News

Following are articles, hints and tips on buying, selling and covering various aspects of France. We will keep you up to date with information on Tax, Inheritance and rental taxation as well as living the French lifestyle.

Rise in French property prices in regions favoured by overseas buyers
Despite the well publicised stock market instabilities and eurozone debt crisis property prices in France are rising, especially in regions favoured by overseas buyers.

Local French Property Taxes for 2011
With the arrival of autumn local rates bills have started to drop through letterboxes, and there are substantial differences across the country

French mortgage trends: French bank closes to non-residents, as mortgage rates set to fall further
September saw more attention than usual on the French banks as the media spotlight turned on those banks holding large quantities of Greek debt.

Property Taxes Rise in Austerity Budget
In a major change of policy the French government has abolished the current relief from capital gains tax for second home owners.

Fixture and Fittings in Property Sale Contracts
What is the difference between ‘fixtures’ and ‘fittings’ in French property law?

Mortgage Delays and Sale Contracts
A delay in obtaining a mortgage approval does not invalidate a property sale contract, a French court has ruled.

Tenant Rights on Furnished Rentals
Just because you let your property on a furnished basis does not mean your tenants do not enjoy security of tenure.

Engaging An Architect in France
Engaging an architect should bring substantial additional added value to your building project, provided you set about the process with care.

Sterling/Euro Currency Review Q2 2011
Sterling performed disappointingly against the euro throughout the second quarter, but over the medium term the Euro could still collapse.

South West France High Speed Line Finalised
The detailed route of the proposed high-speed rail network for the South-West has been revealed.

Auto route Toll Rates in France
Toll rates on auto routes in France vary by as much as 700% from the most expensive to the cheapest.

Swimming pools make a splash
With most of France sizzling under a heatwave over the past few weeks, the construction of a private swimming pool has never been more popular.

Who Pays the Rates on a Rental Property?
In certain circumstances a landlord can be held responsible for the payment of the taxe d’habitation owed by their tenant.

Tax on Holiday Homes Scrapped
The proposed tax on holiday homes in France has been scrapped by the French government.

Shake Up of Rural Councils
The local mairie, the traditional cornerstone of political and community life in France, is fast losing its raison d’être.

Summer Festivals in France 2011
A selection of the best summer festivals in France for 2011 to suit all ages and tastes.

French Mortgages, best buys
Best buys from the French banks at the moment

French mortgage trends
French banks tightening lending criteria

Sterling/Euro Currency Review Q1 2011
Sterling experienced significant losses against the Euro throughout the first quarter of 2011, but there is still some uncertainty for the Euro.

House Prices Rise by 4% in First Quarter
House prices rose by an average of 4.2% in Q1/11, but there are signs the market may drift downwards for the rest of the year.

Mortgage Rates in France
Mortgage Lenders currently operating in France, and their current loan rates and terms.

Consult Your Local Plan
Buying the right property in France is as much about finding out what is happening in the area as it is about the property itself.

Sarkozy Rules Out Taxing Principal Residence
After weeks of speculation, we can all breathe a sigh of relief: the main home is to remain exempt from capital gains tax.

French Marriage Contracts and Your Children
A couple who concealed a change in their marriage contract from their children did not commit fraud, a French court has ruled.

Who to Believe on House Prices for 2011?
Most soothsayers believe house prices in France will increase this year, but the economic and political outlook still leaves room for some doubt.

Living in France with the weaker pound – what to do
The British Pound has had to endure an absolutely torrid time over the last six months.

Social Security Shake-Up in France
Making the return to work more attractive than remaining on benefits is the key objective

Reduction in French Income Tax
French taxpayers are to benefit from a reduction in income tax this year

New Build Costs in France
A new survey provides a useful summary of house construction costs in France.

French Mortgages for Home Energy Conservation
The French government has launched an enticing package of financial incentives for home owners to undertake energy conservation works.

Dental Treatment in France
The cost of routine dental care in France is very modest, but if you seek more specialist treatment, going to your usual dentist may not be the cheapest solution.

Obligations on the Use of Chimneys and Flue Pipes in France
With a surprising number of you wondering what the rules are on chimney cleaning in France

French Restaurants Win Reduction in VAT
The French government has won a long campaign in Brussels to lower the rate of VAT in French restaurants.

