AB Real Estate
Welcome to our first Newsletter of 2011.
We have been experiencing very spring-like weather recently with temperatures reaching 22°C under the blue skies and sunshine with the almond trees in blossom and the mimosa trees already bursting into bright yellow.
This month we have articles on the historical engineering wonders grouped near Montady, Sarkozy’s controversial stand against immigrants and how to beat those high mobile tariffs. As usual we present our featured properties.
In this edition we have included articles on how to reregister your UK car in France, what you need to know if you are planning to run a Chambres d’Hôtes or Gîtes business and information about hiking in the region.
You can now find us on Facebook in addition to our Blog via our website.
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The average high temperature during December, January & February in Montpellier was
with a recorded high of 22°C and nearly 70% days of sunshine
Whether moving to France permanently or spending a lot of time down here, you will no doubt have a car, and have possibly brought your beloved and trusted char-à-banc with you from the UK. Or maybe you have realised how much cheaper it is at the moment to buy a second hand car in the UK than France. If so, then there are two things you really must do: 1) register it in France so that 2) you can get it insured.
It is unlikely that you will find an insurance company who will insure your UK registered car in France and almost as hard to find a UK firm who will permanently insure your car over here. At some point a decision has to be made - is this car staying in France for more than one month of the year (or stretching the letter of law, six months)? If the answer is yes then you must unpack your pragmatism, your administrative/bureaucratic head and a sense of humour. Oh yes, and a sunny, optimistic disposition with endless patience thrown in.
You will no doubt hear countless tales of woe on this subject, but, if you make sure you get all the forms and paperwork right, it might take longer than you could imagine, but you will get your carte grise for your car. Here is your step by step guide of what to do. It is worth checking with your local Town Hall (mairie) first in case the procedures are different or contact your local DRIRE office (Direction Régionale de L’Industrie, de la Recherche et de l’Environnement) who will send you a check-list of the documents required to register your car. You should also check with your insurance company as right hand drive cars can cost more to insure than left hand ones.
In the UK:
1. The first thing to do is notify the DVLA by
filling in section C of your V5 Registration
Document and send it to the DVA office.
They will send you a Certificate of
Permanent Export or V561 (certificat de
régularité fiscale).
2. Get a proof of purchase, for example, a
signed receipt from the previous owner
but normally the V5C is enough
3. Get a Certificate of Conformity
(attestation de conformité) from the car’s
manufacturer that states the vehicle
passes EU safety standards. This must
be in French. For modern cars this
should be no problem but it could get
more complicated for vintage or classic
cars. In France you will be charged up to
€200, or you can take it to your local
DRIRE and you will be charged up to
€100.
In France :
4. You need to go to your local tax office
(Centre des Impots) and take all your
vehicle documents and proof of identity
with you. They will give you a Certificate
of Acquisition to prove that the vehicle
belongs to you and that there are no
taxes due on it (VAT or customs duty).
5. You need to get the French equivalent of
an MOT (controle technique) if your car
is more than 4 years old. This will cost
€65-100 and you will need to take the
certificate of conformity, proof of
address, proof of identity and V5C. As a
minimum you will have to have the
headlights adjusted (certain makes of
car have this facility built in). Most
garages will be able to do this for you but
expect to pay up to €800.
6. Take all the above down to your main
Prefecture or Sous-Prefecture (normally
in your nearest main town).
To re-cap these are :
It is worth making a few photocopies of all your documents as they will take some of the originals from you and may ask for copies of others.
Your vehicle will be issued with a new registration number (immatriculation) and you will need to have new number plates fitted (up to €50).
The moral of this story, having spoken to several people who have gone through this, is to weigh up the pros and cons of it all - the costs of insurance, headlights, controle technique, fees and your valuable time against any savings in purchase price (and the wear and tear on your patience) - before making a decision whether to import a car from the UK car or simply buying one in France.
Good Samaritan laws take their name from a parable told by Jesus (Luke 10:25-37). It recounts the aid given by one traveler to another who had been beaten and robbed by bandits.
In many countries the law is designed to protect those who try and help someone from any legal repercussions should they make a mistake. They are intended to reduce bystanders' hesitation to assist for fear of litigation - a sad fact of the world we live in today.
