Renovating agricultural buildings for a home

Renovating agricultural buildings for a home

Tony, We are in a position where my father in law already has a property in France, he is renovating part of a large old house on the land he also has 2 very large barns which he has now said he would like to give us as gift to renovate ourselves obviously we are keen to go with this project but are also concerned about the French laws involved with this.

We would be paying for any of the renovations ourselves, could you please tell us firstly is he allowed to give this to us as a gift do we then have to register change of ownership on this part of the property also we would need to demolish part of this and then do up completley what permits would we need are there any other laws or rules we shuld be aware of in a project like this. Angela

===

Hello Angela

There are a lot of questions here and legal points which must be carefully considered by an independent professional legal expert.

The amount of money or property which can be given as a gift (a donation) is carefully regulated and changes each year. A Notaire can advise and give the necesssary forms fo this.

To transfer a portion of a property will need a plan cadasteral for that piece of property to be drawn up and agreed by a geometre and the local mairie. A value must be established for this and any transfer must reflect this value. If a sale is made at a price considered lower then the mairie has the right to pre-empt the purchase at that price.

To make a barn into habitable accommodation will need full planning permission for change of use from the mairie.

My advice is to talk informally to the local mayor, establish if the services, access, local planned use and other permissions may be available before you do anything.

I recommend Stephen Smith France as a fair independent, fully insured (most important) legally qualified advisor.

Hope this helps