Building & Renovation

Freeze on New Planning Consents

New planning consents have been suspended for 5 years in the Var, due to severe drought in the department.

Housing Improvement Grant Application Process

The French Ombudsman has heavily criticised the 'MaPrimeRénov' home improvement grant application process.

House Insurance Claim Exceeds Value of Property

What happens with an insurance claim when the cost of proposed remedial works to a house exceeds the value of the property?

Interest Free Loan for Home Energy Conservation

The government have increased to €50,000 the level of an interest-free loan that is available to owner-occupiers and landlords for works of home energy conservation.

Energy Efficiency Grant Steeplechase

A increase in the grant to improve energy efficiency recently announced by the government is being neutralised by a reduction in other grants, a complicated process and the spiralling costs of the work.  

Home Adaptation Grants in France for Elderly and Disabled

What financial support options are available to adapt a property to assist those who may have mobility issues?

A Rose Between Two Thorns

A cunning plan by a local council to protect an emblematic 19th Century villa from demolition is thrown out by the courts.

An End to Development in the Countryside?

The French government commits to the end of urban sprawl by 2050 and to halve it within ten years.

Tree Pruning - Electricity and Telephone Lines

The government have rejected demands to clarify responsibility for tree pruning in proximity to electricity and telephone lines, so just what are the rules?

Cleaning of Chimneys and Flue Pipes