However in France you could face prosecution if you don’t help as it is a legal requirement to assist someone who is injured. The law here states you have a duty to rescue or aid someone. So remember, in France, you cannot pass by on the other side !
In November 2010 new rules were brought in giving pedestrians priority over cars when crossing a road, and not just at specially designated crossings. They must show a clear intention to cross and vehicles are required to stop for them or face a fine of €135 or four points on their licence.
It may take a while for this to catch on, so don’t be upset if you get ‘the look’ from pedestrians if you have been considerate enough to stop to let them cross.
Unlike other countries, and even other parts of France, property prices in Languedoc-Roussillon, South of France have remained stable over the past two years
People buying properties in this region make a conscious decision to invest for the long term in the area. Among the many advantages Languedoc-Roussillon has to offer, our clients are attracted by the authentic lifestyle, climate, culture, fresh food, as well as the diversity of wine in the largest wine growing area of the world. There is a good infrastructure with easy accessibility and the region is growing in popularity with both the French and foreigners alike.
For these reasons, this area did NOT suffer during the crisis as many other areas have done.
Stable prices and a sustained demand make the Languedoc-Roussillon a safe investment and allows us to organise 100% mortgages for our clients!!
As the weather improves and Spring is popping up all over the place, now is the perfect time for walks and for taking in all the spectacular and breathtaking scenery that Languedoc-Roussillon has to offer.
There are routes all mapped out for you ranging from gentle strolls lasting one to three hours all the way through to something that could take you days. The network of marked routes extends180,000 km (108,000 miles) over France and includes some newly created ones and others that follow historical routes. Each GR (Grandes Randonnées) route has its own number and the Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre publishes a complete collection of guides. It also gives information and advice on its web site and lists information for group hikes organized by the clubs. You can download free audio-guides (in French) that describe suggested routes. www.ffrandonnee.fr
Alternatively, there are numerous guide books and sites on the internet, for example, www.everytrail.com, that list out various trails, their length, difficulty and an approximate time to complete it. You can buy maps and guides in most book shops and it is worth enquiring at your local Mairie for details of walking groups in your area (clubs de randonneur).
Most walks are clearly marked out on trees and stones along the way, and before you set off, you will usually find a map of the route at the starting point. All of these walks are listed in the 'Topo Guides' which you can find at the tourist office.
There are several companies that organise group holidays for 14-20 people. All your accommodation and meals are arranged for you and your luggage is collected in the morning and taken to the next destination while you spend the day walking, taking in the scenery and visiting sites of interest along the way. Here is just one of several sites that can be found by a simple search on the internet www.walking-languedoc.com.
So, go and dig out your walking boots, a small ruck sack and get out there to enjoy the fabulous weather and wonderful scenery !
An increasing number of our clients, keen to get out of the rat race but still needing to generate an income, look to incorporating a business within their search for a home and a new life under the Mediterranean sun. Running a Chambres d’Hôtes (bed & breakfast) or Gîtes (self-contained accommodation) is a popular option and if this is indeed the route you are planning, there are a few things that you need to be aware of.
Firstly, you must declare and register yourself at your local Mairie. If you are discovered at a later date without registering you will face a hefty fine. The Mairie must also be notified as and when there are any changes, such as the number of rooms for letting or opening times.
Next you need to decide how many rooms you are going to let and on what basis. If they are in your home, you can have a maximum of five bedrooms (providing accommodation for up to 15 people) and you can call yourself a Chambres d’Hôtes. More than that, you would be considered a hotel where there are stricter rules on things such as health and safety requirements, for example.
If you want to get into the French health system, you will need to register the business and pay social security contributions. There are certain tax advantages if you purchase the property through an SCI and run the company through a SARL. You should seek professional guidance from an accountant on this. Infact, as you will be paying social charges and possibly income tax on the rental income you receive (depending on how much you earn) you should get an accountant as it can be a little bewildering to begin with.
You need to think carefully about the location of the property to buy, as a Chambres d'Hôtes (B&B) benefits from passing trade and your guests will want to be close to restaurants and tourist attractions. You need to be able to put up a visible sign and advertise extensively in the local area and on the internet. You should have a good website with lovely photos that really set your business off to its best advantage. The definition of a Chambres d'Hôtes is that you are providing a bedroom inside your home on a night-by night basis with linen provided and breakfast included in the price. You need to do your research and see what else is offered in the area and make sure that your prices are competitive.
