Garfy

HI, Thank you all for taking the time to reply.  Yours responses have been very interesting. As far as leaving the property, to start with it would not have anything of any value in it. I am looking to buy probably on the outskirts of a town/village, (but almost certainly the house I want will be alone with not too much near it). I am looking to buy with the solid view to moving out to France for good, so this isn't a holiday home or something I'm trying to make money on. My concerns is not so much for burgulars, (although this does create a small problem as far as leaving tools out there while I renevate the building/s), but more for squaters. Is this a problem in France?  Many Thanks Gareth [:D]

Hi, This is my 1st post, and was hoping to gain some helpfull advice from all you lovely experenced people over there, who have done it and worn the t-shirt.  I have lived in the south east of England pretty much all my life & will be looking to move over to the Poitou-Charentes area.  I am looking for any advice anyone can give. Obviously I have carried out my own research, but I feel you can never know too much.  One of my slight concerns is, if I buy a property and don't want to move in immeadiately, possibly leaving it 6 months to a year before moving over, (but popping over to renevate it at various times).  Is the place safe as far as squatters are concerned? Does anyone know the law, if someone broke in would they have rights to stay there, or would it be lots of hard work getting them out? The plan would be to buy somewhere, leaving it, and keep visiting for long weekends to repair or renavate depending on what I purchase.  Is this the correct thing to do? Or does anybody have any other ideas? I thank you for your time and look forward to hearing from any helpful souls out there. Take Care Gareth  [:D]