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DIGGING OUT FOUNDATIONS


Angie

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We are planning to build a garage in a couple of years when funds permit but would like to landscape part of our garden now.  In order to save mess later and ruining our planting, do we need to get permission just to dig out the area for our garage (we have not yet applied for permission to build the garage)?  It would actually involve cutting into a slope so the amount of soil we would need to shift would be quite a lot and as an opportunity has arisen to borrow a friend plus digger for a couple of days it would obviously be helpful if we could take advantage of him.  Our plot is large and we do not have any immediate neighbours and we would use the soil elsewhere on the property to level other areas out.  All the best.
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Prior to October 2007 a "terrace" could be constructed up to a height less than 60 centimetres without any formalities other than to respect statutory distances from certain objects.

Subsequently any "terrace" regardless of height requires eithe a Déclaration Préalable if under 20 square metres or a full Permis de Construire if the area is 20 square metres or larger.

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Yup, sort of  thing I would do without informing anyone; so many expats have a paranoia about regulations; suppose result of living in an over populated island.

The problem is that when they go to the Mairie about such things; after the initial surprise at the request they do indeed try their best to find some sort of regulation to please their UK residents. 

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I have to wholeheartedly agree with the above sentiments.

When I lived in France......I, like my neighbours, just got on with things....

Reading this forum, I am amazed at the desire of expats to obey 'the regulations'.........

.........any regulations, please find me some.

 

 

 

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I agree - to a degree - because whilst you might seem to 'get away' with just about anything which does not noticeably or materially change the appearance of the property problems could well emerge when it comes time to sell.

You might of course be of the opinion that this will only happen after you've been carried out in your coffin at which point it's really somebody elses problem...but...!

 

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[quote user="ErnieY"]

I agree - to a degree - because whilst you might seem to 'get away' with just about anything which does not noticeably or materially change the appearance of the property problems could well emerge when it comes time to sell.

You might of course be of the opinion that this will only happen after you've been carried out in your coffin at which point it's really somebody elses problem...but...!

 

[/quote]

I fail to see why there should be a problem, there is no large sheaf of Title Deeds as in UK to complicate the issue.

But the DDE are now getting tougher; the other day the local DDE chappie was delirious that the Admin Court had OKd the complete destruction of a house in the Vendée where the 4 DPs ( max 80 m2) bore no relation to the 400 m2 mansion which had appeared out of nowhere.

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Hi there

Yes, we are just going to level out the area and put down some gravel to park on temporarily, so will hope for the best and just go ahead with it.  One final question, in the event that our friend doesn't manage to complete the job in the time he has available, does anyone know whether you can just hire a guy with a digger and just pay him for the days work rather than for the job?  It doesn't involve any actual building or landscaping, just shifting soil from one area of the garden to another. If so, any ideas on price.  Would 200 to 300 euros for the day sound about right?

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[quote user="pachapapa"] I fail to see why there should be a problem, there is no large sheaf of Title Deeds as in UK to complicate the issue.[/quote]A smaller sheaf shall we say rather than none and I think problems can certainly emerge with the Taxe Foncière for instance which is calculated on the notional rental value of a property which can change substantially if you've made major alterations such as adding bedrooms or bathrooms etc. so if work done has not been properly declared there could be a demand for unpaid taxes.

Never having sold in France, only bought, I'm not sure but is there not a form which a seller has to complete with regard to alterations and improvements ?

 

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Reply to Dave and Olive - sorry admin removed the reply facility to your email  - very reasonable charge; whereabouts in France are you?  Useful to know in case my mate doesn't finish the work!  All the best and thanks everyone for your replies
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