Sell an inherited property in France

Inheriting a house in France when you live in the UK

When you live in the UK, inheriting a house in France raises practical questions. Who files the paperwork? Who looks after the empty house? Who signs the deed?

We buy inherited houses as they stand, contents included. All the heirs receive the same offer within 48 hours.

The declaration of succession and its deadline

The heirs must file a declaration of succession (déclaration de succession), France’s inheritance tax return. The deadline runs from the date of death:

• six months if the person died in mainland France;
• twelve months if they died abroad, in the UK for example.

One heir can file for all of them, and a notaire can prepare it. The heirs remain jointly responsible for paying the tax.

Children, parents, spouses and PACS partners needn’t file if the gross estate is under €50,000. This only applies if any earlier gifts from the deceased were declared or registered.

Late filing adds interest of 0.20% a month on the tax due. After a death in France, a 10% surcharge applies from the 13th month.

Inheritance tax on a house in France

France taxes a house in France even when the heirs live abroad. Under the 1963 France-UK convention, France keeps that right even if the deceased was domiciled in Great Britain. For the UK side, ask a UK tax adviser.

Each child gets a tax-free allowance of €100,000 from each parent. Above that, each child’s taxable share is taxed in bands:

Taxable share per child	Rate
Up to €8,072	5%
€8,072 to €12,109	10%
€12,109 to €15,932	15%
€15,932 to €552,324	20%
€552,324 to €902,838	30%
€902,838 to €1,805,677	40%
Above €1,805,677	45%

The tax is due when the declaration is filed. If non-cash assets such as property make up at least half the estate, payment can spread over three years. Apply in writing with the declaration. All the heirs must agree, and the tax office charges interest and asks for security.

The notaire’s documents before a sale

When the estate includes a house, you’ll need a notaire, who draws up two documents:

• The acte de notoriété (act of notoriety). It proves who the heirs are.
• The attestation de propriété (certificate of ownership). It records the transfer of the house to the heirs and is published at the land registry. Without it, the sale can’t be registered.

The notaire has four months to prepare the certificate once instructed. Heirs who instruct the notaire more than six months after the death can be held liable.

Selling means accepting the inheritance

Selling a property from the estate counts as accepting the inheritance. An heir who accepts outright is liable for the estate’s debts without limit.

Instead, an heir can formally accept only up to the estate’s net assets. If there could be debts, speak to the notaire before signing anything.

When the heirs don’t agree

As a rule, selling a house owned by several heirs needs everyone’s agreement.

Heirs holding at least two thirds of the shares can declare their intention to sell before a notaire. If the others object or don’t reply within three months, the court may authorise the sale. It then takes place at auction.

This procedure isn’t available when one person holds a life interest (usufruct) and others the bare ownership.

Our offer goes to all the heirs on the same day, with one price and one signing date.

Signing from the UK

You don’t have to travel to France for the deed. You can give someone a power of attorney to sign for you.

• By video call. A French notaire can draw up a notarised power of attorney remotely. It covers the power of attorney only, not the deed itself.
• Through a UK notary. Have the power of attorney certified by a UK notary or solicitor, then apostilled by the FCDO Legalisation Office. Check first that the French notaire will accept it.

Looking after an empty house

An empty house in France still costs money.

• Property tax (taxe foncière). Whoever owns the house on 1 January owes the whole year.
• Vacant housing tax. In towns on the official list, an unfurnished home empty for a year on 1 January is taxed. It isn’t due if the house is on sale at market price and hasn’t found a buyer.
• Second home tax. A furnished house can be liable for council tax on second homes.

The seller must also provide the usual technical reports (diagnostics). See which reports apply.

Our price, in plain terms

Our price is below market value. In return, there’s no clearing out, no repairs and no buyer’s mortgage to wait for.

If you have time and want the highest price, an estate agent will serve you better. If you’d rather sell quickly and move on, talk to us.

Questions from heirs in the UK

Do we need to clear the house?

No. We buy it with the contents. Keep what matters to you and leave the rest.

Do we need to come to France for the visit?

No. Someone you trust can let us in for the single verification visit.

Will the offer change after the visit?

We visit once to check the house. If it matches the description, the offer stands as it is.

Is the offer free?

Yes. The offer is free. Once countersigned, it binds both parties.