Property for sale in France

Calculation tools (conversion tools)

www.entenial.com - Calculator (Entenial)

Area Conversion

www.entenial.com - Mortgage Calculator (Entenial)

www.entenial.com - Notary Expenses (Entenial)

Estate Agents

Highly regulated in France, Estate Agents must be professionally qualified. Displayed in their office must be; his/her professional Charter (The Charter of Property and Business Transactions), Financial Guarantee document for at least 328,000 euro (if it is less than 328,000 euro he is not entitled to handle a clients money).

Federation of Estate Agents (France); www.fnaim.fr

Pas-de-Calais

Boulogne - Dieppe - Le Havre - Roscoff - Saint Malo

France

123immo SA, 8 rue Jean Jaurès. 81470. Cuq-Toulza. France. Tel: 0033 826 00 31 31. Fax: 0033 563 70 82 86. www.123immo.com

Abbott Management (property search Provence), Tel: 020 7225 1995. Fax: 0207 225 1905. Fax: 0207 7225 1905.

Agence Globe (Gers, Lot and Garonne), Tel: 0033 562 59 01 46. Fax: 0033 562 59 01 47.

Agence Hamilton, Tel: 0033 468 72 48 38. Fax: 0033 472 62 26 68. www.agence-hamilton.com

Authentic France, 27 Gresham Road, London. E6 6DS. Tel: 020 8471 8600. Fax: 020 8471 8600.

Agence Pierre Chretien - JB Transactions (Auvergne), 4 rue Montgolfier, 63600. Ambert. France. Tel: 0033 473 82 16 74. Fax: 0033 473 82 28 86.

Agence Vallée des Rois (Loire Valley), rue de l'Hotel de Ville, 49250. Beaufort en Vallée, France. Tel: 0033 241 45 22 22. Fax: 0033 241 57 13 21. www.loireproperty.com

AGERIM Côte d'Azure, 6, av. de Suéde, F-06000, Nice. France - . Tel: 0033 497 03 04 05. Fax: 0033 493 88 26 26.

Alpine Apartments Agency, Tel: 01544 388 234.

Alpine Residences (Alpine areas), 5 Sky Business Park, Eversley Way, Egham, Surrey. TW20 8RF. Tel: 01784 471 377. Fax: 01784 435 248.

A House in France Ltd., - Tel: 020 8959 5182.

Beaches International, Tel: 01562 885 181.

Brittany - Tel: 0871 717 4163. Charente - Tel: 0871 717 4164. Normandy - Tel: 0871 717 4162.

- Collot Immobilier, 7, rue Dragut, 20137 Porto Vecchio. Tel: 0033 495 70 30 47. Fax: 0033 495 70 30 47. (CORSICA)

 - Sue ELLIOT. Tel: 0033 553 61 91 89. www.green-acres.com

Erna Low, Tel: 020 7584 2841.

Francophiles. Tel: 01622 688 165.

French Property Links - . www.frenchpropertylinks.com

- FrenchProperty Service, property for sale on the net. www.frenchpropertyservice.com

- French Property Shop (South West France), Clergyhouse, Churchyard, ashford. TN23 1QG. Tel: 01233 666902. Fax: 01233 666 903. www.frenchpropertyshop.com

Hamptons, Tel: 020 7589 8844.

Hexagon France Limited, Webster House, 24 Jesmond Street, Folkestone. Kent. CT19 5QW. (Brittany, Normandy, Pas-de-Calais, Picardie). Tel: 01303 221 077. Fax: 01303 244 409.

J. B. French Houses (Brittany & Normandy), Tel: 02392 297 411. www.jbfrenchhouses.co.uk

Leigniel Immobilier, agence de Sens (Bougogne), 14, Place Victor Hugo . Tel: 0033 386 65 20 58. Latitudes French Property Agents, Grosvenor House, 1 High Street, Edgware. Middlesex. HA8 7TA . Tel: 020 8951 5155. www.loireproperty.com

Le Lion immobilier, 34, place du Lion d'Or. 59800. Lille. Tel: 0033 320 13 81 81. Fax: 0033 320 13 85 84. (Lille). www.lelionimmobilier.fr

Live France Group (Languedoc, Normandy and the Midi-Pyrénées), Tel: 0871 717 4143. in France, 0033 4 68 45 69 19.

Maison Individuelle, Tel: 01707 376 255.

Moore Direct Properties, 9 rue d'Auray, 56150. Baud. France. Tel: 0033 297 08 01 75. Fax: 0033 297 08 01 76.

Normandy Search Agent, Tel: 0033 231 93 97 43.

