Dreamers

Thanks for reply, I did believe that to be the case. I was prompted to ask as a friends' friend told him that he would be paying only 5% for his new build (by a well known company)!!

What should be the rate of TVA  payable on a 'new build' house that will be the principal home, not a second home ?

Thanks to all who responded, it seems likely that it is for the first payment of the year from Jan - March, so I'd better get a cheque in the post.

I thought that I had read it correctly , however perhaps someone can help with the exact translation. The paragraph in the letter I received on 30/10/07 stating that we could not renew our affiliation to the CMU is as follows ;- Neanmoins , a titre derogatoire et pour vous permettre de disposer du delai necessaire a la recherche d'une autre assurance maladie, vos droits a la CMU sont prolonges jusqu'au 31 mars 2008 moyennant une cotisation de xxx euros. (their bold words) I later received the 'bill' from URSSAF of that amount which I paid.  Now I have this latest 'bill' from them. I thought that the paragraph read that my affiliation to CMU was being stoped but they would allow an extra period (31/3) to find alternative arrangements, and that the cost would be  xxx euros as stated in the CPAM letter. Have I got it wrong ?

Having gone through the recent trauma, like many others, when we were told that we would be 'out of the system' by the end of March 2008 I have now received a demand to pay the '1st trimestre' by URSSAF. This to be paid by the 31/3. Going back to the end of last year we received a letter from CPAM saying that we could remain in the system until 31/3 for a sum of xxxx  euros whilst we look for private cover. This demand was eventually sent by URSSAF and we paid this. As we know things have moved on since and we are now back in 'the system' .Should we now pay this latest demand for the '1st trimestre' or should we contact them to say that CPAM gave us a figure to pay that would take us up to the 31/3, which was paid ?  Maybe others have now received a similar demand. Sounds like they want it both ways, all the worry and stress  it caused many of us at the time was perhaps compensated by the 'one off' payment from last year to March - but it appears not.

For the past 2 yrs I have worked as a volunteer on the renovation of old tractors and agricultural equipment for a local 'Tractor Museum'. It is a really good thing to do voluntary work, I have made many french friends there and it has helped with learning the language no end. It also leads on to other social things and I am surprised how many people recognise me when I'm out and about !

Can anybody tell me where one can purchase pressure treated timber from. It is of the type for garden use, ie path edging , borders etc. Just lengths of about 100-150 in width.

The storm cut through our part of the 'lot' region, through Pomerade, Goujounac, Montgesty and thereabouts. Apparently hail stones the size of large marbles have wreaked damage to many vines, trees, some cars had windscreens shattered and also bodywork dented. Fortunately it just missed us !

our experience of having a new house built is not very good, to say the least. I can't comment on the company you mention and won't mention ours, but suffice to say that we are extremely disappointed. Work commenced in April last year and is due to be completed next month. The work has been very sporadic . Nothing has been done to the house for almost 7 weeks now although it supposed to be finished very soon. Everytime we talk to the head people there they shrug their shoulders and give little information, customer relations are practically nil, nobody seems to know or care when or whom is going to do what next. We get very little assistance from them when queries are raised or advice rquired. We have had to arrange for our furniture to come from the UK, and we also need to vacate rented accommodation, when the question is aked 'will it be ready for all this?' , we get the usual shrug and a ' maybe' or 'we hope so'  !!! It can be very stressful and put a strain on relationships. Obviously there must be some very efficient and helpful construction companies out there, but please take the time to find one that has been recommended by others. We certainly would not recommend ours ! If we had the time again we would most certainly rent and search out a fairly new house, but never would go down the 'new build' route.(Hindsight is a wonderful thing)

I am also having mails returned 'undelivered' to a friend with ntlworld, with the same report as you have. So I would also be obliged for any explanations from those that understand these things !

Thanks to the 2 respondents, the period of the bill is stated from granting of the 'Permis' in January 2004 , to be paid by 14th July 2005 , so that would be 18 months approx.  It just gives the one payment, not split into two. I'll try to find the other  'thread' mentioned, and as you stated -get my cheque book ready !!

We have land at Mercues in the Lot and are awaiting  (yawn) the completion of a new house there. Planning permission was given in Jan.2004, work commenced Apr. 2004 and the house is finally in the last stages of construction!!  We have received a 'bill' from the Tresor Public  for over  €1000 for taxes, these are listed as Tax Locale d'equipment , Taxe departementale pour le financement du C.A.U.E and taxe departementale pour les Espaces naturels sensibles. My question is , are we liable for these at the moment ? , a) we are not living there yet   and b) the house is not completed and not habitable yet We are naturally willing to pay our 'dues' , but would like to be actually living there and using services before we do ! Any ideas / advice would be welcome

I am just about to purchase one from the UK , the company is 'Scalewatcher'. They will post to France and the one that I am interested in is about £250. Try their site , it may give you an insight of the product. I too live in the 'Lot' and thought it would be worth a try with the hard water hereabouts.

Just for information, my wife and I arrived here in the 'Lot' in January 2004, within a few weeks we went to CPAM in Cahors and received the paper 'attestation using our E106's. We were prepared for a long wait after that, but 'hey presto' within about 3 weeks we both received our Carte Vitales, and a godsend they have been. Seems to be that some areas are more efficient than others.

It is a relatively simple step if you wish to be with 'Wanadoo'. Just 'pop' into your France Telecom shop and they will set it all up for you and arrange direct debit etc with your Bank. So go armed with your Bank details ! , also if you have a 'Computer' type shop nearby, they often act as agents for wanadoo' or whoever and they can also set you up (so to speak !) there and then.      Good luck and enjoy France    Regards            - Dreamers