SELLING TIPS

Let’s start with a question: ‘Do you have to hand the deeds of your property?’ Now we don’t mean the proof of sale you got at the time of the purchase, but the full deeds with the full sales file. Many of you don’t have this file. Most of the time it can be obtained from the original Notaire or his successor.

This is an essential document, as no estate agent (agent immobilier) can prepare a listing contract without a full copy. Amongst other things, it is important as it records such things as rights of way, boundary issues and the original value of the property.

Secondly, and an equally important point is to make sure you have all the correct permissions for alterations and/or extensions and that these have been properly recorded. For example, you have added a room in the attic, or changed the garage into a studio… this needs to be acknowledged and recorded by the Notaire at the time of your sale.

Many owners think they can do a lot of work on the house, as long as the local mayor knows. All too often, we hear: " He gave me a nod at the annual party, so I just went ahead.”

It’s right to keep the local mayor informed but he is only a conduit; the departement's building committee decides and gives official permission… the local Mairie just handles the demands!

Also, some homeowners are late in declaring an increase in habitable space as this can increase local taxation – this is a fatal flaw! If the tax office finds out (and they will as they can compare old with new deeds) you are liable to 5 years back taxes with penalties added on top!

So a "Permis de travaux" (work permit) is needed. It’s an official document, issued by the municipality. Have it recorded on your deeds, and make sure you have an end-of-work document too when the work is finally completed (Déclaration attestant l'achèvement et la conformité des travaux (DAACT).

There’s more useful information on this and other regulations in our free E-book ‘Selling your house’ available at this page of the france4u website