- Normandy Life. 38 Roman Road, Hove. BN3 4LA. Tel: 01273 422 143. www.normandylife.com

North and West France Properties - . Tel: 020 8891 1750. Fax: 020 8891 1760.

Papillon Properties, Tel: 01799 527 809.

Paris Dream Home, Tel: 020 7820 1337. www.parisdreamhome.com

PARIS PROPERTY OPTIONS, 19 Warrior Gardens, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex. TN37 6EB. Tel: 01424 717 281. Fax: 01424 722 387.

- Premier French Property. Tel: 0800 135 79 31 (U.K.) / 0044 800 135 79 31 (outside UK). www.premierfrenchproperty.com

Properties in France, La Croix de Noël. 49390. Mouliherne. France. Tel: 0121 744 0820. www.propertiesinfrance.com

PROPERTIES 47 LTD. (Lot-en-Garonne, Gers, Beziers), Piquepe, 47130. Bazens. France. Tel: 0033 553 95 86 23. Fax: 0033 553 95 22 58.

Purlow's Gascony. Tel: 0033 562 67 61 50.

Real Estate Languedoc - Agence Immobilière, 35, rue de la Fontaine. 34480. Saint-Geniès-de-Fontédit. FRANCE. Tel: 0033 467 36 34 28. Fax: 0033 467 36 34 02. www.realestatelanguedoc.com

La Résidence, 17 St Martin's Street, Wallingford. Oxford. OX10 0EA. Tel: 01491 838 485. www.laresidence.co.uk

RURAL RETREATS (Languedoc), Tel: 01524 812 359. Fax: 01524 812 662. www.rural-retreats.com

- Sextant French Properties, Linton House, 39-51 Highgate road. NW5 1RS. London, U.K. Tel: 0 207 428 7750. "Setxant Propertiesis a network of French real estate agents. Our team of property consultants is dedicated to help you in your search of a property for sale in France. We offer properties for sale in France specialising on the following areas: Brittany, Normandy, Midi-Pyrenees, Rhone Alps, Aquitaine, Limousin and Languedoc-Roussillon." www.sextantproperties.com

Sifex (Southern France). Tel: 020 7384 1200. Fax: 0207 384 2001. www.sifex.co.uk

SIMONS (most regions) - PO Box 1737, Fordingbridge, Hampshire. SP6 3QN. Tel: 01425 653 355. Fax: 0870 705 8458. www.enfrance.co.uk

Snow & Sea, Tel: 020 7494 0706.

Transaxia - La Châtre, 178 Route Nationale, 36400. La Chatre . Tel: 0033 254 06 00 60.

VEFUK, Tel: (U.K.) 020 7515 8660. www.vefuk.com

VIALEX INTERNATIONAL IMMOBILIER LTD., Rue Messager, 47470. Beauville. France. Tel: 0033 553 95 46 24. Fax: 0033 553 95 46 25. www.vialex.com

WATERSIDE Properties International Ltd. Tel: 01892 750 011. Fax: 01892 750 033. www.watersideproperties-int.co.uk

Finance

 - Abbey National, Les Arcades de Flandre, 70 rue Saint Sauveur, 59046. Lille. Tel: France 0033 320 18 18 17. U.K. / 0800 169 8470. Fax: 0033 320 18 18 55. Free Guide call 0033 320 18 19 80 or freephone 0800 169 84 70.

Banque Scalbert Dupont, 9, Rue Royale, BP 182, 62104. Calais. Tel: 0033 321 19 11 96Fax.; 0033 321 97 44 56.

Barclays France, Champs Elysées International Branch, 6 Rond point des Champs Elysées, 75008. France. Tel: 0033 1 44 95 13 80. Fax: 0033 1 42 25 73 60. U.K. Tel: 020 7977 4359.

- Conti Financial Services, 204, Church Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 2DJ. England. Tel: 01273 772 811. Fax: 01273 321 269. www.mortgagesoverseas.com

- Credit Agricole, 14050. Caen. Cedex, France. Tel: 0033 231 55 67 89. www.britline.com

Entenial (French Company). www.entenial.com

French Mortgage Connection, Tel: 0800 0745 388. www.french-mortgage-connection.co.uk

MFS Partners, Tel: 01752 664777.

Norwich & Peterborough. Tel: 01733 372 006.

