cassie

We will move to France shortly but are "too young" to join the health service. We have permission to turn an outbuilding into habitation and plan to rent it out as a gite. We do not expect to get a lot of income...our idea is this should/may allow us to join the health service. We expect to be employed using the " micro entrepreneur" system. a)What taxes and cotisations will we pay on our income? b)Is there a minimum level of income we will have to reach, or cotisations we will have to pay, before we get the state healthcare benefits?

When does a "Property available for renting" become a gite?.....is it dependant on the rental time....i.e. if it is available for short ( 1-2 weeks ) does this mean it is a gite? Are there extra rules for letting out gites and, if so, where can I find out what they are? We have obtained C. U. to turn out-building into habitable dwelling and would like to be able to rent it out....are there rules about it being necessary to make it suitable for handicapped people (e.g. wide corridors, a downstairs bedroom and w.c. and kitchen)? Where do we find such information? Obviously, we need to know the answers before submitting design plans for the Permis de Construire All helpful comments appreciated

many thanks.....just john

Thanks....but to what does the 18 months relate? ..........time before Permis de construire has to be deposited at the mairie.....or time to start the work on the project?......or something else? # Thanks

Smaller...no expensive architect desired

Hi we have just got a C.U to turn an outbuilding into a dwelling for habitation in Dept 35 (Brittany) near Fougeres. We wish to carry out most of the work ourselves. Can anyone recommend someone, preferably who speaks some English, who can do the drawings and submit the plans and fill in the "Permis de construire"?

We have received a C. U. to convert an atelier into a house for habitation, but we are unsure whether to make it a house for ourselves( for when we move to France permanently) or a gite...which will very much affect the design. For how long does does the C. U last before we have to do something to stop it "expiring" and what, exactly is it that we have to do, e.g. submit a Permis de construire?

We have just received a C. U. to convert an atelier (4walls and a roof in O.K. condition) to a building for habitation. However soil is stacked against the exterior walls of the property....up to the ceiling level of the ground floor in some parts. Shall I hire a mini digger to remove the soil or will this weaken the structure? or Shall I tank interior walls.... how and what with? Shall I leave it as it is and assume the rest of the building (granite stones bonded by clay) will "breathe out" the moisture? Also, whilst I am on the subject, what is the best material for insulating walls and roof...... mineral wool/PIR/ a.n.other. How many millimeteres of PIR are equvalent to 200mm of mineral wool? and what are their relevant prices... and where is the best place to buy? All help gratefully appreciated

many thanks for message cassie

Thanks to Anton, teapot and Leo for your useful replies Cassiea9

Have applied for permission to renovate a property in France. To help fund this I am purchasing a property to renovate in U. K which needs new shower and sinks. It seems to me that shower units , mixer taps ,etc. are cheaper in France and I am considering purchasing French items. BUT......are these taps compatible with u.k. standard 15mm. diameter copper pipe? In the Brico-Depot brochure the mixers (mitigeurs) are described as having "Cartouche diam. 35mm., corps diam 40mm .....or 40mm. and 50mm respectively , or even : cartouche 25mm" How do these sizes relate to the copper pipe diameter? Obviously, I am NOT a plumber! Cassiea9

Have just bought house near Fougeres (dept 35,  E,Brittany)  and have lots of scrap metal to dispose of...too big to get in car and take to dechetterie, eg.  autoporteur, bed frames, fridge, caravan!etc. Does anyone know of a" scrap metal dealer" who will be happy to take this away for me? Dennis

Have just bought "holiday "home near Fougeres ( Dept. 35., E. Brittany).  Needs Attention to electrics. Local, French, electrician said he could start in 3-4 weeks, but now wants end May. His devis is also lacking in detail...not what I had expected.   Intend to return 5th may and need quote. Can anybody help? Lots of other building advice/work needed as and when I can afford it dennis

