FRENCH SERVICES

Our Services

No task is too small. Speak to French Services if you need to contact the following;

• Estate agents
• Notaires
• Utility companies
• Banks
• Builders
• Local Authorities
• Government department etc.

Do not sit on demands for money!

To get these dealt with promptly, ring French Services and we will explain what you need to do and will even do it for you!

We were able to get a surcharge removed (exceptionally) for one client who had failed to pay a bill when we explained the reason for the late payment!

What Sort of Tasks Do We Undertake?

• We were asked to find out if planning permission will be allowed on a plot of land to be purchased by our client – He had been waiting for months to hear. Phone calls to the English speaking agent were not yielding results!

We got this information within days, weeks before the estate agent and notaire and organised the return of a substantial deposit to our delighted client.

• One client had to send off tax returns relating to a lease back property he had bought last year and didn’t know where to start.

We helped him through the process enabling him to meet the tight deadline. We also explained the workings of the co-propriété and liaised with the property management committee on his behalf.

In addition we established that he was not liable to pay for a TV licence and taxe d’habitation. We drafted letters on his behalf to get these demands lifted.

• French Services is a contact point for French people and organisations wishing to communicate with non-French speaking home owners.

One client learnt very quickly that her French house had sustained storm damage when her neighbour phoned us. We were able to liaise with the relevant parties to co-ordinate the repairs.

• One very satisfied client wanted to make an offer for a property direct to the vendor.

We not only negotiated on her behalf with the neighbour but we contacted the notaire by phone and organised for the preparation of the initial contract (compromis de vente) to be sent to the client in England.

We also drafted covering letters and found out from local French government departments about possible motorways and TGV routes.

• One client applied for a French Mortgage.

French Services acted as interpreter and go-between to enable the client to fill in the forms.

• On countless occasions we have liaised with water companies and have spoken directly to officials on the spot visiting properties owned by our clients.

• After contacting the ‘expert’, we have explained in detail the lead, asbestos and termite reports to English home owners.

• One home owner, a builder doing his own renovations, was delighted to learn where exactly degraded lead paint was to be found.

• Worried clients have contacted French Services on receiving unexpected demands for money.

We were able to establish very quickly that on few occasions these were sent in error and could be ignored.

• We were asked to annotate in English an Acte de Vente (completion contract) for a home owner.

We discovered that there were mistakes and after discussion with the notaire’s office that they were OK to be left.

• One client received a refund in the form of a cheque from a utility company which he sat on for nearly a year!

A quick phone call to the authority ensured that the cheque passed through the system with just days to spare, thus avoiding an application to have the lapsed cheque rewritten!

What do we charge for this invaluable support service?

£30 per hour (minimum charge) which includes phone calls emails and work arising.

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