Here we have compiled a list of common terms that you are likely to come across when Buying or Selling Property in France.

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Abonnement	The standing charge for supplying a utility.
Achèvement des fondations	Foundations laid for a new property.
Achèvement des travaux	Works completed on a new building.
Acte authentique	The final contract.
Acte de vente	Another term used for the final contract.
Agent immobilier	An estate agent.
Apostille	Legal stamp from Foreign Office; it is normally required if power of attorney for acte is signed.
Attestation	Confirmation that a transaction has taken place.
Bail	A lease.
Barème	A list of amounts, as in agency's fees.
Bastide	Imposing stone property, usually double-fronted, in Provence.
Bâtiments de France	Organisation that checks refurbishments or building works to or near to a listed building.
Bon de visite	A form signed by the person viewing a property to confirm that they have visted it.
Bon pour achat	OK to buy.
Carte de séjour	A French residency permit and identity card.
Carte professionnelle	A licence to work within a profession that is regulated e.g. French estate agents.
Certificat d'urbanisme	Permission for change of use of a property or outbuildings.
Chambres d'hôte	Bed and breakfast accommodation
Château	A castle, which can be small or immense. The architectural styles vary depending on the area and age of the building.
Clause suspensive	A condition which a contract is subject to; unless and until this is satisfied the contract is not firm or irrevocable.
Co-indivisaire	Co-owner.
Colombage	A traditional house in Normandy and parts of Aquitaine.
Commune	A small community, e.g. a town, village or parish, which is usually rural, with its own mayor and town hall.
Compromis	The first contract of reservation on a property.
Conseil Général	A regional council.
Conseil Syndical	The management committee of co-owners of the apartments within a block or complex.
Copropriétaires	The co-owners who are freeholders in a complex or block of apartments and make up a tenants' association.
Copropriété	A residence, compex or buiding which is split up into separate and physically distinct apartments, i.e. a block of flats or development of houses in which all the owners own a share of the freehold.
Déclaration d'intention d'aliéner	A notification sent to the Mairie to establish pre-emption rights.
Départements	The 95 administrative divisions in France.
Dépôt de garantie	A stage-payment deposit.
Dommage ouvrage	Buildings defects liability insurance, taken out by a developer on a building site.
Droit de pré-emption	The right to pre-empt, i.e. of the authorities to purchase a property in priority to the proposed purchaser.
Droit n'existe pas	The right to pre-empt does not exist.
Droit non-exercé	Right of pre-emption not exercised.
Etat civil	Personal information provided by the buyer of a property for inclusion within the contract.
Facture	A bill, e.g. a utility bill.
Fermette	A small farmhouse in Northern France.
Gaz	Butane or propane gas supplied in canisters or by tanker.
Gîte	A self-contained unit which can be rented out as a holiday let.
HT or Horstaxes	Without Tax
Hôtel de ville	The town hall - usually in a larger town.
Huissier de justice	A bailiff or court official.
Hypothèque	A mortgage.
Indivision	Tenants in common.
Leaseback purchase	The purchase of a freehold property and granting of a 9-12 year lease to a holiday company which will pay a guaranteed rental.
Longère	A long, low house, often in Northern France.
Lotissement	A group of plots of land with building permission situated together and sold separately to enable purchasers to build their own houses.
Lu et approuvé	Read and approved.
Mairie	The town hall - in small towns.
Maison de maître	Double-fronted property, usually of nineteeenth-century origin.
Maison de tourisme	A tourist office.
Mas	A rectangular stone property which is found in Southern France, especially Provence.
Menuiserie extérieures posées	Second fixing on a new building.
Mise hors d'eau	The stage at which the roof is put on a new property.
Notaire	Legally qualified person and government representative; the only person empowered to convey property in France and collect taxes on conveyed properties. Deals with property and family law but not litigation.
Notice descriptive	A list of materials and finishes which is always attached to a contract to purchase a new off-plan property.
Off-plan purchase	To buy a property which is not yet built from plans.
Ouverture de chantier	Start of building work.
Plan de masse	A plan of the site.
Plancher bas rez-de-chausée	Ground floor stage.
Préfecture	The headquarters of the administration, found in the main town of each département.
Procuration	Power of attorney or proxy.
Projet d'acte	A copy of the acte (final contract) for purchasing an off-plan property.
Raccordement	Connection, e.g. to utilities.
Remise des clés	Handing over the keys of an off-plan property after snagging is completed.
Société civile immobilière (SCI)	A French property holding company in whose name a property may be purchased.
Syndic	A managing agent.
Taxe foncière	Tax, as in rates, which is paid by the owner of a property.
Taxe d'habitation	Local tax payable on habitable buildings, which is paid by the person who is living permanently in the property.
TTC or Toutes Taxes Comprises	Tax Included
TVA	French equivalent of VAT (Value Added Tax). Presently 19.6%.
Vente à terme	Off-plan.