Buying and selling

Buying

We can provide legal advice to assist you in your purchase of a property in France. Our expertise includes advising on the purchase of leaseback schemes, new builds, conversions, apartments, ski chalets, listed buildings, fishing lakes and commercial property. We can also set up French companies for you if required.

Selling

We can assist with the sale of your French property to include handling negotiations on your behalf with the selling agent or prospective purchasers and their notaire.

What is the conveyancing process in France?

When your offer on a property is accepted, you will be asked to sign a preliminary contract called the “compromis de vente”, for an existing property, or a reservation contract for a “vente en l’état futur d’achèvement” (VEFA) (off-plan purchase). This is usually prepared either by a notaire or by an estate agent. This is a binding, written agreement between the vendor and the purchaser, which can be made subject to certain conditions known as “conditions suspensives”. These state that the contract will only become binding if certain things happen – for example, if the purchaser obtains a mortgage within a stated time. These conditions are important and need to be carefully drafted. The purchaser or vendor may be released from the contract if the conditions are not fulfilled. A 10% deposit is usually paid at this stage.

There is an all important “seven day cooling off period” which commences when both parties have signed the compromis de vente which will be sent to you by recorded delivery. This allows you (subject to complying with the necessary formalities) to withdraw within seven days without giving any reason.

Secondly, there is a formal deed of sale called the ”acte de vente”, which is signed in front of a notaire or by proxy, which we can arrange for you, if you cannot attend in person.

The time frame between these two documents is generally around 10 to 12 weeks.

The traditional house buyer’s survey known in the UK does not exist in France. There have to be inspections carried out, e.g. for lead, termites, asbestos, gas and electricity etc, but you might choose to have the property inspected by a surveyor and there is no reason why the contract cannot be made subject to certain conditions of that survey.