Alternatively, Gîtes are sometimes better located in rural areas and certainly those with a swimming pool can charge more. There are very strict rules regarding pools and their safety in France which must be adhered to. Gîtes appeal to families and couples, particularly if they offer a taste of French life. Or perhaps target certain guests by emphasising, for example, plenty of childrens’ activities, or bird watching / painting hoidays etc. A Gîte is a house, cottage or selfcontained accommodation that is independent from the owner's house. It is available to rent for a few days or weekly periods and the changeover day is usually on a Saturday.
Either you provide the bed linen and towels or guests bring their own and must clean the Gîte at the end of their stay. You can provide an evening meal as long as it is effectively the guest joining you at the family table and eating whatever is presented. If you start producing a menu and a separate dining area for guests you move into the realms of a restaurant where a whole new set of rules apply, including the provision of alcoholic drinks.
Before a rental property may display the official Gîte de France emblem, it must satisfy certain standards established by the Fédération which rates the Gîtes by ears of corns (épis) from one to five.
From a practical point of view also consider that you will be cleaning rooms, changing beds and washing sheets and towels on a potentially daily basis with a Chambres d'Hôtes but perhaps just once a week with a Gîte.
Another option is to make your holiday home pay for itself by letting it out when you are not using it. If you do not live near the holiday property, you will need employ a good local agent who can check your visitors in and out, arrange cleaning, routine repairs and replacements and keep an eye on the property when it is not occupied. A good agent will be able to take over all the administration on your behalf as you must provide a written rental agreement (in French) where all the terms of rental are clearly agreed and includes an inventory, rental deposit, damage deposit, rental price, cancellation policy, rules of the house, etc. You will also need to take out appropriate insurance to make sure that your property is properly covered for holiday lettings.
Here in Languedoc-Roussillon the main letting season is from June to September, but this can easily be extended from May to October in lively tourist areas. If you can promote walking holidays, you may find enough guests to run your business all year round due to the wonderful climate her
That’s all for now. As ever, I do hope you have enjoyed our Newsletter and found it useful.
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+33 (0) 4 67 36 36 80
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With best wishes
Annelise Bosshard
Managing Director
AB Real Estate
Béziers Exceptional 19th C. Maison de Maître plus 2 guest houses, 17 bedrooms, original features, swimming pool, 3699m² grounds, ancient greenhouse, winter lounge, garage, view, quiet, private, within walking distance to all amenities, ideal B&B/gîte property
Uzès Enchanting 16th C. Castle, 6 en-suite bed main dwelling plus 3 independent cottages, original features, high ceilings, frescos, large bright rooms, 2626m² grounds, swimming pool, terraces, stunning views, quiet, private, commercial potential, within walking distance to amenities
Limoux Quality villa in excellent condition, 8 bedrooms en suite, Gite, several terraces, off ground pool, hot tub, 7341m² of grounds, quiet country setting, private, nice views, horses possible, ideal B&B and retreats
Carcassonne High standing villa, 2 bedrooms en suite, all rooms are very large, as new, terraces, Mediterranean garden, swimming pool, quiet, view on the mountain and country side, near a lake, residential area very searched after
*** Bargain *** Minervois Corbières Magnificent Maison de Maître, 8 bedrooms, tastefully renovated, guesthouse, large outbuildings, offices, garage, heated pool, large private garden 1944m², village with all amenities, good business potential
Narbonne Architect's villa, 3/4 bedrooms, swimming pool, views, garages, 1647m² of land, private, within walking distance of all amenities
Pézenas Stunning luxurious former 18th Winery, restored with impressive large reception rooms, main dwelling 4 en-suite bedrooms, total privacy, independent house with 4 en-suite bedrooms with its own pool, caretaker’s apartment with 2 bedrooms, huge patio, beautiful pool, 10ha of land with pond, amenities nearby
Carcassonne exceptional elegant Château, restored to perfection, 3 suites and 4 en-suite bedrooms, formal garden, dovecote, garage, long tree-lined driveway, private and quiet, 32ha grounds with stream, amenities nearby, a magic and unique place!
Pézenas 16th C. Domaine with tower, superbly renovated main dwelling, 5 bedrooms, office, outbuildings, garages, 3ha land and woods, orchard, views, quiet, edge of lively village, near amenities ***AAA location***
Béziers Charming Villa 185m² living space, 4 bedrooms, pool, 1108m² of land, quiet, breathtaking views of golf course
*** Reduced Price *** Perpignan prestigious 12th century medieval castle, 650m², restored, 8 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms, caretaker's house 74m², heated pool, 6 ha of ground, dominating situation with magnificent panoramic views, close to the Meditaranean Sea
Béziers Provence style Mas, charm and character, 280m² living space, 5 en-suite bedrooms, workshop, garage, pool, 2695m² grounds, bordered by a stream
Uzès 12th C. Castle, listed and detached building, main dwelling and 2 apartments, 10 bedrooms, garage, vaulted ceilings, original features, courtyard, swimming pool, heart of village with amenities, quiet and private, commercial potential
Béziers Villa, 3 bedrooms, office, turnkey, swimming pool, terrace, garage, 2324m² garden, private, beautiful views of the countryside, short drive to amenities
Montpellier Contemporary villa, turn-key, built with quality materials, 3 bedrooms, swimming pool, terrace, 1500m² of land, in the pine forest, quiet village, within walking distance to amenities
Minervois Corbières Authentic Bastide 18th C. plus 4 bedr Gîte, plenty of charm, outbuildings to convert, garage, stable, pool in private garden, quiet with amenities, exceptional business potential
Montpellier Quissac Hamlet with 5 stone houses of 15th and 16th century, outbuildings partially convertible, 7ha of grounds, near facilities, quiet situation in unspoiled environment, stunning views
Béziers Lovely Villa, 4 bedrooms, patio, swimming pool, garage, magnificent garden, 2000m² of land, calm, close to amenities and the coast
Carcassonne Modern villa as new, 3 bedrooms, all rooms are large, terraces, Mediterranean garden, swimming pool with sliding roof, very quiet, view on the country side, near a lake, residential area very searched after
Pézenas Renovated barn, turnkey, 4 bedrooms, swimming pool, 414m² grounds, quiet, within walking distance to amenities
Carcassonne Villa, 4 bedrooms, office, possibility to divide in 2 apartments, superb views, heated swimming pool, 1ha of land, quiet, short drive to amenities
Minervois Corbières Beautiful B&B and Gîtes property, preserved area, superb view, 6 en-suite bedrooms, independent 2 bed apartment, 1085m², swimming pool, outskirts of village, close to basic amenities *a bargain*
*** Reduced Price *** Mirepoix Chateau, 9 bedrooms, large reception rooms, beautiful views, heated pool, terrace, 2 independent cottages, 7ha 78a of land, outbuildings, excellent transport connections
Béziers Charming stone house, 4 bedrooms, ready to move into, room to expand, large partly covered terrace, quiet hamlet, lovely views
Pézenas Superb country house, 5 bedrooms, 1500m² garden, swimming pool, garage, within walking distance to amenities
*** Reduced Price *** Beziers Authentic Old Winemaker’s House of 170m² to finish final renovations, 240m² plot size, double garage, walking distance to basic amenities, centre of a quiet charming village
*** Good value for money *** Béziers beautifully renovated 19th C. stone barn, 5 en-suite bedrooms, heated swimming pool, lovely landscaped, 1025m², peaceful, good rental income, amenities within walking distance
*** Excellent value for money *** Castelnaudary Renovated 4 bedroom farmhouse, 2 attached apartments, 5 garages, edge of a lively village with all amenities, park of 4576m², nice views towards the countryside and the Pyrenees
*** Reduced Price *** Carcassonne Stone House in centre of village, 5 bedrooms, private large roof terrace, independent studio, garage, near all amenities, quiet location
*** Reduced Price *** Beziers Lovely turnkey villa, 3 bedrooms, office, 943m² garden, swimming pool, garage, quiet, easy to lock up and leave, within walking distance to basic amenities
Pézenas Magnificent former wine domaine with main house, caretaker's house, 2 studios and superb wine cellar, pool, garage, 2800m² partly buildable, private, walking distance to amenities, overlooking the vineyards