Glossary of terms relating to homes for sale in France
Sacre bleu! When you start looking at homes for sale in France you will be hit with a barrage of terms which you may not understand.
Even if you are fluent in French you may not be able to comprehend the significance of legal jargon concerning homes for sale in France.
Our glossary aims to provide a starting point for anyone viewing homes for sale in France and who wants to avoid an expensive mistake brought about by language differences.
ACOMPTE - deposit
ACTE AUTHENTIQUE - legal paper drawn up by a public officer
ACTE DE VENTE - a conveyance or transfer of land
AGENCE IMMOBILIERE - estate agent
ASSURANCE DECES - life insurance
ATTESTATION DE PROPRIETE - proof of ownership of property in France
CERTIFICAT D’URBANISME - zoning certificate for property in France
CLAUSE SUSPENSIVE - a conditional clause in a contract that must be met in order for the transfer of homes for sale in France to be completed
COMPROMIS DE VENTE - contract for sale and purchase of land or property in France
CONSERVATION DES HYPOTHEQUES - mortgage/land registry
CONTRAT DE RESERVATION - type of contract for the purchase of property in France
CONTRAT PRELIMINAIRE - preliminary contract to buy homes for sale in France
DEPOT DE GARANTIE - deposit paid when renting or buying a property in France
DOMIICILE FISCAL - main residence for tax purposes
DROIT DE PREEMPTION - pre-emptive right to acquire the property in France instead of purchaser
DROIT DE SUCCESION - inheritance tax payable on property in France
DROITS D’ENREGISTREMENT - stamp duty payable on homes for sale in France
FEDERATION NATIONALE DES AGENTS IMMOBILIER (FNAIM) - French national association of estate agents
FRAIS DE NOTARIE - total sum paid to the Notaire on top of price of homes for sale in France
HORS TAXE - not including sales tax
HYPOTHEQUE - mortgage where the property in France is used as security for the loan
IMMOBILIERE - real estate agent
INDIVISION - joint-ownership of a property in France
MAIRIE - town hall
MONUMENTS HISTORIQUES - listed buildings
PERMIS DE CONSTRUIRE - planning permission
PLUS VALUE - capital gain realised on the sale of property in France
RESILIATION - cancellation of a contract
SECURITIE SOCIAL - French social security system
TOUTES TAXES COMPRISE - including sales tax
TAXE SUR LA VALEUR AJOUTEE (TVA) - value added tax
TAXE D’HABITATION - tax levied on the occupation of property in France
TAXE FONCIERE - local tax on the ownership of property in France
TESTAMENT - a will
This is not a comprehensive list but is designed to act as a reference point for those starting the process of hunting for homes for sale in France. When buying property in France it is always advisable to employ the services of a translator if you are unsure of anything.