Kevin SEWELL Mortgages, Tel: 01380 739 198. Fax: 01380 723 249. www.netcomuk.co.uk

- Moneycorp Commercial Foreign Exchange, 2 Sloane Street, Knightsbridge. London. SW1X 9LA. Tel: 020 7823 7800. www.moneycorp.com

- Mortgage France, La Fraye Touarte, Route de Gréolières CD6. 06480. La Colle sur Loup. France. Tel: 0033 493 32 13 95. www.mortgagefrance.com

Siddalls Financial Services Ltd., Lothian House, 22 High Street, Fareham. Hampshire. PO16 7AE. Tel: 01329 288 641. Fax: 01329 281 157. www.siddalls.net

Templeton Associates, Rivers Street Place, Julian Road, Bath BA1 2RS. Tel: 01225 422 282. Fax: 01225 422 2879. www.templeton-france.com

Woolwich, Tel: 020 8298 4400

Foreign Exchange (exchanging money)

Caxtonfx, 2 Motcomb Street, London. SW1X 8JU. Tel: 0845 658 2223 / 0207 201 0509. www.caxtonfx.com

- Currencies 4 less. Bakery Place, Altenburg Gardens, London SW11 1JQ, England. Tel: 020 7228 7667Fax.; 0207 228 76 78. www.currencies4less.com

Foreign Currency Direct Ltd. The Old Malt House, Currencies Court, Old Amersham. Buckinghamshire. HP7 0HL. Tel: 0800 328 5884 / 0044 1494 725 353. Fax: 01494 727 041 / 0044 1494 727 041. www.currenciesdirect.com

Halewood International Foreign Exchange (HIFX Ltd), Mistress Pages House, High Street, Windsor. Berks. SL4 1LD. Tel: 01753 859 159. Fax: 01753 859 169. www.hifx.co.uk

Sucden (U.K.) Limited, 5 London Bridge Street. London. SE1 9SG. Tel: 0207 940 9663. www.sucden.co.uk

French terms (more property words/phrases)

Acte de Vente - Deed of sale

Compromis de vente - commitment to sell (binds seller and buyer)

Conditions suspensives - a condition that states the contract will only become binding if certain things happen.

Mandate Exclusive - a mandate where the vendor entrusts all the negotiations to a single agent for a specified period.

Mandate Simple - a mandate where the vendor still reserves the right to negotiate in the sale.

Notaire - lawyer

Promesse de vente - promise to sell (only binds seller)

House Insurance (Travel insurance)

Land Measurements

1 Hectare = 10,000 square metres = 2.5 acres (approx)

8,000 square metres = 2 acres (approx)

4,000 square metres =1 acre (approx)

2,000 square metres = 0.5 acres (approx)

10 Ares =1000 square metres = 0.25 acre (approx)

1 Are = 100 square metres

Magazines for French Property Buyers

- Notaries

A Notary in France is a public officer responsible to the Ministry of Justice. They have to ensure that all the requirements of French Law are satisfied, and that all taxes are paid. They cannot advice you and you should consider engaging your own solicitor. When you buy a property in France the money is always paid directly to the Notary, not the vendor. Title deeds must also be signed in front of a Notary.

Other Measurements

Points to consider when buying

See as many properties as possible

Choose a lawyer who speaks French and understands the French legal system

Be aware of the inheritance laws before you sign any document

Remember that the notaire acts for both parties

Don't even think of gazumping - it's illegal in France. Once an offer has been accepted, no others will be considered.

Once the deposit is paid the deal is binding

Estate agents fees can be split between the vendor and the purchaser. Check before you proceed.

Always check the cost of installing services should they be needed - it could be prohibitive.

Add about 10% of the purchase price as a guide to buying costs.

There is no leasehold in France so find out about management arrangements when buying a flat.

Property Shows

Free tickets on 01323 726040. www.french-property-news.com

Property Taxes

There are two taxes on all residential property (houses and flats). These are collected by the State for the local authority's. These taxes are assessed at individual rates according to location and can vary substantially. Ask your estate agent for these details when you are looking at properties to buy.

1 - Taxe foncière. As the owner of a property on the first day of January, you are liable for paying this tax which is due for payment by October/November. Penalties or fines are added for late payment, but it is possible to arrange a monthly payment scheme.

2 - Taxe d'habitation. The occupant of the property on the first day of January is liable for paying this tax. Even if you only use the property on occasional visits, if it is furnished and supplied with water and electricity you are liable for this tax.

Swimming Pools

PBL (Piscines, Bateaux, Loisirs), Rue Joseph Arnal - ZAE de Bresles. 60510. Bresles. Tel: 0033 344 07 00 98. Fax: 0033 344 07 12 09.

Splash Pools, Platts Road, amblecote. Stourbridge. DY8 4YR. Tel: 01384 390 380. Installation throughout France.

