can purchase it. Our nearest neighbour states it has been empty for at least 15 years and judging by the overgrown brambles I would think this is about right. No one local has any info on the current owner(s) and we wonder if anyone has any knowledge as to the best way for us to go about making the necessary enquiries. Has anyone ever tried this themselves and if so to what results? 

Will take forms to Mairie in March and ask for assistance in completing them. Thanks once again for the sound advice, we really appreciate all the help.

We are having building works commence at our barn on 14/5 and need to submit the above declaration to the Mairie. Has anyone seen an English version of the form that will help us complete it correctly? We have three copies that came with the Permis De Construie, do we have to submit all copies or are they for when we have further work carried out. We plan on doing the renovation in stages over the next year. Any help/advice as always greatly appreciated.

SUNDAY EXPRESS Feb 4th 2007   A new law affecting the renovation of properties in France is set to destroy the market in derelict ruins, from which many British buyers have made fortunes. But don't worry. You should still be able to snap up a beautiful bargain, as long as you don't mind new-build. The legislation, which comes into force this Easter, stipulates that owners have to obtain an insurance-backed 10-year guarantee on any repair work. this could adversely affect the value of properties that have been done up without guarantees and would also mean properties that need renovation will sit unsold. Solicitor Keith Baker, whose firm Croft Baker specialises in the French property market, says: "The French are aligning renovation laws with new-build, where developers have to offer a 10-year guarantee to buyers. My view is, if UK buyers do the repairs themselves, they will not be able to supply guarantees of the work and this could adversely impact on the market value"   Article then goes on about buying new-build off plan etc... Well thats it and I hope its not so but if it is then how does one get round the problem if they wish to sell up and move on

Just read in Sunday paper that as from Easter this year French building Regs require all renovated properties to have a 10 year guarantee supplied with them if they are to be sold on. It states that this rule will make the sale and purchase of renovated old property in France stagnate and that there will be even more derelict properties that no one will want to buy as a result. Anyone heard any similar stories or mutterings?

Thanks to you all. We gave it one dose of treatment in September 2006 and plan to do the same in March 2007 and I checked the tank before I left in September 2006 and it was full of water. Lets hope all is well on my return. Once again THANKS

I have had a fosse installed recently and will not be using it a great deal whilst building work gets under way. Is there anything I should do to maintain it during the months of Non use ?

Thanks to all who have helped, sorry I have not replied sooner but have been working away for last 8 days and no computer access ! I do not know what size the connectors are on the flexi pipes that come from the rear of a French shower but I do believe that they accept a male connector so the Speedfit tap connectors may not work. Once I have found the answer I will let you know.

When I had the water put on last year I reduced the 25mm mains down to 22mm where it came through the wall of an out building we are using as a temporary store/toilet etc whilst we convert the main barn. I then reduced this to 15mm Speedfit plastic pipes and ran cold feed to sink, toilet and wall mounted calor gaz boiler. I then ran the hot water out back to the sink and now want to connect cold and hot on French shower which of course is 14mm which I can not reduce to Speedfit. The straight 15mm Speedfit joints take both plastic and copper so Antons suggestion should work ok. It will only be temporary so that the builder can have a shower after a hard days work!

Anton Thank you for the answers, I am amazed at the response one gets on this forum and no doubt will be drawing on your experience again.

Second post since joining three days ago -  must be serious ! Some answers needed to following if poss; 1) I am I able to get the 440mm x 215 thermalite blocks any where in France or do they have a similar type of block/parpaing to offer made from blown concrete? 2) I am buying a cheap French shower to install in an out building for use whilst main barn is being converted. Does anyone know a way of joining 15mm Speedfit plumbing to the flexible hoses on the rear of shower cubicle? 3) Any recommendations for Ready mixed cement companies to deliver in department 87 near to Le Dorat would be great.   Thank you in advance and I promise that once I am knowledgeable about these things I to will pass on what I have learnt......................  

Thank you for the information, things are a lot clearer now. I have had permission from the Mairie for some time and have not put any notice outside to let the neighbours know. I will do this soonest and I believe all I have to do then is submit copies of  'Declaration d'ouverture d'un chantier' and 'Achevement  des travaux' prior to commencing and completing the actual works ?    

Sorry still a bit new to this.   I have a  CU and Permis to Construire and as the total property area exceeds 170m2  this has all been completed by a French Atchitect. When I submit the DdT do I have to place any notice outside the project and if so what are the timescales involved? I will be visiting the site in March prior to the work commencing in May and hope to submit the forms then I hope this will be enough time for any objections.   Thanks for the info so far  

I have read some of the past threads in relation to this topic but could someone answer the following. I together with my brother (UK builder) plan to start work on a complete barn renovation in the Haute Vienne on 14th May 2007. When do we need to apply to the Mairie and even though we are carrying out the work ourselves what details do we put on the display board outside the work area? Any help would be greatful. By the way Excellent forum !