Buying Prescription Glasses in France
If you want to buy a pair of spectacles or contact lenses in France, then you can only do so directly through an optician, and only then once you have first been prescribed glasses by an ophthalmologist

Legal Battle Over Cote d’Azur Property
A Russian billionaire is seeking reimbursement of a deposit of 39 million Euros he paid on the most expensive property in the world.

New Social Charges on Foreign Earnings & Pensions in France The French government is proposing to widen the net on the imposition of French social charges on foreign earnings and pensions.

Sharp Drop in French Wine Harvest for 2008
The wine harvest is taking place under sunny skies in France, but there is concern amongst many about the outlook for both production and demand.

French Banks: Best Savings Accounts Available in France
The credit crunch may well be making paupers of many of us, but those still with cash to invest can find some attractive interest rate deals

Reform of French Television 
A major reform of the French television service has been approved by the French government.The reforms presage the end of advertising

French Social Charges and UK Pensions
The French authorities are toughening their stance on the taxation of some expat early retirement pensions

French Property Market Pricing report
With house prices falling in France, and credit more difficult to obtain, cash buyers hold all the cards.

France declares war on Tax Fraud
The French government has declared war on tax and social security fraud, with an array of new anti-fraud measures introduced in the past year.

Planning Controls for Septic Tanks in France
You will soon need planning permission to install a septic tank in France, which will also need to comply with new building and performance standards.

Changes to Planning Laws in France
A change in French planning laws has made it more difficult to contest controversial new developments.

French Marriage Contracts and notaire fees
The best way for a married couple to shield themselves from French inheritance laws is to adopt a French marriage contract, but we have come across some surprising variations in the charges made by notaires.

Drop in French Wine Harvest for 2008  
The wine harvest takes place under sunny skies in France, but there is concern amongst many about the outlook for both production and demand.

Le Crédit Crunch in France, French Banks
With the world financial system in turmoil, no country is immune from the crisis, but France seems a safer bet than most.

Civil Partnerships and Property Ownership in France
France does not currently recognise a UK civil partnership, although if you are in one, you cannot then enter a French civil partnership!

Study Confirms Quality of French Healthcare 
A new American study confirms France as having the best system of healthcare in the world.

French House Building Contracts 
A recent report draws attention to the need for vigilance when it comes to signing a French house building contract.

Interest Free French Mortgages for Home Energy Conservation
Interest free mortgage loans of up to €30,000 are to be introduced for those who undertake energy conservation works in their home.

New Measures in Favour of Micro-Entreprises
The Government have introduced new measures aimed at reducing the costs of running a small business in France

Massive expansion of TGV Rail Network Planned
The French Government recently announced that it is to create around 2000 kilometres of new lines for the TGV high-speed ‘bullet’ train.

Six New Taxes Introduced in France in the Past Year
Six new taxes have been introduced in France in the past year, with new taxes currently under discussion

Tax Increase on French Rental and Investment Income
The tax payable on rental income, capital gains, dividends, and life insurance policies is to increase from January 09 to finance changes to the system of social security benefits

World’s Most Expensive House on the Cote d'Azur?
A Russian tycoon is reputed to have paid nearly €500 million for a property on the Cote d’Azur

Glam it up on the French Riviera with a property in St Tropez
It's where high rollers and Hollywood actors go to party, where yachts.......

French Property Finance
Why it might be cheaper to invest with a euro mortgage

French Alpine Property On the Up
Holidaymakers shun coastal resorts for summer in the Alps.

Capital Gains for Those Selling Their French Home
What French capital gains tax do you pay if you decide to sell a second home in France? We thought it might be useful if we took you through an example of how it works.

France is Top for Quality of Life
New poll votes France the best country to live in.France has been voted the number one destination in the world for quality of life in International Living's 2008 Quality of Life Index.

Radar black spots in France
France has over a thousand radars on its roads and motorists are being caught out most frequently in some of the unlikeliest places.

House Market in France Continues To Slow
The housing market continued to slow over the first half of the year, with difficult credit conditions holding back strong underlying demand.

Changes to the France-UK Double Taxation Treaty
A new double taxation treaty between France and the UK was signed on 19 June 2008, containing both good and bad news.

