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Building & Renovation
Energy Conservation Companies 'Unscrupulous'
A survey by French consumer protection officials reveals that over half of the companies engaged in home energy conservation works mislead their clients.
03 Mar 2017
Taxation of a Planning Consent in France
Although no fee is payable on submission of a planning application, a tax is levied if planning permission is granted.
06 Jan 2017
Mysterious Demolition of Cap Ferret Villa
A villa in the fashionable Atlantic coastal village of Cap Ferret has been mysteriously demolished, apparently without the knowledge and consent of the owner.
06 Jan 2017
Right to Challenge Planning Consents
In recent years the right to challenge a planning consent in France has been substantially reduced by the need to demonstrate that a clear prejudice would be suffered by the development.
04 Oct 2016
Is a Swimming Pool an Extension of a House?
Planning rules in France about the right of homeowners to build a swimming pool on their property are not infrequently unclear.
05 Sep 2016
Insulation Requirements on Property Renovation
Substantial new roof and wall insulation requirements have been imposed on building renovation projects, although with a number of important derogations.
03 Aug 2016
Emptying Your Septic Tank
What is the regulatory framework governing emptying and maintenance of your septic tank in France?
05 Jul 2016
Swimming Pool Defects and Ten Year Guarantee
A French court has declared void a contract that sought to limit the 10-year defects liability of the builder in the construction of a swimming pool.
03 May 2016
Financial Assistance in France for Energy Efficiency 2016
There are changes this year to the system of tax credits and other forms of financial assistance for energy conservation works to the main home.
05 Apr 2016
Can a Farmer Build Next to my French Property?
Whilst administrative controls exist on the proximity of farm livestock buildings to residential property, the buildings can be uncomfortably close.
05 Apr 2016
Transparency on Ten Year Building Guarantee
The French government have issued a standard form of ten year building guarantee declaration that must now be used by all building professionals.
03 Mar 2016
Planning Permission Minimum Three Years
The duration of the validity of a planning consent has been increased from two to three years, with an option to increase to five years.
03 Feb 2016
Planning Permission and Easements
Planning permission in France is always granted subject to the private property rights of others.
06 Jan 2016
Building Construction Costs in France 2014
The cost of constructing a new property in France in 2014 averaged €1,310m², up by around 5.0% on that for 2013 (€1,244m²).
03 Dec 2015
Architects and Planning Applications in France
An architect has a legal obligation to submit a planning application that complies with planning regulations, a French court has ruled.
04 Nov 2015
New Controls on Ten Year Building Guarantee
Builders in France are now required to provide more information to their clients about their ten year building guarantee insurance cover.
02 Oct 2015
Outdoor Advertising Banned in Small French Towns
Outdoor advertising in small towns is now banned in France, but the removal of existing billboards is one that is likely to take many years.
04 Aug 2015
Conversion of Farm Building into a Gite
The conversion of a farm building into residential use requires that the building is fully enclosed by a roof and walls, a French court has ruled.
03 Apr 2015
Planning Consents Three Year Duration
The duration of the validity of planning consents has been increased from two to three years, in order to give a boost to the flagging housing market.
03 Feb 2015
Building Works Blame Game
A French court has ruled that a builder must undertake the work they consider necessary, and not lesser works against which they counselled their client.
07 Jan 2015
