Laurier

I was also quoted 1,7% in the UK or a fixed fee which worked out at more than that. I had 3 agents in and tried hard to negotiate with all of them but they wouldn't budge so assumed it was agreed between all the agents. They all quoted the same percentage. Maybe it does vary in different areas - I am in the south west. Laurier

Just remembered the guy at HiFX also said that their security was in having a holding account, like solicitors, so the money is held in an account and then transferred. He said that some of the other companies, particularly the smaller ones, quote a good rate and then speculate with those funds and this can lead to problems. As I said, I am only repeating what he said. Laurier

It's so interesting reading all the experiences. I am quite nervous of the whole process. I phoned HiFX (since they are now in league with Britline) to ask about their 'compensation' of which there is none as you said. He told me, though, (and I only have his word for it) that the compensation is only for investments in the UK and that during a transfer overseas there is no protection, even with the high street banks. Pommier, I am also in the same boat - transferring my whole life so was thinking I might be safer with my high street bank. He told me that HiFX were selected by the Post Office last year, after a year's due diligence, to be involved in their international transfers which he felt was a very good recommendation. He said they are 'authorised' which is one step up from some of the others and he recommended I ring the FSA for their view and I am going to do that. I have to say that I am thinking I will transfer it in 10 000 blocks (when the time comes) to make sure each one arrives! I suppose that is silly but I am nervous of them all now. I know it wouldn't be such a good rate with anyone doing it that way. I think I need to investigate further. Thanks everyone for the input - much appreciated and food for thought. Regards Laurier

I have been following the various companies which members use to transfer money to buy a house. I know these companies are covered by Financial Services Regs but I do have a niggle about transferring my life savings and earnings (when the time comes - haven't found THE place yet). I know a lot of members have done it so these companies must be OK but can I be sure that they are completely safe? A financial guy advised safety first and rate second. From reading various posts, it would seem that HiFX, Moneycorp, TORFX, and Caxton are the most used. Iknow HiFX have aligned themselves with Britline. I am probably worrying about nothing because they must be as safe as a High Street Bank? Rgds Laurier

Sorry, don't know the answer for France, but would mention that we saw 2 rifles for sale on a stall at a vide grenier, plus a massive assortment of knives, by the way, and a friend remarked that it probably was against the law in the UK! Laurier

I am still in the process of searching for property and getting myself over to France as a normal pensioner. Has anyone thoughts on what might happen if the UK came out of the EU - is this a possibility? I know this is crystal ball stuff and I don't know nearly enough about the euro zone arrangements but, having regard to how the "early retirees" situation has been and is being handled, I just wonder what the situation might be regarding health for us regular pensioners. Laurier

Thanks anyway. I will have to try and look into it. I don't want (as you guys had) a nasty surprise in finding out the fonciere is vastly different to what I was expecting because alterations by the present owner haven't been reassessed by the Impots. regards Laurier

Having read your post about the previous owner not having notified the Impots of changes, and thus you were stung with a huge increase in the fonciere, is it possible to check if the fonciere has been reassessed before purchasing a property? I know the present owner has done alterations but don't know whether he will have notified the Impots. I'm sure it should be possible to check but just don't know if that info is in the public domain or not. Could I just go and ask the Impots what the fonciere is? Laurier

Thanks Idun. I didn't know anything about the DDE but found it straightaway in pagesjaunes and found the office covering the property I'm interested in. I will definitely pay a visit over there. Rgds Laurier

Have read P-D's informative post and wonder - Does every little mairie have its own separate planning department? I have been to the mairie to check up on various things in my search for a property and it seems to be a two-'man' operation with the mayor and his secretary. They seemed to be doing everything. Can i rely on the information being objective ? I need to check out all you have said above. However, it so happens that the mayor is the local farmer who has taken over some land which belonged to the person selling the property. I need to make sure it is all completely above board and I understand it is his responsibility to put in substantial fences (?) so that his cattle don't come over from his newly acquired land (formerly part of the property) into my remaining garden. The other problem is that he didn't seem to be aware that the vendor had changed the house from one dwelling to two dwellings, i.e. his house and a gite. He said, therefore, that this would affect my fonciere. I suspect a bit of bad feeling between the two but wonder if it's my job to ask for the Impots to come and reassess the property before I decide to buy if the vendor hasn't advised them of the changes. I did wonder, therefore, if I should get the services of an English solicitor (versed in French law, as Will said). This is my first 'serious' foray into purchasing and, if I proceed with this one, I certainly don't want to upset the local officials. Thanks Laurier

...me to ... scurrying to the dictionary, I mean ... such a great word to have on the back burner! L.

