John Brown

Thanks for the help. My Tax demand arrived today with a big fat zero to pay ( thanks to my Local Government Pension ) Do I still enter the Full Amount from the "Revenu fiscal de reference", in Line 2 of the Declaration Form, under my name and shown nothing under my OH's name JB

Hi, I've received a "declaration de revenus pour la protection de base" form ( cosa no.11419*03 ) and just want to check I understand what they want from me. The forms look straight-forward but are there any bits I need to be wary of ?  It appears I will be leaving lots of blank spaces. Is that right ? Do they want my tax demand for 2009 ( when it arrives ) And proof that I live here , a utility bill ( how many and how recent ) Good Photo-copies ? JB

For the last couple of years our elderly French neighbours have, about this time of year, presented us with seven ears of corn tied together and taken away last years corn to burn. We are told that it must be hung up in the house, in the living room, for the rest of the year. We live in the Creuse Has anyone come across this and whats the significance. We would like to keep this tradition going with our new neighbours but are not sure what it all means Thanks

Thanks for all the comments. I referred to the house as Ancient only because I have heard, in France, that old un-refurbished small houses in the grounds of more modern houses are often classed as "Ancient" The main house was built around 1850 and I'm told the older house was used up to then by the same family. The house like many in France was owned by the same family since it was built. Structurally its solid with a sound roof, although the roof will need to be stripped and re-tiled. Luckily  there's plenty of spare tiles available to make up for the damaged ones. I'll speak to the Mairie even if it turns out that I didn't need to. Can't do any harm and I may get some good advice Thanks again, John

We have an ancient house in the garden that dates back to pre 1750. Its granite stone, only 5 by 4 metre internally on two levels with no water, electric or waste. Just two rooms I'm looking for ideas for a future use. The obvious answer is for guest accommodation but I'm hoping for other ideas I'll restore the exterior exactly as it was originally, or at least as it was the last time it was interfered with, which was according to the Lady that owned it, about 70 years ago Are there any good references to how it would have looked originally. ( Creuse Area ) The window openings have sides made with handmade red bricks which don't look right ! Thanks John 

Hi, I'm hoping to try brewing ginger beer and maybe hedgerow berry wine this summer. Does anyone know where I can buy Demi-john Bottles and brewing kit from. I've not seen any on my travels so far. JB

Hi, On our last visit to the hairdressers, while I was waiting for my wife to have her hair done I noticed a French gentleman having his hair cut. I noticed he was sporting a nice mustache and that his hair was being cut just as I wanted mine. I worked out in my head what to say when my turn in the chair came and I thought I said, in my best French "I would like my hair cut just like the gentleman with the mustache who is about to leave the shop" What I managed in saying was " I would like you to cut me a mustache just like the one the gentleman has, who is now leaving" I have no facial hair. Everyone in the shop turned and looked at me in amazement The hairdresser laughed that much I thought she was in danger of cutting one of my ears off. JB

[quote user="John Brown"] The exchange rate WILL continue to go up over the next few months. Me and David are best mates, and Nick's OK too. [/quote] Didn't I say it would ......... best rate for over a year today 1.194 at mid day and climbing Gordon's Brother ( only joking ) JB

A big thank you to everyone thats contributed to my question. You have helped me make a significant start with this issue, which my wife keeps reminding me is urgent. Usually about 4.30 in the morning. I keep finding man-traps all over the garden. so I'm watching my back ! The exchange rate WILL continue to go up over the next few months. Me and David are best mates, and Nick's OK too. Seriously, thanks again JB

Thanks for all the help I'd been searching for "writing a French Will" etc, not as I should have, inheritance law. My mistake ! I'll do the research and go see the Notaire who dealt with the house purchase. I case I can't find reference to this question Would an English Bank accept French Inheritance Law and part with your money or do you need to write an identical Will in the UK! I could always bring most of it over when the exchange rate improves then its not a problem Thanks again JB

Apologises if this question has been asked before, but I've searched and nothing relevant came up. My wife and I would like to write French Wills. Everything is straight forward. Leaving everything to whoever survives the other and then everything 50 -50 between our two kids. It appears from the advice on inheritance on this Forum that thats how it would work without Will's being written anyway The only thing like most of us ( I guess ) we still have some money and bank accounts in the UK Is there a guide to writing a French Will or do you always have to go to a Notaire and talk it through from scratch Any idea of the cost and would it help to attempt to write out the general principles ourselves JB  

