do you get deeds???

[cowoman]

was just wondering if the french have deeds for their houses as we do in England.Can someone tell me what you actually get in your hand when you buy a house in france.Can you trace any of the history with any of the documents/ We are taking possesion any day soon of an old stone  house

thankyou in advance

[Anton Redman]

Basically no. It is like most of the UK with all details held on equivalent of the land registry. The recitals normally explain how the person selling came to own the house but it does not go much further back than that. You also do not get a formal copy of the final Acte with the plans for some months. Census information and old maps are available in some areas.

[Weegie]

In due course you will receive,from your Notaire, a file containing a copy of the Acte de Vente  along with a document detailing taxes paid to the State in respect of the purchase, all duly registered with the appropriate authorities.  These documents constitute the equivalent of Title Deeds.  I our case it took about two months but it does vary.

You may also receive a small refund from the Notaire as normally they slightly overestimate the costs to save having to chase for more!  It wouldn't be wise to book an expensive holiday on the strength of the possibility [:D]

In our case the Acte etc contains some history of the property but how much, if any, willdepend on the nature of the property and how long it has been in existance.

Someone may be along to amplify the above.

PS as AR says the primary documents are lodged elsewhere.