Real Estate

Leave a French Property to Rot and the Town Can Take It: the Constitutional Court Just Confirmed It

Own a French property and let it stand empty and crumbling? A commune can expropriate it on a fast-track procedure - and on 22 May 2026 the Conseil constitutionnel confirmed that procedure is constitutional.

Spotting a Fake French Tax Notice: How to Verify a Tenant’s Income Proof (2026)

Fake tax notices are a common rental-application scam. France gives landlords two free, official ways to check a tenant's avis d'imposition is genuine - the 2D-Doc barcode and the SVAIR online tool.

Renting Your Own French Home Short-Term: The Rules for a Primary Residence in 2026

Letting your own French home for a few weeks a year is legal, but tightly framed. Here are the 2026 rules: the 120-day cap, the new nationwide registration, and the tax that follows.

A Small Debt, a Whole Home: France Tightens the Rules on Disproportionate Property Seizure (Cour de cassation, 21 May 2026)

Can a creditor force-sell your French home over a debt that is small next to its value? On 21 May 2026 the Cour de cassation reset how judges must answer - and it cuts both ways.

The Jeanbrun Dispositif (Relance Logement): France’s New Property Tax Break for Landlords in 2026

France has revived property amortisation for the first time in a generation. Here is how the new Jeanbrun (Relance logement) regime lets landlords - residents and non-residents alike - write down up to 80% of a flat's price against their rental income.

Boundary Disputes in France: A Practical Guide for British Property Owners

How French boundary law works — from bornage to prescription acquisitive — and what British property owners need to know to protect their land, resolve neighbor disputes, and avoid costly litigation.

Adverse Possession in France: What British Property Owners Need to Know About Squatter’s Rights

French law allows someone to acquire ownership of your property through 30 years of continuous possession — even in bad faith. Here's what British property owners need to know about prescription acquisitive, how it works, and how to protect yourself.

French Mortgage Guide for Non-Residents: How British Investors Can Finance Property in France

Everything British investors need to know about getting a French mortgage as a non-resident — from bank selection and HCSF rules to the offre de prêt process, costs, insurance, and tax deductibility.

Regional Property Guide: Paris vs. the French Riviera — Where Should Investors Buy?

Our first regional property guide compares Paris and the French Riviera for British investors — covering prices per square metre, rental yields, local tax differences, and which region suits your investment strategy.

Inheritance in France: The Complete Guide for British Property Owners

Everything British property investors need to know about French inheritance law — from the réserve héréditaire and Brussels IV election to SCI succession planning, démembrement, and the UK-France double tax treaty.

How to Buy Property in France: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide for British Investors

A comprehensive guide to buying property in France as a British investor. From making an offer to signing the acte authentique  every step explained, including costs, timelines, notaire fees, mortgage options, and recent 20242025 legal changes.