Leaving an empty house

[betty]

I am planning a long holiday and not knowing the ‘rules’ can anyone give advice or information please?

 

I am having difficulty finding out if La Poste offer a service to hold all mail at the post office. Has anyone used this service if in fact it does exist?

(I have no address to divert mail to and no one that would empty my mail box).

 

 

Is it advisable to notify my local gendarmerie of my absence?

 

Does the house insurance company need to be notified?

 

Thank you.

[ngh]

Have you thought of asking a local letting agent to look after your home? or even a neighbour. where abouts are you?

[Kitty]

Find a house sitter.  There is a website that covers France but I don't know its name.  Most charge a small daily sum but some will do it for nothing.

[gosub]

[quote user="betty"]

I am planning a long holiday and not knowing the ‘rules’ can anyone give advice or information please?

 

I am having difficulty finding out if La Poste offer a service to hold all mail at the post office. Has anyone used this service if in fact it does exist?

(I have no address to divert mail to and no one that would empty my mail box).

 

 

Is it advisable to notify my local gendarmerie of my absence?

 

Does the house insurance company need to be notified?

 

Thank you.

[/quote]

It depends on how long you are planning to be away, but the services you require are available from La Poste for holding your mail. some info on the links below. Do alert the gendarmerie of your absence.

http://reexpedition.laposte.fr/reel/aide/faq/theme8/stheme1.do

http://reexpedition.laposte.fr/reel/aide/faq/theme7/stheme1.do

[cooperlola]

When I first went to introduce myself to our maire (a while ago now) she said that I should tell her if we were to be away for a long time and she or one of her bods would keep an eye on our house. Nice gesture I thought, although I guess only practical in a small commune.

[betty]

Thank you all for your replies. Where? A remote part of dept.22.

I do not like the idea of a house sitter, the thoughts of a perfect stranger occupying my house, mounting up at my expense the electric and water bills to name but just two could be too much to bear but thanks for the advice anyway.

 

[8-)]