Back to France again next week with viewings set up. There are two properties especially intersted in and we have the diganostics. Looking for information as both have DPE, asbestos, electiric reports, but one also has a termite report and the other not? does it depend on age or construction type?
Also bearing in mind both say electrics have anomalies i am not sure how we can determine if its going to need a complete rewire or just corrections to a few points and maybe a new board? this make a difference as to whether we think its a fair price or make an offer. Also some photos it looks like damp but of course could just be as house been empty a long time no reports on humidity. IF we decided to put in an offer or buy can you put subject to a survey and employ a surveyor.? i think its not as usual in France bearing in mind all the diagostics but i dont want to end up purchasing something thats a money pit. Especially as both properties need double glazing . As always thanks for any imput, i can attach elect diagnostics if anyone experienced lol
For termites it depends if it is a region that termites are currently present in. We didn’t have termites in 29 so it was not an issue but further south it seems they are present in many regions. An important issue to be considered and if you are not satisfied with the diagnostic, you can ask at the local mairie if they know of any local infestations as its a notifiable occurance to them. When my house was under offer and the compromis signed, the prospective buyers had a cooling off period so they asked for permission to have artisans come and look at various things they were not sure about and as I was wanting to sell, I had no objections knowing there was no problems on any of the items. You can ask as many questions as you like via the agent/notaire who is selling the property. As for surveyors here, you are better off getting a good artisan to come and have a look at things that worry you and cheaper plus if there is work to be done, you could use them at a later date.
You can ask for any clause suspensive (like the English “subject to survey”) to be included but it would have to be agreed. If a French buyer were to cone along, it’s unlikely s/he’d include such a clause and so you might be beaten to the sale.
There’s no reason why you couldn’t take an electrician* along with you - paying for his services, of course - or make as full an examination as you can, but you’re unlikely to be able to determine the true state of affairs because the diagnostic often ends up being excessively cautious, to an extent that’s difficult to determine.
thanks for the link, great points to see, yes i did ask electrician but only two i can find recommended are more than 1.5 hours away. Immo no didnt recommend though i did ask
must confess I thought that all sorts of info/diagnostics/whatever had to be made available to potential- Buyers nowadays…
so that one really knows the full commitment… beforehand… when it is not too late to walk-away…
Yes me too but i suppose if the area is not known for termites perhaps not done.
Its strange as another house we are viewing with same agent has about 5/6 diagnostics for gas / elec etc i dont suppose they are obliged to do damp surveys or structural lol
Electricity, water, sewage, lead/asbestos/woodworm/whatever… all should be clarified… certainly that info was provided to us by the Vendeur… in a long document … and was so alarming that our immobilier asked if we wanted to proceed or walkaway…
There are many companies offering diagnostic reports, be very wary of that because it can range from a small sum of around €150 to €900 which is what I paid but was recommended by my notaire and were a specialist firm with their technicians holding qualifications. I know a chap who lost his job and found one doing diagnostics, the only qualifications he had were his original school diplomas (BAC) and his job previously was in selling cars at a dealership!
Another thing, @Tranmere : you’ll now be seeing references to a government website providing details of other risks - like radon, earthquake, flooding, drying out of clay …
I was once told by my banker in Vence 06 to be solmewhat suspicious of these diagnostic tests. He told me some of the appointed firms are more competent than others. Further some trsts are not through enough and can make future purchasers vulnerable subsequently. Remember they are employed by the vendor. You are right there is not a specific profession as a Chartered property surveyor in France and bizarrely most French buy properties literally on their inspection & the word of the seller. Not ideal. Some ask the local builder, electrician to make an inspection but this cannot compare to an insured surveyor. The good news, if interested, that a few chartered English surveyors do operate in France. A google search should reveal their respective area of coverage, fees etc. Again do check their membership with UK bodies & their insurance ! In my opinion, after hearing various disaster purchasers and knowing the French legal system I would certainly seriously consider instructing a British surveyor and ask for a full intensive survey. Its worth it even if it may initially be expensive and will certainly help you negotiate a fair price with the survey in hand. From what you write it appears you need to investigate further as damp & electrics can be very expensive to remedy.
Good advice. Also check out , as best as possible, the neighbors, the locality in day & night. . Although, in principal, the Notaire (not to be confused with your friendly Solicitor working for your best interests, should inquire if any developments, construction is planned for your specific area it is not always reliable or not even sought! My advice go to the Town Hall (Marie) yourself and inquire.
All good advice thanks, our french is not up to calling in and speaking to Marie and not sure we will find the time but its defintely something we should try to do. Not ideal but maybe can do by email
The kind of info you really want and may miss out on, is why you visit the mairie in person face to face. Plus for other reasons it’s always a good idea to show your face there if you’re planning to move there. Try to take someone with you who speaks more French? If not you may get a surprise you may find your mairie will still find a way to communicate with you if you turn up in person.
Show up and point at the property on the wall map of the commune and see what they tell you. You can’t do that by email.
We were saved from buying one property by doing that.
One would think so. But five years ago, I paid to have a structural engineer look at the place I was interested in, and he found some significant issues that no one had found before. The documents I reviewed, before the structural engineer arrived, included a devis for work that needed doing structurally but omitted the problem he detected. It was expensive but very very helpful to have him take a look and I never bought the house. This was located in Centre.
) depends on region. Here’s a link: