Running a Gite and Renovating in Brittany

Acte de Vente signed

I went to Notaires office this afternoon to sign the final papers for the house and collect the keys. Boy, has the last three months dragged on.

The three owners (succession) where there and it took over an hour with the Notaire reading through the contract, explaining things about tax, right of way (none), asbestos, lead and parasite studies, pro rata for the tax fonciere... The Notaire also pointed out that a small part of my land is just withing 75 meters of a road and I may not be able to build a garage there. It does however depend on the local Marie and there is some discretion about that sort of thing.

Anyway signed and paid for with a bankers cheque (cheque de banque that I got earlier that morning.

After signing we went up to the house and had a few drinks with some friends to toast a new beginning. It was meant to be just a quick glass of champers but suddenly loads of red wine and beer turned up and a BBQ. Everyone coped remarkably well considering there was not running water or toilet facilities. We ended up getting a little noisy and late into the evening. Lets hope we have not upset my new neighbours from day one.

brittany renovation

|   6:39:46 PM   Acte de Vente signed   

Planning permission approved

After only getting the PdC receipt yesterday I got confirmation today that the planning permission has been approved.

According to the attached notes I have to start the work within two years or apply for an extension, I have to display a board facing the public highway detailing my planning application and send off a form to the Marie when I start work. There is some other small print which I need to digest. Deciphering small print in another language is never that easy.

Everything seems to be falling into place perfectly. All the money has been sorted and is ready to pay for the house. The Notaire confirmed that I am due to sign for the house next Tuesday afternoon, 31st July 2007, and also the minor discrepancy in the cadastral plan has been sorted out and my boundaries are where I expected.

The only minor hitch is that I still haven't received my quote for the roof and flooring work from the builder. It shouldn't delay me too much as there is plenty to do.

brittany renovation

|   2:23:55 PM   Planning permission approved   

DDE receipt for Permis de Construire

Got a receipt from the DDE for my permis de construire today, about a month later than expected, but not to worry because the opening paragraph states that maximum delay is fixed by the Code de l'Urbanisme at 2 months. The letter notes that the application was deposited on the 11/6/2007 and states in the letter I should have the result before the 11/08/2007.

Great news.

|   2:11:47 PM   DDE receipt for Permis de Construire   

Insurance arranged

Before buying the a house here you need to supply the Notaire with proof that it is insured. So I've been checking out house insurance quotes and sorted it out today. Cost me 150 euro with minimum contents cover for just my tools.

Once the renovation takes shape I can go back and increase the cover to insure the work already done.

|   2:08:14 PM   Insurance arranged   

Septic tank permission granted

I got my septic tank permit through the post today.

Permission was granted with a few small caveats. Notably:-

• A secondary ventilation pipe for each tank must be provided that runs back into the house and then extends up through the roof with a cap.
• An anti-rodent grill to stop any vermin getting back up the waste pipes.

I did mention before about regulations, but in my case the only relevant ones are that the soak-away must be at least 35 meters from the well and 3 meters from a boundary of large trees or shrubs. A quick search reveals everything you could ever want to know about septic tanks in France.

I also sent a copy to the DDE to let then know about the granted permission with regards to my planning application.

brittany renovation

|   8:50:33 PM   Septic tank permission granted