1. Buying 'Off-Plan' Property in France

In the following pages we describe the contract process involved in buying a property ‘off-plan’ in France.

That is to say, buying a property from a developer that has yet to be built, on land you do not own.

The property is often part of a development within a city centre, near the coast or in a ski-ing resort.

It is not uncommon amongst the French to buy off-plan, either for own occupation or for letting as an investment project.

It may also be called a Vente sur plan.

Although there are always risks with buying anything you cannot see, there is a good level of consumer protection offered to those buying off-plan in France and, most of the time, things proceed satisfactorily. The huge scandals that we so regularly read about concerning the sale of off-plan developments in Spain and certain other countries does not occur in France.

If you select carefully, there is also often the possibility of realising an attractive capital gain on the property, as prices on the whole development generally move upwards with the progress of building works.

Nevertheless, as with any commercial transaction, you need to have your wits about you and act with caution. Whilst there may well be a robust framework of consumer rights, the law has its limits, and you can trip up badly if you do not take a commercial approach to the project.