Thanks Simon, Although we have never seen it on our travels there appears to be a store just the other side of Montlucon, according to their website, so we will give them a visit Cheers

Hi, We have family coming out to visit this summer and one of our guests uses a wheelchair. I'm looking to put two handrails in the shower but I can't remember seeing any in the DIY Stores. The sort I'm looking for have a white finish and look like they will stand getting wet. The rest of the adaptations I can make from scratch. We are based between Limoges and  Mont Lucon Thanks John

Yes, mine came at different times with a week in between.  It does seem a bit late because mine showed a return date of 29th May on paper.

Thanks Sunday Driver. I will complete the forms and return them this week. Lets hope you get some good bike weather soon. Nothing like blowing the cobwebs away.

I've noticed that the Tax Return Forms that had been sent to me are 2047K and 2042K The 2042K is partially pre-completed. Are these correct, as I remember reading somewhere that the K refers to employees of French Companies I'm early retired, from the UK and have not worked or carried out any business in France Thanks, John

Update of the position, so far. A friend of a Friend who has links with the Turkish Community and the "powers that be" in the Town has offered to help. A meeting was held with the Planning Dept who confirmed that the original use was for a dwelling. They asked for a change of use for a shop but that was turned down for practical reasons because of the location. Permission was given for use as a club. Its now open till very late (1.30am ) with the noise of talking and cars leaving. Often with long conversations in the lane. ( What's Turkish for CLEAR OFF } It appears that there is no consultation with local home owners before granting permission so be warned if a house nearby becomes vacant and everything untoward happens. It also appears that permission would have been refused if they could have acted pro actively at the beginning A meeting is being arranged with the owner of the house and all the local home owners

NormanH, You were right on the money with the use of the building as a social club under the terms of an "Association Loi de 1 er juillet 1901" The owner of the "house"  has confirmed this to be the case Our friends ask, 1. Is it legal in France to to get planning permission to build  for habitation and then just change it to use the building as a social club for men, open seven days a week till midnight     most nights, even though it is just feet away from private residences   2. Are there no parking restrictions and laws regarding Social Clubs and there effect on the local community in France? Is it OK to open a business when you have maybe 6-7 parking spaces and the business attracts 20 - 30 cars at one time?     Thus filling up all the communal lay-byes, parking on the verges of a very narrow road and blocking residents access to their own properties? This has developed into a nightmare situation for this couple because they can't even sell up and move John  

NormanH, You make a good point regarding the Turkish Community, we have always found them to be nice people. I say "Turkish" in the first post, I might be doing them a disservice. This community are housed locally in multi-story flats and are said to be "refugees" with a few local business men friends. We notice all the visitors are men. There was certainly a lot of  "free help" with the building of the house The Agent that sold the house says there is no such thing as "Change of Use" in France but is that them not wanting to be bothered now. Thanks for the links

Our friends bought a house on the edge of a large town a few years ago and subsequently permission was given for a single dwelling on land opposite their house The house was built by two Turkish families who constructed what appeared to be a pair of semi-detached houses. The houses were finished externally apart from the groundwork but no internal walls were built. It is understood that the families fell out before the work was completed and the house has been turned into a Community Centre for the local Turkish People. It is open from 8.00am till mid-night each day and over 100 people arrive and leave by cars each day. Parked cars are left along the narrow lane and the level of noise is unbearable. What, if anything, can be done John

After travelling round France and hopping back to Britain for the odd short break over the last two months we have now decided on a region to explore with a view to settle or not ! We've found a long let for a year. What insurance cover do we need for this period. We will continue to fly back to the UK during the year for the odd week for family visits etc We consider ourselves on an extended holiday with a view to seeing if its the life we want, while keeping our options open. Any comments please   

I've just moved into a renovated property thats had a new fosse septic installed in the grounds of the house I visited the house while the work was being carried out and could see where the pipework was laid. The work was obviously passed. My question is, now that the pipes have been back filled and covered with soil can I make my veg garden directly above the soak away pipes The soil appears to be at least 18 inches thick above the trenches, so working with a spade should be OK but will the roots draw up any thing from the soak away. Thanks for any advice on the issue[8-)]