There is no direct equivalent to the notaire in the UK. He or she is a legally qualifies person and a government representative. They are held in high regard in French society, rather like a doctor or barrister, and have a great influence in local matters, especially those related to property.
When you buy a property in France, you have to pay notaire's fees on top of the estate agency fees. The estate agency fees are usually included in the purchase price seen in their office windows, but the notaire's fees are not. These fees are similar to legal fees in the UK - solicitor's fees and stamp duty.
Making an Offer
The first time in your property buying timetable that you will meet the notaire is when you put in an offer that has been accepted. If you are buying in a village or small town, there will only be one notaire, who will oversee all property events in the location, whereas if you are buying in a large town or city, there will be a number of notaire's.
In this case, the notaire that you will use will be dependant on your estate agent. As the notaire makes money from estate agents, they tend to build up a rapport with each other in the same way that a UK solicitor may recommend an accountant. This has the added benefit that the estate agent is likely to have a good relationship with the notaire and their staff, so you can be assured of a friendly welcome.
What Happens Next
Once your property offer has been accepted, it will be confirmed to the notaire by your estate agent, who will then deal with the paperwork and official documentation. You will have an appointment to go to the notaire's to sign the offer, called the compromise, and you will be told what is now expected of you. This will include obtaining a mortgage within a certain space of time and to have some checks done on the property by their teams, such as looking for termites and lead, common on older French property.
Following this meeting, you will invariably return to the UK to arrange your mortgage and get everything in order. During this period, which will usually be a maximum of three months, you may not hear from your notaire at all, and you may even have very little contact from your estate agent. Use this time wisely - arranging a mortgage can take a long time, especially if you are self-employed. Your estate agent and the notaire will be happy to help you if you contact them and do make sure you keep them informed of any changes or problems. Although they will not contact you, they will want to know if there are any issues.
Signing the Deal
Once you have obtained your mortgage, perhaps arranged for a survey and the relevant checks are completed, you will be able to complete the purchase. Although you can appoint someone else to sign for you, perhaps the estate agent, it is all part of your new life in France. Make an event of the signing, especially if you are moving to a small town or village. It will help you integrate into the community and to be seen as making an effort. Take a few days off, book a flight and buy something English for your notaire to take along - perhaps some shortbread or marmalade.
On the signing day, they may have a glass of champagne for you, or take a bottle along and make a celebration of the start of your new life.
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