Workshops / Courses

Living France Magazine runs a serie sof workshops for people interested in buying a property in France. www.livingfrance.com / SUBSCRIBE

Other Information

The Federation of International Property Developers and Agents. Tel: 020 8941 5588.

Ideas for housebuilding (in French). www.ideesmaison.com

- AVF. Settling in in France? This organisation can help. Aims include: To provide a "welcome service" for anyone who has moved to a new area. To help newcomers to meet new people. To improve the quality of life of each town and to contribute to the development of the region. AVF is a national association with 400 local branches throughout France, run by trained volunteers. www.avf.asso.fr

Services - this section lists many companies, services and individuals who may be of assistance when buying a property in France.

Architects

Cedric Mitchell Architects, Tel: 01834 831 100. www.about-architects.com

Builders / Property Maintenance

- Artisan Anglais. Find an English speaking artisan in France. www.artisan-anglais.com

British Builder, Tel: 0033 321 09 15 25.

La Garde Maison, Tel: 0033 243 00 69 47.

Gites 'R' Us, Tel: 01526 353 765.

Le Manche Property Services, Tel: 0033 233 91 62 84.

Welby (Brittany), Tel: 0033 296 87 57 37.

- Rural Rénovations, L'Oriardiere, 53700 St Germain De Coulamer. France. Tel: 0033 243 0349 94. Fax: 0033 243 03 49 94. ruralrenovation.free.fr

Welby (Brittany), Tel: 0033 296 87 57 37.

SIRET numbers

Check if your artisan is legally registered and entitled to work in France.

- Infobilan. Type in the number to see if it is legal. www.infobilan.com

Cofracerating. Surname, name and number checked. www.cofacerating.fr

- Infogreffe. Surname, name and number checked. www.infogreffe.fr

- Societe. Quite a detailed check. www.societe.com

What is a SIRET number?

Information from; www.artisan-anglais.com

The SIRET number is an identification number for each French business. It is unique to that business and legally linked to a particular person. If several people engage in similar activities at the same geographical location then each must have their own SIRET number. The SIRET number is also linked to the geographical site as well so the same legal person should get a different SIRET number if his activity takes place in several different locations.

It is set up by the INSEE (Institut National de la Statistique et des Etudes Economiques ) in the framework of the system SYRENE. (Système National Informatique pour le Répertoire des Entreprises et des Etablissements)  The SIRET number is made up of several different identifiers and is unique to the particular business. Companies (entreprises) who run several businesses in different areas must have a SIRET number for each business and different establishments who work individually in the same location must also have individual SIRET numbers.

The SIRET consists of 14 digits. The first 9 numbers are the SIREN number for the business. The first 8 digits have no significance except for administrative purposes and to organisations such as communes, fiscal offices etc. They identify the business as well as its location on the national list. The ninth digit is a check digit and has no link to the characteristics of the type business concerned. The SIREN is only issued once and removed from the list as soon as the business ceases to function, the owner dies or the business is dissolved. As it is legally linked to an individual, it is not transferred. The second part of the SIRET number is the NIC (Numéro Interne de Classement) which consists of 5 digits. The first 4 identify the business (or one of several businesses in the case of an enterprise running several establishments) The 5th digit is another check digit to validate the complete 14 number code.

All registered workers should be immatriculated with the Centres de Formalités des Entreprises (CFE) at their local Chambres de Commerce, Chambre de Métiers, Tribunaux de Commerce, or the URSSAF, Services Fiscaux, or regional office of the INSEE.

The only real ways to check if someone is registered for all trades they advertise are:

1. Ask to see his/her "carte d'indentification" issued by the local Chambre de Metiers which lists the trades on the card. This is a white card with green writing on the cover, and everyone has to have one.

2. Contact the Chambre des Metiers and ask direct.

3. Ask to see insurance documents for responsabilité civile and decennial which are the two obligatory insurances in France. The insurance document will show and list the items or trades which the artisan is insured to undertake.

Electricity, Gas, Water & T.V.

- Electricité de France, 2, rue Louis Murat. 75384. Paris. Tel: 0033 140 42 22 22. www.edf.fr

- Gaz de France. www.gazdefrance.com

Générale des Eaux, National domestic water supplier. www.generale-des-eaux.com

T.V. - Aerial Techniques, 59 Watcombe Road, Southbourne. bournemouth. Dorset. BH6 3LX. Tel: 01202 423 555. Fax: 01202 425 055. www.aerial-techniques.com

- France Telecom. www.francetelecom.fr

Removals

Anglo French Removals, Tel: 01622 729 911.