Brits Top List of Second Home Owners in France
British buyers continue to dominate the list of international owners of French property, accounting for around one third of all foreign owned second homes in France

The UK property slump drives buyers to France
The rising cost of mortgages and prohibitively expensive property prices are driving increasing numbers of first time buyers overseas according to property experts.

French property investment potential holds up well despite credit crunch
A foreign exchange specialist has seen monthly enquiries for France rise by over 34% since February, still a top destination for Brits buying overseas property.

Buy to Let Schemes throughout France
Buy to let properties in France offer significant tax benefits to investors, but you need to choose your property and area with care.

You could lose up to 4% of your money when exchanging currency with your bank!
You'll be pleased to hear that due to the highly volatile nature of exchange rates and the impact they have on the cost of buying an overseas property, nvillas Ltd have chosen to partner with the foreign currency experts Halo Financial to help you obtain the best exchange rate when buying your dream property abroad.

French Land Registry Plans Go On line
The French tax authorities have recently placed on line the land registry plans, providing yet another useful source of property information for international French property buyers.

New UK flights to France with Flybe
Flybe, Europe’s largest low cost regional airline, launches its first flights of the summer season, bringing 34 new routes to UK travellers, with seats available for booking throughout the summer at www.flybe.com. 

Looking forward to a spectacular 2008
Thank you, clients and agents alike for a wonderful 2007.We are now looking forward to 2008 being even better.We are adding new features to the site, that will be rolled out over the next few months.

 

School holidays in France
School holidays vary throughout the country, so please check the relevant area for the dates of that region, shown below;

Buying property in Southern France

You’ve decided you want to buy a home in Southern France. So what do you need to do next to realise your dream of living over there?

Advantages of a villa with pool in the South of France

If you haven’t got a pool on your villa property and want one please take note…

French property leasebacks: your questions answered

You may have come across leaseback property for sale in France in your property searches. What is this unique French property scheme?

Looking at villas for sale in France

You’re interested in buying a villa in France. It's a good idea to start the process by holidaying in the area where you want to buy.

Buying building land plots in Southern France

You’ve decided to buy a land plot in Southern France. What’s the next step?

French property owned through an SCI: taxation in the UK

UK tax details for buying a French property in an SCI

French gîtes for sale: what you need to know

If gites are your French property choice make sure you do your homework first.

Buying a gîte in France?

Gîte properties offer plenty of opportunity for healthy property investment in France.

Want to live and work in France?

You’re looking at French regions you would like to settle in. You’re also looking at French property for sale in your budget range.

Leaseback properties in France.

Questions about leaseback properties in France.

Financing your new property abroad.

When financing an overseas property, the moving currency market will change the price you pay for your new home.

A tenth of Britons are now moving overseas.

Results show that now a tenth of the British population are moving abroad for a better quality of life....

Sterling/Euro Currency report for June 2006.

Following steady gains made by sterling in early May, the euro recovered some of its losses later in the month as the market factored in the anticipated 25 basis point rate hike expected in early June. It is at this time that the euro is most affordable....

Report from French Notaires.
A report of property prices and region popularity on assesment from traffic through French notaires offices....

Law changes on inheritance, ownership ‘en indivision’, gifts, PACS and changes of matrimonial regime.
New laws for inheritance, ownership, gifts and matrimony, to take effect in January 2007, affecting foreigners and property inheritance in France.

A French succession.
Issues surrounding a French succession and how it operates.......

 Finance law for 2006, income tax, wealth tax and others.
Following are the main changes introduced by the Finance Law for 2006 concerning income tax and wealth tax, as well as other new provisions, read on to see where you stand on your tax this year.

Finance laws for 2006 covering gift and inheritance tax.
Following are a number of reforms in relation to gift and inheritance tax with the principal objective of reducing these taxes. These are the main changes introduced by the Finance Law for 2006.

Swimming pool safety systems.
Now all swimming pools, for personal or rental use must have a safety system to protect the users or face a high penalty.

New laws for lead in homes.
Changes to the lead legislation have now come into force. Read on to see how it will affect your home.

French Calendar Dates
Listing all the French public holiday dates you need for your diary, for 2008 and 2009.

 

Links of interest Visit our links to find out more about France and sites that may be of interest to you. More