Phillippe

[:-))] Help please I was playing with the gif files and uploaded a brill monkey - loaded fine but he's now dead . No raised eybrows etc etc! Have I killed him. Any idea how to fix it[:(] Phi thanks

[quote user="Ron Avery"]What is wrong with a "clause tontine" for the property and a Will for the assets?[/quote] The more we thought about the situation of Tontine after the death of one of us eg: the survivor would have to pay tax on the half belonging to the deceased (that is if the whole property is valued over 70,000 Euro’s (check figure as it might have now been revised) the stress of death and then having to pay was for us not a pleasant thought.[:@] We were not aware of any of this at the time and only went in Tontine in haste because somebody else had – now we understand that in certain circumstances –married before , sibling of prior marriage etc it could be suitable. But we had no complications like that. Talking with our new Notaire in France (speaks English like a native) she explained that in more complicated situations Tontine is excellent. For our circumstance the survivor would have had a very hefty tax bill to pay even though it is our one and only prime residence.

Thanks David- You were up early this morning[:D]. What is worrying me is that I might like being in the limelight again and should this association ask me to do a regular charity do ( no money involved except say 20 euro's for fuel) I want to know that I can say , yes. On the other hand they might offer me 20 Euro,s never to come back [:-))] Reading between the comments is -except the cash for the fuel and say nowt about it.[Www] Thanks everyone.

As a proffesional musi in the UK now retired in France  I have been asked to do a gig here . I do not want payment but am I allowed to accept the petrol money they wish to pay me ,without breaking the law as regards accepting money. Phi[8-|]

[quote user="united"] Vivi, My understanding is that en Tontine meets your need but it is pretty inflexible. Once adopted it cannot be cancelled. In the event of a dispute no one owner can transfer his/her share to the other and that if you want to alter the form of ownership the only solution is to sell to a third party. There are some tax implications for valuable properties. [/quote] Your understanding is 100% incorrect . You may change away from the regime “Tontine” at any time. There is a charge which is calculated on the price of the properties worth at time of change. Anybody considering this change should speak with their Notaire as they will give a free estimate on what your charges will be incurred for the whole process inc taxes. We had out Tontine removed after 4 years. We know of others also. Phi.  

Have I understood this correctly, please. 1. An Architect must be used only with French credentials/ registration. As opposed to English credentials.. What are these? 2. An Architect is only registered to work within a set department- check because if he works outside his department his work / advice is not insured. This is second hand info- please, can someone confirm this? Is there a web site you can check if Jo Bloggs credentials are valid? Would a project manager come under this criteria = needs to be registered with a French department. Thanks in anticipation.    

[quote user="Weedon"][quote user="Phillippe"] Can I take this oppertunity to say I am furious with their pushy marketing  which I think could break some rules in France  so cross I have sent a copy of the persons name , address which was easy to find because of her phone number - she is from the Dordogne so I sent info to the Tax office etc to make sure she has registerd her marketing buisness and declaring  - well I am glad I have that off my chest ! From reading all your feedback there are some fibs ( did u see all she says will be there?) in what she repeatedly sent me all 8 flippin e mails -humph , [+o(]she says -:     [/quote] Blimey....she did rattle your chain didn't she......but could she spell? [/quote] Oops , thanks, it was the steam [6] , [:)]

 Can I take this opportunity to say I am furious with their pushy marketing  which I think could break some rules in France  so cross I have sent a copy of the persons name , address which was easy to find because of her phone number - she is from the Dordogne so I sent info to the Tax office etc to make sure she has registered her marketing business and declaring  - well I am glad I have that off my chest ! From reading all your feedback there are some fibs ( did u see all she says will be there?) in what she repeatedly sent me all 8 flippin e mails --humph , [+o(]she says -:   I would like to introduce you to our Holiday Lettings Board, which will be at The France Show 2008 taking place at Olympia, London on 18-20 January.   The show is a celebration of all things French and relating to France. The show is split into five sections, one of which is a large Travel and Tourism area. Here you will find various exhibitors including small independent travel companies and tour operators, tourism offices and large named travel operators.    Already over 30,000 people have reserved tickets and this is before we have even started our non-Archant marketing campaign. Visitors to the show are Francophiles who regularly take holidays in France and who are attending the show to find potential holiday locations in 2008.    We understand that whilst many holiday lettings companies would like to be at the show to exhibit the properties they have to offer, some do not have the manpower or the time to be at the show. This is why we have put together the Holiday Lettings Board.    The Holiday Lettings Board is a 12m x 1m stand where individual holiday letting properties will be on show with leaflets for visitors to take away. For each property you exhibit, we will provide 150 leaflets with the property details, photographs and your contact details. We will also restock the leaflets throughout the weekend, and place the property on our own holiday web site ( I have deleted there charges of adverts) I have listed below information regarding details and costs:(name deleted by Mod in accordance with the forum Code of Conduct) The France show 2008 marketing and advertising

