Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Other subjects
Original poster

rental property in France

21 replies

nannyme · 08/04/2006 20:35

We are seriously considering moving to France but have always rented and will probably be renting for several years to come due to neither of us having any kind of savings so that we might buy a property anywhere.

I have been trying to find information on renting long term in France but can only find stuff on holiday rentals which isn't what we are after at all.

We currently rent at £1200 per month for a small three bed place. We used to live in the North West which was far cheaper and kept ducks and grew veg. Our cost of living is far higher now that we no longer do this and we want to go back to some degree of self sufficiency and so are looking at rural france.

If anybody has any info that might help us we'd be extremely grateful.

TIA

OP posts:
milward · 08/04/2006 20:40

Contact agents immobilier in the region you want to live (usually a website for their business) google immo & the name of the town/areaplus get the local paper & see what's for rent. When you go to the region look out for louer notices on property.

milward · 08/04/2006 20:45

just googled immo france louer & got loads of sites to go

Original poster
nannyme · 08/04/2006 20:49

Sorry if I came across as pathetic there. I have been Googling away like crazy but only found short term rentals. I'll check out your google milward...thanks

OP posts:
milward · 08/04/2006 20:53

didn't come across like that at all!!! hope you find something. What region are you thinking of?

milward · 08/04/2006 20:56

check out www.immofrance.com/index_rentals.htm

Original poster
nannyme · 08/04/2006 21:02

Well I'd love a place in Poitou Charentes but this isn't the cheapest of areas as far as I know - not the most expensive either but I'm sure we could go cheaper.

We have family in Spain who don't fly (??!) so, although they currently drive to GB quite frequently, would like to be nearer them. I would also like to be able to fly into London fairly easily on a regular basis as my family live near London. Also may need to carry on my business for a little while until we found our feet abroad so this would require occasional commuting to London.

I have to admit, although this is something we have been looking into for the last three years, we are very scared, feel very lacking in knowledge but also feel that we have to be brave if it is going to happen!

Are you in France milward, I have read some of your posts here but can't recall your situation!

OP posts:
milward · 08/04/2006 21:11

hi nannyme - I don't know the area you'd like to move to. We're thinking of buying a house & it can be a tricky process. With renting get check really well through the contract before you sign! plus what equipment will be in the house - sometimes the kitchen isn't all there.

Original poster
nannyme · 08/04/2006 22:25

Thanks for all the lovely info milward - where are you looking at living?

I have found loads of property for about a quarter of what we are paying in rent. Er, why aren't we living there NOW?!!!

What are your plans work/life wise. I find it all very exciting and inspiring!

OP posts:
milward · 08/04/2006 22:54

Happy you've found some properties!

Just thinking about the renting & buying equation - we pay out each month but could be paying for our own house! Agree property can be cheaper but no actual surveys are done as a matter of course - so can be buyer beware! We're not in your region but there might be some mumsnetters that are? (sorry to be vague here!!)

best wishes xxx

Rhubarb · 08/04/2006 23:04

Ok, we rent in France. Let me tell you a little story, hope you are sitting comfortably? Then I shall begin!

Once upon a time ago we thought it would be a good idea to move to France. We came over in a caravan. Anyway, cut to the chase. We were filmed by the BBC. We had money, the proceeds from our house sale. I got a part time job and we thought it was about time we got a proper house. We found a lovely little flat for rental in Bordeaux, just our type! BUT, being France they wanted paperwork, lots of paperwork! We didn't have the right income - I was only working part time, so no steady income. The money we had was useless to them because it was in England, we offered to transfer to a bank over here, but that wasn't good enough. What you need is either a French guarantor (like that's ever gonna happen!), with the right income or you are fucked!

We got lucky! We got a travel agent who felt sorry for us and contacted a private landlord, we had to tie up a certain amount in a bond and I think she pulled a few strings for us. But even now, we have lived her for 2 years but dh has a temp job, one or two weeks contracts at a time and we know we would not get another house to rent so easily.

If you want anymore info you can CAT me and I'll help all I can. But your best bet is to go private and have lots of luck!

Rhubarb · 08/04/2006 23:05

Oh, I forgot to say, the BBC stepped in, they offered to be our guarantors, the agencies said no because they weren't French therefore not reliable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

milward · 08/04/2006 23:11

Goodness Rhubarb what an experience. For the rental contract, if I understand it right, you need to put down a deposit & pay from a bank account the monthly rent? You need that the bank will understand were the money will be coming from every month. Loads of people rent in france - in the uk I find it more unusual to be a renter but not across the channel!

Rhubarb · 08/04/2006 23:16

We had a French bank account and everything, that wasn't good enough. You have to have an income that covers the rent, if you don't then no amount of money in an English bank will make up for that and we were not prepared to transfer our thousands into a French bank at a high price just to satisfy the bloody bureaucrats!

milward · 08/04/2006 23:18

didn't know that rhubarb - what a thing to happen - transfering funds can be costly as well.

Rhubarb · 08/04/2006 23:24

I wish whoever is thinking of doing this, lots of luck! And as a word of warning, France is going through a rough patch, high unemployment and dissatisfaction with the changes in employment law, strikes and general unrest. Might be worth putting it off for now.

Original poster
nannyme · 09/04/2006 00:47

Food for thought rhubarb.

We currently pay our British rental in 6 month blocks in advance. I wonder if this would be another way of overcoming the guarantor problem. We are screwed over here with the guarantor thing as my parents who are happy to act as guarantor don't earn enough to cover our rental. Hence, we rent privately in GB too so are used to the pitfalls of so doing.

Thanks for offer of advice via CAT.

OP posts:
jampots · 09/04/2006 00:49

a friend of mine has a house in ariege near Foix

Original poster
nannyme · 09/04/2006 03:10

For rent jampots?

OP posts:
lummox · 09/04/2006 08:42

not renting, but bought in the Pas de Calais - we both work part time, a bit from home, a bit from London and it works really well.

there are plenty of rentals round here (although it's nowhere near Spain so prob no good for you). why not head to the region you are interested in an check out the estate agents. for sure there is plenty of bureaucracy, but also a lot of people to help you round it.

def agree with Rhubarb about the economy at the mo - if you can make it work to carry on working in the UK (or operating a UK business so you are earning English money) but live out here that might be safer.

ggglimpopo · 09/04/2006 09:34

Renting from brits is probably your easiest option. Try the often grimly expat, but useful \link{http://www.livingfrance.com/\forums}

I have a French friend who rents in Arcachon, near Bordeaux, and has a gorgeous house by the sea for a pittance. Summer rentals there are sky high, but year round renting seems dirt cheap (think she is paying equivalent of around £400 a month for a three bed house with garden). She is a single parent with no (obvious) income, and is renting privately - "particular".

I heard on radio 4 on Friday that 80% of Brits go back in under 3 years. Shock.

Do you speak French and what work would you do?

Rhubarb - sorry never go back to you, the doorbell never stopped, then dh got home, then it was the weekend..... will try again today as am minus one child and dh Wink

jampots · 09/04/2006 10:50

he bought it and did it up for a holiday rental but has recently agreed to rent it for 8 months from September. I am sure his friend has another in the same village though. Apparently completely unspoilt area

New posts on this thread. Refresh page