01/06/2026
🚨 IMPORTANT WHEN SELLING YOUR PROPERTY IN FRANCE 🚨
Before putting your house on the market, it is absolutely essential to ensure that all planning permissions are in place and fully compliant.
This includes:
🏗️ Permis de construire (full planning permission)
📄 Déclaration préalable de travaux (prior works declaration)
But it doesn’t stop there…
⚠️ Many sellers are unaware that even “smaller” changes can require official approval, such as:
🪟 Replacing windows or doors if the material or appearance has changed (e.g. wood to PVC, colour changes, altering size or style)
🏡 Extensions, garages, verandas
🏊 Pools and pool covers
🔨 Barn or loft conversions
🏠 Roofline or structural alterations
🚨 Why this matters so much now:
Notaires and buyers are becoming far more strict, and missing documentation can:
❌ Delay the sale significantly
❌ Create legal uncertainty for buyers
❌ Lead to price renegotiations
❌ Even cause transactions to fall through
✨ The key message:
If it changes the exterior appearance, it may need declaring.
If you dont have the papers the Mairie will have copies
💡 My strongest advice is always: check everything BEFORE you list your property for sale. It’s far easier to resolve early than under pressure during a sale.
If you’re unsure about your property’s situation, it’s always worth getting advice — it can save a lot of stress further down the line.