H. Appleyard & Sons, Denby Way, Hellaby Industrial Estate, Rotherham. Yorks. Tel: 01709 549 718. Fax: 01709 700 649.

Armishaws, Tel: 01963 34065 / 0208 995 3350.

Bishop's Move Group, Tel: 020 7498 0300. Fax: 020 7622 1794. www.bishopsmove.net

Bradshaw International. Tel: 0161 946 0809. www.britannia-bradshaw-removals.com

Cotswold Carriers, Unit 2, The Walk, Hook Norton Road, Chipping Norton. Oxon. OX7 5TG. Tel: 01608 730 500. Fax: 01608 730 600. www.cotswoldcarriers.co.uk

Callington Carriers, Valentine Road, Callington. Cornwall. PL17 7DF. Tel: 01579 383 210.

David Dale Removals, Dale House, Forest Moor Road, Harrogate. HG5 8LT. Tel: 01468 691 571. www.daviddale.co.uk

Ede Bros., Tel: 01306 711 293. Fax: 01306 711 765. www.edebros.co.uk

E.R.S. Ltd., Tel: 0033 553 93 75 52

Farrer & Fenwick Removals, Park House, 34 Bridge Street. Walton on Thames. Surrey. KT12 1AJ. Tel: 01932 253 737.

French Connexion, Tel: 01935 872 222.

French Moves, Tel: 0033 553 01 46 92.

Home to Home, Tel: 0800 783 4602.

Internationals House Removeals, Leicester. LE7 4TF. Tel: 01664 424 949. Fax: 01664 424 919. www.internationalhouseremovals.com

Langdon Removals, Tel: 0117 963 7404.

Lawlers Removals, Tel: 0114 275 10 20. www.lawlersremovals.co.uk

- Man Van London, U.K. and Europe. www.manvanlondon.co.uk

Metro Removals, Orion Way, Kettering. Northants. NN15 6NL. Tel: 01536 519 450.

Nicks Removal company Manchester Blackpool - Man and van service. Removal Company based in Manchester Northwest U.K.also Man and Van service student moves regular runs to France Scotland London and Spain. www.nicksremovals.co.uk

Pink & Jones, Tel: 01536 512 019.

Richman-Ring Ltd., Tel: 01795 427 151. www.richman-ring.com

- Removal Group, 46-48 Mere Green Road, Sutton Coldfield. Birmingham. B75 5BT. Tel: 0870 240 7432. Fax: 0121308 0810. www.removalgroup.com

Robinsons International Moving & Storage, Nuffield Way, abingdon. Oxon. OX14 1TN. Tel: 01235 552 274. Fax: 01235 553 573. www.robinsons-intl.com

Steele Removals, Tel: 0500 135 777. The Personal Moving Service, Tel: 0033 233 35 31 80. www.steelesremovals.com

Security

Solicitors

For a list of French speaking solicitors ring the Law Society of England & Wales. Tel: 0870 606 6575.

Blake Lapthorn Solicitors; Tel: 020 7430 1709. www.bllaw.co.uk

Headon Consulting, Moulin de Lahontan, 32360. Jégun. Gers. France. Tel: 0033 562 68 00 81. Fax: 0033 05 62 68 01 49. www.headdonconsulting.com

Fox Hayes, Leeds. Tel: 0113 209 8922. www.foxhayes.co.uk

Pannone & Partners solicitors, Tel: 0161 909 3000. www.pannone.com

John Howell & Co., 17 Maiden Lane, covent Garden, London. WC2E 7NL. Tel: 020 7420 0400. Fax: 020 7836 3626.

Prettys Solicitors, Elm House, 25 Elm Street, Ipswich. Suffolk. IP1 2AD. Tel: 01473 232 121. Fax: 01473 230 002. www.prettys.co.uk

Russell Cooke Solicitors, 2 Putney Hill, Putney. London. SW15 6AB. Tel: 020 8789 9111. Fax: 0208 780 1679. www.russell-cooke.co.uk

Sean O'Connor & Co. Solicitors, 2 River Walk, Tonbridge. Kent. TN9 1DT. Tel: 01732 365 378.

Stephen Smith (France) Ltd., 161 Cemetery Road, Ipswich. IP4 2HL. Tel: 01473 437 186. Fax: 01473 436 573. www.stephensmithfranceltd.com

Withers Solicitors, Tel: 020 7936 1000.

Worthwhile websites;

www.unjustis.co.uk - Exposing fraud and breach or abuse of trust in the U.K. legal professions and justice machine.

www.lawfullawyers.co.uk - Lawful Lawyers was incorporated to give the general public and lawyers/solicitors/attorneys an opportunity to discuss the results of civil or criminal cases after their decisions have been reached by the courts.