New build France - lotissement vs individual plot
Question: I’m considering having a home built in France and would like to know what the difference is between a plot on a lotissement and an individual building plot?
Mr H Gorman
Answer: Lotissements are self-build developments which are very often situated on the edge of a village or town. They were conceived to make building land more accessible for everyone and are very popular particularly among young couples and families as plots are sold at extremely low prices.
The local authority makes available a piece of land it already owns or it purchases land which is then divided into individual plots (one of the translations of the French word lot is plot in English). All services run to the edge of the plot, ie water, electricity, telephone and, importantly, connection to the mains sewage system. Once the property is built, the only additional charges to pay are the connection fees to the electricity board, water board and France Telecom.
If you are comparing plots to buy, always remember to add in the cost of a septic tank – approx €5,000 (£3,491) depending on the size required – if you don’t have access to the mains sewage system.
Most local authorities will specify a time limit within which the build must have been started, eg two years to start and another year to complete the property. This is simply to ensure that no more heavy building work remains to be done once the new roads and paths have been finished. Check the requirements with your local mairie.
In keeping with their ethos, lotissement regulations usually prohibit the purchase of several plots by one buyer and resale at a higher price. In this way the person who buys the last plot on the development pays no more per square metre than the first buyer who came along. Plot sizes usually range from 600 to 1,000m² and prices depend on the locality where you buy.
Buying on a lotissement can be a good way of securing a fully serviced building plot at an amazingly low price near the amenities. Until now, buyers have been predominantly French although, more recently, some British names are beginning to appear on the buyers’ lists. If your desire is to integrate into a French neighbourhood, practise the language and to become part of the local community, a lotissement plot is the way ahead for you.
However, if you are looking for a larger plot (more than 1,000m²) in a more individual setting you may find the lotissement regulations somewhat restrictive. All properties are individually designed but a ‘lotissement code’ needs to be adhered to which is set out by the local authority. Most mairies have an information pack available to inform you on the different aspects of their lotissement.
For more information on Brittany New Build Services email: darren.franklin@club-internet.fr or telephone: 00 33 (0)2 96 43 06 85