GLOSSARY OF ESTATE AGENCY TERMS

acompte:  deposit, usually 10%, when paid and compromis signed, (after 7 days cool off), neither party can withdraw.

acquéreur:  purchaser

acte de vente:  deed of sale on completion of purchase

agent immobilier:  estate agent

assurance multi-risque habitation:  building and contents insurance

bon de visite:  confirmation that the agent is showing, or has shown you, a property

cadastre:  land registry

cadastral:  land plan

carte professionelle:  legal authorization to practice estate agency

certificate d'urbanisme:  town planning certificate (you can only apply for this if you own the property or after signing the preliminary contract. It may be a clause or condition suspensive)

chambres des métiers:  association of registered builders

charge locative: service charge

clause tontine:  joint tenancy, on the death of one party their interest in the property passes to the other party. Seek appropriate advice.

compromis de vente (compromis):  bilateral agreement to sell and buy

conservation des hypothèques:  land registry

condition / clause suspensive:  let out" clause in the preliminary contract. Eg. inability to obtain mortgage, unsatisfactory certificat d'urbanism, pre-emption by S.A.F.E.R. etc.

contrôle amiante:  houses built before 1948 must be clear of asbestos - this survey is paid for by the vendor

coproprieté:  joint ownership

F.A.I. - frais agence inclus:  agency fees included

F.N.A.I.M. federation of estate agents, similar to our National Association of Estate Agents.

frais de dossier:  mortgage arrangement fee

frais de notaire: fees and costs charged by the notaire, fixed by law

géomètre: land surveyor

hypothèque: mortgage

honoraires:  fees

impôt sur la plus-value:  capital gains tax

indivision: tenancy in common, seek appropriate advice

locataire:  tenant

locations:  rentals

lu et apprové: read and approved

maire / mairie:  town hall

mandat de recherche d'un bien:  recognition of agents interest, usually implying that you will pay the agent's fees rather than the vendor

marchand de bien:  property dealer - (not an estate agent)

notaire:  impartial government appointed public official who carries out conveyances etc. Can act for both parties. (Conveyancing in France may only be carried out by a Notaire). Notaires also prepare wills for example.

offre d'achat:  offer of purchase

permis de construire:  planning permission

permis d'aménager:  permission to develop

procuration: power of attorney

promesse de vente:  vendors agreement to sell

promoteur:  developer

responsibilité civile propriétaire:  insurance, third party - this is a legal requirement

S.A.F.E.R.:  French government land agency. They have to give their approval for purchases of land, usually agricultural, over a certain size, (generally, but not always - 2500 sq.m.), and they can have pre-emption rights
re to edit.

FRENCH LOCAL TAXES

Taxe d'habitation - this is a dwelling, or occupancy, tax levied on the persons who have the use of a habitable building and it varies according to the following factors:
A) The habitable surface area. B) The standard of accommodation. C) The commune. D) The occupiers income.
The Tax is paid by whoever occupies the property on the first day of January each year, owner or tenant.

Taxe fonciére - This is a tax for the occupation of the land, and is generally assessed on all properties. It is paid by the owner, based on the rental value of the property and the rate of tax is determined anually by the appropriate authority. There are actually two taxes:
1) Tax fonciére bâtie, i.e. on the building. 2) Tax fonciére non-bâtie, i.e. on the land.
Sometimes a regional tax is payable, especially if the property is in a tourist area and there is heavy upkeep for public amenities such as gardens. Check when purchasing.

CONVERSIONS: 1 hectare (ha) = 100 are (10,000sq.m.) = 2.47 acres
1 acre = .4047 ha. 1000 sq.m. = approx. ¼ acre.

All the above information compiled by William Pearson ©