 I have just bought "holiday" home ancient longere near Fougeres , E. Brittany I have outbuildings with slate roofs with very many tiles missing, leading to stone wall deterioration as the clay  binder washes away I hope to have a go at repairing/replacing . Where is best place to buy slates and hooks (crochets) for fastening? Do the crochets replace nailing or do I need nails as well ? Is there any web-site/ publication which shows how to do the job ?  Any advice appreciated dennisg

Thanks Big Mac All other replies appreciated

Many thanks Clair When I asked one of the assistants at the Mairie if I would need to apply for a C. U. to renovate the  20 % of the building adjoining  our bit , she said "No..cos you are already living in the attached habitable building". Your response throws this into some doubt.  I would be grateful for your further comments. Thanks a lot

 We have just bought a longere  in dept 35 which we were hoping to renovate  but it has deteriorated very badly  since we last saw it as the roof has gone.. One part of it (20%) has been renovated and we are living in it as  holiday home, with a view to moving out permanently soon. We have been informed we are unlikely to get permission to demolish  the dangerous   60% of it cos it is 400 years old. However  the  60% of  it is beyond repair and is imminently about to fall down.  We want knock down this dangerous bit and save the other 20 %  so that we can repair it and join it to the other 20 % to provide a decent sized house. If it is left to fall down ...it may take down ALL of it ......(a builder reckons the 20% we live in and a further 20 % should be O.K.) What should we do ? What happens if we apply for permission to demolish 60 % and this is refused and then it falls down ? They cannot make us re-build it...can they?....nobody has that much money, as it is enormous!! Advice appreciated

Have just returned from completeing on our "project" in Dept. 35.  Visited Mairie to discuss the possibility of turning 2 outbuidings into gites.  The mayor indicated this was unlikely (but it would take 6-12 months to obtain official decision) because the buildings were" within 100 metres of a building that might contain farm animals." Has anybody heard of this restriction before and is there any way around it? Thanks  

We hope to complete soon on property in dept 35 (Ille et Vilaine). There are currently an unused fournil (small detached dwelling formerly used for baking bread) and an atelier (large detached building,  shell only ) which we hope to turn into gites. If we do not wish to change the number of windows and doors,  do we need to apply for a C. U. and, if so, which type?  In this case and , assuming we get go-ahead, am I right in assuming we  need only a Declaration de Travaux and not a Permis de Construire? What V.A.T. rate should we be charged for any work carried out? Are there any registered builders out there who want to give us advice/quotations? Thanks dennisg  

Hoping to complete soon on holiday (and DIY) home near Fougeres  (dept 35,,,Ille et Vilaine) .  Is it worthwhile installing  land line Or shall I buy  "pay as you go"? (what is French for this?) If I need internet I believe I can use a MacDonalds!! What is best network in this area?  Cheap calls to U.k. would be useful! Thanks dennisg

Thanks to Will et al dennisg

Thanks Will How do I get in touch?    ...Has it got a web-site Thanks Dennisg

Is there an English-speaking association near Fougeres? We hope to complete soon on a house and would like to meet up with our new neighbours for advice on: reputable builders,architects, red tape paperwork, phone and broadband packages, T.V. and satellite packages, etc. etc I have some limited French language ability Help would be much appreciated dennisg

We are currently in the process of trying to buy a house from English vendors who wish to move back to the UK. We originally agreed a price in euros but as the exchange rate changes on a daily basis this is increasing £ sterling price.  The vendors would be happy to accept a fixed sterling price......is there any way that this can logistically be arranged? Obviously we will have to pay the notaire's and estate agent's fees in euros. If the notaire had a £ sterling account it would be easy to pay in £ sterling(presumably). As he does not have such an account any advice as to how we can proceed would be appreciated   dennis

I am in the process of trying to buy a house in France but I do NOT think this will go ahead , for various reasons.  I have made a forward exchange  contract at a  better rate than is currently available and,  on maturity date,  I would like to retain the euros rather than convert it back to sterling and bring it back to the U.K......in the hope of finding another French property in the future. But  .... how can I open a French bank account, in which to deposit the money, as I will NOT have a Frech address? Any advice would be appreciated Dennis