Cherl

I'm so looking forward to the answers to this one.

Have sent you details (I think) - the screen went blank so not sure if it went. Cherl    

Tks Fulcrum. Yes, it's there - easy when you know where to look ... panicked me a bit when I read all the postings on firewalls ... Cherl

Thanks Cassis/Bugbear. Found it, and it's 'on' so presume I am 'safe'! Cherl

Sorry if this has been covered - have read all the postings. How do I find out if I have a Firewall? Probably daft question but I have checked everywhere I know how and can't see any mention. I have Windows XP but can't see any kind of firewall mentioned (is there an automatic firewall with this program?). Also, I have AVG free but again can't see a firewall noted. After reading all the postings, I thought I had better check! Cherl    

Tks Phillippe. Glad I asked. Cherl

Thanks for all the replies. I am finding out fast that it pays to follow up on everything. Cherl

Can someone just confirm that you can do pretty much what you like inside a house, regarding modernisation (not a complete renovation)without any planning permission. I am thinking in terms of  an extra bathroom/taking down a partition wall. I thought I read that you only needed planning permission if it changed the outside appearance, i.e. a dormer window in a loft conversion, but anything inside you could do freely, pretty much as in the UK. What happens in the case of a property joined to another, i.e. semi-detached cottage, or flat? Do you have to get permission from the immediate neighbours for any internal  building/alteration works? Cherl      

Cjlaws, Thanks and  to everyone else for suggestions. This option was so simple to install and works perfectly - thanks again, problem solved. Cherl

Dear Loiseau That's exactly my problem. I am in the process of trying the various suggestions mentioned in reply to my posting. As with you, it's only in the emails, from my English laptop, that I have the problem! Cherl  

Thanks - I'll try the suggestions. Cherl

 I don't know if this has come up before. If so, apologies. Does anyone know how you can type accented French in an email from an English keyboard?  The accents are no problem in Word but I can't find a way of typing emails with accents. I don't know if this is a general problem, or just mine! When I'm using a French keyboard, I have no problem - I connect through the Internet to my ISP when travelling. I know how to do the accents but they just don't appear in the emails from an English keyboard. Cherl  

Dear Lou Thanks for the feedback - so interesting to hear others' experiences. Sounds as if I'm away with the fairies thinking it would be easy ... Cherl  

Merci bcp.

Thanks all - knew it wouldn't be easy. Yes, I agree, I must find a notaire. Cherl

I have been reading all the messages re inheritance and have read loads of the published material but can never find anything similar to my situation which is a bit complicated.  I am a widow with no children but with adult step-children, step-grandchildren, an elderly mother and sister with children. If I purchased a property in France, does anyone know would I be able to bequeath it in equal shares to my step-grandchildren, over my step-sons, mother and sister, who are already taken care of? Cherl  

Thanks  - I was thinking more of the 'inheritance succession' rules. Since my family  are a bit disjointed, with step-children and step-grandchildren all over the world, the business of the inheritance succession scares the life out of me. It has so far put me off venturing into the French property market. If I can't leave it to whomever I like, a mobile/residential park home seemed much less complicated if the same succession rules didn't apply! Cherl  

Just reading some of the messages on the cost of selling a property within 5 years and having to pay VAT and/or CGT, do all the legal attachments apply also to a Mobile Home, i.e. inheritance, etc. etc., especially if you sell within 5 years (though it wouldn't have appreciated). In passing, I did look at one some time ago but the site owner told me there were no legal implications attached, as with a house purchase, but I wonder if that is correct?   Cherl

Thanks very much for the info.  I am so surprised - I thought the property market in France was buoyant and I didn't realise it was so difficult to find work in that domaine. It sounds fraught with complications. All a bit depressing! I will have to research other avenues.

New to forum - looking for advice from those who have done it. I live in UK but spend a lot of time in France working as Tour Manager for holiday groups which I do enjoy as I love working with people. However, as 50 something independent female, I am looking for a new challenge. Since I will eventually retire to France, I thought I could try my hand at property which has always interested me but I've never done anything about it. Does anyone have any experience of working for an estate agent in France, as an English native? Is it easy to get in and what qualifications do they want ?  I am near fluent in French. Any advice appreciated.   Cherl