Buying a property in France - things to watch out for

[mammmamia]

Any advice? I speak French and have lived there and trying to help PIL buy a ski chalet.

I can understand the documents but it would be good to know any pitfalls from anyone with experience.

I have pmd you.

Have they already found a property?

Make sure the compromis has the relevant clauses suspensives so that if there are any surprises with the surveys or any loan requirements then you can get out of the compromis de vente.

Make sure that the property (if it is not on mains drainage) has a fosse septique that conforms to the norms.

Get a thorough inventory as to what is being left and what is being taken. It is normal to remove fittings, even down to the kitchen units, the curtain rails, the light fittings (and bulbs) etc. If they want anything left it should be noted.

Thank you that’s helpful. Yes they have already found a property and I have been going through the documents.

Following this with interest as we are considering buying.

As you have lived in France I assume you are familiar with the VERY different inheritance laws to thos of Britain.

British parents would be leaving under British inheritance laws.

A new EU directive from 17th August 2015 allows expatriates living in the EU to elect for the succession law of their country of nationality to apply on their death, as opposed to that of their country of residence.

After March 2019 Britain will no longer be an EU country. So it puts into question wether the inheritance directive will be available to non EU nationals.
Brexit touches and makes uncertain so many aspects of life.

gfplux
Well yes I have lived there but as a student and worked there a bit but no I don’t know anything about inheritance laws, can you elaborate a little?

Children are entitled by law to at least half the deceased's estate. Surviving spouse to a quarter. Those are basic figures, for more children their share increases. This is by law. You can't change it. So in a ski chalet case it may be less important (holiday hone rather than primary residence) - maybe not a but it means if one partner does, the spouse does not own the chalet. So sale of the chalet would not give spouse 100% of proceeds. They'd get their 50% (make sure both names on deeds) plus 25% of spouse's half.

There are more details but that's the headliner.

More info: www.french-property.com/guides/france/finance-taxation/inheritance/rights/

Mammmamia it is as described by Soaring. It is called “forced” inheritance. Under U.K. inheritance laws you can leave all your property and money to a cats home, or a dogs home.
In FRANCE and many European Countrys the forced inheritance laws are there to ensure that for example children can not be completely disinherited.
Recently an EU directive had allowed a Brit to have propert in FRANCE and in othe EU country’s distributed to the heirs according to their British will.
Now with Britain leaving the EU in 7 months this law MAY no longer apply to a British citizen as they will no longer be an EU citizen.
This is all VERY complicated and I only have a very simple understanding of it all.