Second-home protests in Brittany: 'But we buy homes French don't want'Connexion reader Siobhán McCarthy argues that their owners contribute to the local economy and renovate homes that would otherwise go unsold
Protests against second homes in Brittany as housing debate continues Protester demands include only allowing permanent residents to buy housing, and a limit on short-term rentals - but one local official called the stance ‘an attack on individual property’
French home renovation: Must I replace bath with a walk-in shower?A new law means it must be possible to put a walk-in shower into all newly built homes to help elderly and people with disabilities. We look at which properties this covers
Buying a second home in France with a family loanPartner article: What is the impact on taxes and inheritance when buying a property in France with a family loan from the UK?
Visitor visa for France: How do we prove we own our second home?Part of the paperwork required for a temporary long-stay visa is documentation showing where you will be living. If you own the property it will affect the income amount you must show
Visa for British second-home owners in France: How often can we apply?British visitors are starting to make use of visas to spend extended time in France, post-Brexit. We answer a recent reader question on calculating visa and other visiting periods
New shed or pool at your French home? Remember the taxe d’aménagementWe look at the rates for this tax which applies to projects that require planning permission or prior declaration, who pays it and when
MP wants to cut capital gains on French second homes (in some cases)A possible new law would remove the tax if sellers invest some of the gain into business ventures
Marseille joins other French cities to impose maximum second home taxThe city’s municipal council is looking to increase a taxe d’habitation surcharge from 20-60% to encourage owners to return properties to the rental market
French property market news: October roundupOur pick of stories for property owners in France from the last month
Why do we pay higher taxes on our French second home than friends do? Taxe d’habitation and taxe foncière are based on a property’s 'valeur locative cadastrale', a theoretical rental value set by the tax authorities, which can depend on many factors
Can I change my second home to my main one in France for tax purposes?Tax considerations for this move include local tax bills on properties that are main homes verses secondary as well as ‘taxe d’habitation’ and capital gains tax
Second-home owners: Can I alternate two months in France and UK?The regulations of the '90/180 day' rule are that at any one time when you are in the area, you must not have spent more than 90 days there in the last 180-day period
French property market news: September roundupOur pick of stories for property owners in France from the last month
Buying a home in France: Electricity report is for buyer to deal withElectrical anomalies are not always serious but it is best to be transparent with the buyer
How to include a French holiday home in a UK will?John Kitching, a director of French Law Consultancy Limited, answers a reader query on options for those with property in France but living and building a will in the UK
What accommodation proof do second-home owners need for French travel?The Foreign Office says second-home owners should be able to prove they own or rent accommodation with evidence such as a tax or utility bill
Gendarmes’ 9-point plan to keep your home safe when away on holidaySigning up for a free police ‘drive by and check’ scheme are among simple steps recommended to protect your empty property from burglars
Houses in Brittany ‘should only be sold to local people’A new councillor for the Brittany regional council has demanded a resident-only rule for house sales saying rising prices for holiday homes are preventing locals from getting on the property ladder
Second-home owners: How long until French property can be main home?Depending on whether you are moving from outside France or within, your main residence will be such once you have established yourself there with the intention to stay
Second-home owners: Can we apply for a long-stay visa while in France?After applying online for a long-stay visa, you must visit a visa office in person – in London, Edinburgh or Manchester
How do we connect our French holiday home to public drainage?Speaking to the local mairie in order to obtain authorisation is the first step and they might also be able to recommend a firm to carry out the work