[quote user="samdebretagne"][quote user="Jura"] I'd be interested to know how she managed to remain in France so long when divorcing after just one year of marriage. [/quote] Because at that time, they were giving out ten year cartes de séjour like candy.  So even though they got divorced, her cds was still valid for another 9 years. Thanks to Sarko, nowadays you now have to wait 4-5 years to get it, and they also call you in for an interview beforehand to make sure you speak French, are fairly well-integrated, are up-to-date on current events, etc before they will issue it. Personally, I don't think she will be able to renew it, because if you're not married, in order to renew, you need to show that you have enough money to support yourself so you won't be a drain on the system - since she's on benefits and can't work, she doesn't really have a strong case going for her.  Her best bet would be to apply for French citizenship. [/quote] Sorry for delay in reply. I simply dont know any more than what I said previous and presume samdebretagne has hit the nail on the head. Having looked a bit further on the internet it seems that only a life carte de sejour can be requested only if you are still resident in your country of birth! on application ( having not yet resided in the country u wish to move to) , also if you are applying to renew your permit when the 10 years is up it must be applied for not less than 2 months before it expires also you have to prove you have held a job for 2 years ( I stand to be corrected on the length of time ) and at the time of applying you must be actively in work. I really dont think she has any hope of renewing this carte de sejour. Thanks again for feedback.

Thank you , much appreciated- will print some info off and pass it on , has anyone been there and got the T shirt so to speak! ?

Could someone please advise/ discuss- A friend of mine arrived in France  09/04/98 (born Ukraine) married a French man, divorced after 1 years. Valide carte de sejour from 17/05/99 expires 16/05/09 . Because of a number of illnesses she can't continue in work  (now on the social), she is 54 years old. She speaks excellent French.  Question: With changes in new laws as regards EU members , are there any  new changes in the law for none EU members  that might help her to remain in France permanently, she is convinced when her carte de sejour expires she will be sent back to the Ukraine, eg; might she be allowed to stay because she has remained in France for over 5 years  and speaks French well = permanent residence - any advice greatfully received , please.  Is there a web site I could print that would explain all to her? - I have trawled through but cant locate one.

[quote user="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[/quote] Simply-No, you cant do what you want as regards renovation inside the property. To keep it as short as possible you have to notify the mairie so they will decide if you need permission not to need permission or otherwise. You cant hide this information because (leglislation) at point of sale at some point in your life time or others a comparison is made on how property differs from previous. I have sat in as translator with the notaire over a number of property transactions over the years with English. My last three were delayed either because of above (one fell through totally) or they had to get work they had done themselves approved and signed off by an artisan (very costly), and they were informed that should there have been an accident / fire etc due to any new work detected at fault  they would have had to produce the certificate/ account of work approved if unable to have done this than the Insurance quite likely could have been invalid. The Notaire also offered a compromise to the clients (where the sale fell through) because no Artisan was prepared to Authorise a certificate/ approval for the new inrerior walls and part of roof that was built by the proprietor the Notaire said it was usual for a bond to be paid over to the Notaire and held for 3 years to cover costs should it collapse! The house was withdrawn from sale.   A lot of old farmhouses (as an example) have been reclassified as farm buildings to avoid payment of tax –look at your rate. If this is the case you will need a CU to provide agreement in principle to reinstatement of the building as a house (even though it was lived in before). This will outline any restrictions eg you may be allowed to renovate but not demolish and rebuild and if you  are reclassifying the building as a house being that its a holiday home or resident home and not farming (you cant class yourself as a farmer - have to be a registered working farmer) ,  you need a Permis de Construire. By going to your mairie all you questions will be answered . Remember that departments often differ on their interpretation on some regulations so do not hide anything because you can be sure your neighbour will know what you are up to. Please explain to your neighbour it will make your life easier.