dr orloff

From a website that I once happened across: "********** has a guarantee to our clients in the form of a Professional Indemnity Policy. Should anything go wrong you can sue us." By the way, for a tiny bit of cheer in the gloom.  Some former agents are said to have joined the *****edoffclub(www.*****.com)                      

It doesn't help much but I have every sympathy with you.  I remember househunting too with a company that charged a large fee for the privilege.  I must say that I visited several offices and more often than not the property descriptions were flights of fancy to say the very least. I really can't think who you are talking about, but here is an extract I've found from from the website of an unnamed company: All reasonable care has been taken .......in the preparation of the property descriptions provided but their accuracy is not guaranteed by ................ Descriptions are given in good faith and as an opinion of the .......... Office in France, not as a representation or statement of fact. Any measurements provided are approximate. Potential conversions, extensions, or building work to the property would be subject to obtaining planning permission or building declaration consents and you are responsible for raising any such requirements with the .............Office during negotiations. It is your responsibility to visit the property and to satisfy yourself as to the accuracy of all the information provided by the........... Office in the property description. ..............will assist you to identify where you want to buy and will make appointments for you ............... These offices are independent businesses, trained by ..........., providing the branded ........... service under licence. Offices in France work as negotiators on behalf of local estate agents or are themselves estate agents. I understand that an estate agent (or negotiator) has to take certain information about a property they are selling in good faith, but when there is clearly a major development I would hope that the agent cared enough about the impact upon the purchaser to do their homework. (although I'm not naive enough to believe that) Clearly the mystery company above are distancing themselves from the french agents and the one you used might have a similar policy.  You're probably also relying on verbal representations. So I suppose in your boots I would find out from a legal perspective if the verbal advice can be considered part of the property description, whether from a legal point of view the UK company (agent or whatever they can be called) can distance themselves from the french agent and what the duties of the french agent are in respect of description/advice given on a property.  There are some excellent agents.  My brother-in law is a UK agent (not involved at all with french property) and I am friends with a British agent working in France who just so happens to have started out worked for a UK based operation but resigned because (well I won't go into that).  I will ask their advice although I rather think you've been hung out to dry. A sad tale.            

Nick, surely a permis de construire cannot be granted without a CU?

A CU is required.

I disagree, I think you must be an expert - all the highly paid computer engineers at my old work used to tell me to unplug it and plug it back in again.

We've done up a lovely little old cottage to a very good standard.  There is also a shared, heated pool.  Admittedly, we didn't advertise it until late for this year, but the letting agency said that they have always sold out of this type of property before.  Until now that is - we have no bookings at all. 

whatever

I've always found it curious that Americans don't travel much.  Yes they live in a big country of their own, but go to the remotest, most obscure place you can think of and you'll always find an Aussie.  

I've travelled all over the world and I have found that Americans are virtually universally unpopular.  However, in reality it's the idea of America - its politics, perceived cultural attitudes and brashness that is disliked, rather than Americans themselves.  I have encountered few places where there has been resentment on a personal level towards Americans just for being American.  It's also true that Americans are regarded as stupid.  They're not of course but large numbers are unbelievably ignorant of the rest of the world.  However, the minority who do possess a passport will quickly overcome that perception.  I have personally found Americans to be amongst the most openly friendly and hospitable people anywhere.     

Yes Hairyapple'ssister, there has been some reasonable discussion.  But it's a shame, IMHO, that it can't all be like that.

I'm sure you are all good people but I find some of the comments unhelpful at best and plain nasty at worst. 

Earplugs?  I don't see how anyone can reasonably object to children going to school.

I used a white acrylic matt plasterboard/plaster undercoat from Chantemur.  They have branches all over.  28 Euros for 10 litres.  I thought it was excellent - covered much better than the Crown matt emulsion that I brought from the UK.  Worth a try.  I haven't tried the top coat emulsion yet - they do that for 40 Euros for 10 litres white or 50 Euros in any colour you like.   However, a paint called Renaulac from Brico Depot has been highly recommended.  I've seen the results with Renaulac so I will probably use that instead.

What surface type are you painting?

The Chancellor has made a statement that depositors' savings with the B&B are safe.  So I would move my money.

I hope your grass grows slower than ours - we are currently cutting it twice a week.  In a month it would be a couple of feet high.

I sent you an email with some advice on our area of the Limousin, if you're interested. 

I used an enduit colle polyvalent called Satino 6 by BPBPlaco recommended by my local builders merchants.  I used it to bond plasterboard to a stone wall and it worked a treat. 

It can also work out more expensive with that dratted CSG.

Did you make any return trips to the UK?  If you did then the point at which you became French resident would be pretty difficult to prove - it would depend on your intentions and you could pretty much choose the date you want. If you didn't, then from a practical perspective - how much income would be taxable in France? (I don't wish to know but it's a question to ask yourself).  If it's cacahouettes then, given you had a UK base, I don't see much risk in postoponing a declaration. If neither of the above apply then either: Risk it.  For the authorities to investigate given the circumstances you outline is, in my view, pretty unlikely.  Others will tell you that all your movements have been recorded and monitored and they know you have lived here since last September. Or, Summarise your income from the date of your arrival to the end of the year, pop along to the tax office and a nice inspector will help you fill in a form there and then.  If you need to know whether or not your income is taxable in France then feel free to ask.    

I disagree with Cinderella on that one.

Agreed.  Tax inspectors are generally next to useless on matters that they are not used to dealing with, such as the UK France tax treaty.  Trouble is that they will give you an answer (usually guesswork) rather than admit that they do not know.  In the UK you would be directed to the correct unit for advice.

Try this place: http://www.rentaplaceinfrance.com/html/limousin.html

The N147 is a major road with lots of lorries.  The weather in the East of the Haute Vienne, where we are, is never guaranteed - tends to be colder in winter and warmer in summer, but it is good enough.  Today is beautiful  mid 20's.  I've sent you a private mail to see if we can help further.  

The buyer and seller can have different notaires.  You find yours and if the buyer is happy to use them, fine.  If they wish to appoint another then they may.  The fees (buyer pays) are set by law and will cost the same whatever.  For the benefit of the buyer you can also work out what the fees will be via the notaires de france website, or simply be asking the notaire.  We have bought and sold houses privately, I have found the process straightforward and would always try selling privately before resorting to an agent.