Notaire questions
Notaire questions before buying French property
The notaire is central to a French property purchase. Before you sign a compromis de vente, use these questions to understand the process, costs, documents and any conditions you may need before committing.
Process and money questions
- What are the expected acquisition costs on this purchase, and when are they paid?
- What deposit is expected, where is it held and what happens if a condition is not satisfied?
- What is the likely timescale from offer to compromis and from compromis to final acte de vente?
- What is my withdrawal period, when does it start and how is notice given if I need to withdraw?
Conditions and checks before signing
- Which conditions suspensives are appropriate for this purchase?
- If I need a mortgage, survey, quote, planning answer or drainage check, how should that be handled?
- Are there any rights of way, easements, planning restrictions or pre-emption rights that could affect the property?
- Are boundaries, land parcels, outbuildings and included fixtures clearly described?
Diagnostics and property questions
- Has the full diagnostic file been provided, and are any reports missing or out of date?
- Does the DPE, electricity, gas, asbestos, lead, termite or risk information require further professional advice?
- If there is a fosse septique, is the sanitation report current and what does it require?
- Are there any planning permissions, declarations of works, guarantees or unresolved compliance issues?
Questions for UK buyers
- Can I use my own notaire as well as the seller's notaire?
- Will I need translations or bilingual professional support for documents I do not fully understand?
- How should ownership structure, inheritance planning and tax questions be handled before completion?
- Which questions must be answered before signing, and which can wait until later?
Related guides
- French house buying checklist
- What to check before buying property in France
- French house viewing questions to ask
- Fosse septique questions for French property viewings
Official references to keep handy
- Notaires de France: compromis de vente
- Notaires de France: acquisition costs
- Service-Public.fr: diagnostics for a property sale
This page is a question prompt, not legal advice. Use a notaire and other qualified professionals for the decision points that matter.