This French Life

Will the rush to divorce be brought to a halt?

WITH an amendment to the French Finance Act 2011, the French Parliament voted for an increase of the duties paid on partition of assets, droits de partage, from 1.1% to 2.5% to be effective from 1 January 2012, writes Guillaume Barlet.

But this measure may now be overturned and the rush to process divorce procedures before that date may be brought to a halt.

Partition is an operation by which owners holding assets in undivided ownership, which can be likened to a joint ownership, terminate such a situation and divide, or partition, the assets between them.

Explore the Roannais in the Rhône-Alpes

THERE is a small, little-known corner of the north western end of the huge Rhone-Alpes region in France which is waiting, somewhat patiently, for discovery and greater attention, writes Brian Franklin.

This area is called Le Roannais in the département of the Loire.

Yes, of course, many tourists and business travellers from the UK and other parts of Europe visit, or drive through the region down the famous route N7 every year.

This is exactly what they often do – drive straight through or around it without stopping and taking a 'breath' but they are missing a lot.

It is not, however, an isolated part of France, like many areas can be in this huge country.

Pacitel promises to put a stop to marketing calls

A NEW website has been launched which promises to put a stop to the majority of cold calls from French companies.

Pacitel is backed by major telephone marketing companies and so should put an end to those annoying calls you receive when in the bath, making dinner or just winding down after a busy day.

But, there is one small point to consider. The service doesn't come into effect until 1 December, 2011 although you can register your details in advance.

Registering your telephone number is a simple task, requiring a couple of security measures to ensure you are the one responsible for the number, and once Pacitel is up and running you should be saved from unsolicited marketing calls.

Update on changes to CGT on second homes in France

CAPITAL gains tax (CGT) when selling property excluding main residences was a central element of the debates of the Additional Finance Bill for 2011, writes Guillaume Barlet.

And it undergone rearrangements between the moment the new regime was announced on 24 August, 2011 by the French prime minister François Fillon and the date it was finally voted on 8 September.

Despite being less penalising than first announced, this change still means that CGT on second homes will be significantly increased.

Looking back, and lessons learnt, of Le Cuvage project

BRIAN Franklin continues his story of how he and his wife, Lucy, slowly and sympathetically returned a collection of outbuildings found in the grounds of the Chateau des Cresses, in the Rhône-Alpes region of eastern France.

Here he looks back on the work involved, and some of the lessons learnt, as well as the advantages of moving to France.

At last. The work is over, the spending has slowed down, and the results of all our efforts can be clearly seen and appreciated.

Comparing the price of heating oil in the UK and France

SOME interesting observations on the price of heating fuel in France by Geoffrey Coan, owner of a holiday home in Brittany.

He writes on his blog that he was recently able to compare the price of the same type of oil between the UK and France.

After doing the maths he got quite an eye opener.

So for only 10% more money I got 50% more heating oil in the UK. This works out that French heating oil is a whopping 36% more expensive than back at home.

Fortunately Geoffrey doesn't use his holiday home a great deal in the winter months, but that's quite a difference.

Related: Compare French petrol prices on the web

CGT plans on second homes may be watered down

BACK room trading is set to take place over the next few days in the French parliament as plans are hammered out to reduce the government deficit.

And it looks likely that proposed changes to capital gains tax (CGT) on second homes will be watered down to appease members of the ruling UMP party.

AFP reports that it is likely no CGT will be paid on properties held for more than 30 years, an extension of the current 15 years and a change from the proposals which saw no advantage to holding a property long term.

It is also proposed that the calculation of CGT will change, the finer details are still being debated, with the rate based upon inflation over the period of ownership and although with increases in social charges the rate will be slightly higher.

Hopefully the changes to CGT will be clearer in the next few days.

Related:
Deficit plans set to change CGT on second homes in France
Property taxes rise in austerity budget - French-Property.com

Deficit plans set to change CGT on second homes in France

UPDATE 20 September, 2011: Update on changes to CGT on second homes in France

TO strengthen public finances in a context of slowing global growth, the French prime minister François Fillon presented last night steps expected to ensure, mainly through a 'fiscal effort', the reduction of the deficit by €1 billion this year and €11 billion in 2012, writes Guillaume Barlet.

Part of the measures taken will be considered by the French Cabinet on 31 August 2011 and submitted to the Parliament's vote in an Additional Finance Bill for 2011 to be discussed at the beginning of September.

Other measures will be taken by the end of the year in the Finance Bill and the Financing of Social Security Bill for 2012.

Former French government buildings now for sale

IF you are on the look out for a property in France, why not check out some once owned by the French government but which are now on the market to cut costs.

The Independent reports on how a number of court houses are currently on the market due to changes which saw many smaller properties closed, and the work of legal professionals concentrated in larger towns.

Although local councils were given first option on the buildings, with some being converted into galleries or cultural spaces, quite a number are still standing empty.

Some rubbish tips from France for Rossendale council

I HAD to smile when I saw the Telegraph newspaper going all 'Mr Angry' at the news that home owners in the Lancashire countryside were no longer going to see their rubbish picked up from the doorstep.

What, you mean like a service that most people living in the French countryside have been able to survive without for years?

It would appear that Rossendale council are asking people in rural properties to take their rubbish to points around the area where they will be picked up by bin lorries.