KG Thanks for that. In fact, my friend is not far from Bagnoles so that is a great idea. In the meantime, I have purchased a few plants while I back here in the UK to make a start. Rgds Laurier

In between looking around different areas for property for myself, I am helping a friend establish his garden in the Orne. The area does have severe winters so am looking for some advice on suitable plantings which will withstand the climate. Does anyone know of a suitable book or literature with suggestions on frost-hardy plants for the region? I have been following similar principles to the UK as the climate is fairly comparable but would like to find some info specific to the region, if possible. Thanks Laurier

I haven't used Brittany because they were just too expensive. Always used to come Norfolkline Dover to Dunkirk. However, to cut down the driving time, the last 3 times I have travelled this year I have used LD from Portsmouth to Le Havre and I think they are excellent and very competitively priced. If you can be a bit flexible and juggle the dates you can get a reasonable fare. If a cabin isn't available, as it wasn't last time, I used the LD sleeper seat and that was fantastic - a proper flat bed. Laurier

Stan, you are right about the hoops and I am trying to bite the bullet. However, having read all the recommendations for Britline, I am coming round to it. Even though my French is pretty good, it might not be up to conversing in bank-speak if I did, indeed, land in a situation such as you and Coops mention. It is proving a tad more taxing than you experienced but it is not helped in that I have several different accounts at different banks and in order to show monthly income and expenditure, I have to do every bank/building society. Some of it has been relatively simple but some quite obstructive. (The computer says "no" comes to mind!) Unfortunately, I don't have a compromis yet and I don't have credit card statements since I didn't use the credit card when on holiday. I haven't saved the boarding passes so am trying to get an original letter from the ferry company to state that i travelled with them. I'm sure it will come together in the end - I probably was a bit negative. I can only send in what I have and see if they want my business! Thanks anyway laurier

Yes, I had this last year. As a woman travelling on her own I wouldn't normally stop if someone waved to me from the side of the road but he (a gent who told me he was Turkish and asked if I spoke French) was desperately trying to flag me down from a lay-by while a lady was sat on the side, head in her hands looking as if there was something very wrong with her. I can't remember the car but it was certainly bigger than my little Megane! Same story, when I stopped and asked if he needed help he said he had run out of petrol and could I help him with money, then offered me a gold chain. I promptly beat it, jumped in my car and didn't stop again for a couple of hours in case he was following me! I think he was probably targeting an English number plate. I have come over this in South Africa where, sadly, I would never have stopped but had never seen it in France or England and I would definitely be very wary of ever stopping again. Laurier

Thanks guys for the info on Quorn stockist. I will advise my friend to try and get it from the places mentioned. Sounds easier to stay a carnivore! Rgds Laurier

I did a search and saw that veggies have struggled to find Quorn in France in the past. Does anyone have any up to date info on where to find it in the Orne. I have a friend who has been trying to find it or a local equivalent. Thanks Laurier

Allanb - thanks very much - certainly worth sounding out my bank which I will do next week. Rgds Laurier

Thanks for the advice. Looks like I need to leg it around the banks in this area until I find one who I would be able to communicate with and who offers me an account on production of the usual documents. Laurier

I know this has been covered in the past, in various posts, but I would appreciate any up to date information on opening a French bank account. I would go for Britline since my French is passable but not fluent. However, as has been mentioned before, they seem to want so much unnecessary information. They want proof of visits to France in the last 6 months and I haven't kept the boarding cards for the ferries and they won't accept copies of internet reservations. Just reading their list of requirements and the fact that I may have to see a solicitor to get certifications since I believe the bank won't do it, is raising the blood pressure. Added to this, it means doing it 3 times over since I have 3 different accounts. I really would appreciate some advice on how to decide on a bank which would be used for the initial transfer and subsequent transfers of income. Perhaps I'm anticipating difficulties which won't arise and wonder if it is possible just to walk into a bank when I am there with my passport and a utility bill? Thanks in advance Regards Laurier

Have pm'd you. Laurier

Have now found the address of the local tax office for my friend to return his form. Thanks C/Lola for pointing me in right direction. Laurier

Thanks C/lola. I did go into the site you gave but couldn't find where you said to put in the info to find the address of the Tax Office. I tried all the different areas of Recherche and went through each of the headings but just couldn't find anywhere to put in 'the address' to locate local Tax Office for my friend to return the form to. Thanks Laurier

Slightly different question which I hope someone can answer. My friend in 61 (Orne) tells me that there is absolutely no return address on his Tax Form - this is his first and he doesn't know where to return it to. I haven't looked at the form myself so can't vouch for the above but can you please advise where he would return the form to. Thanks laurier