Now that's what I call a gite
Living in France is fine and dandy but, unless you have substantial private means, you'll still going to need some income. In many cases of Brits moving to France this will mean using their property for chambres d'hotes (bed and breakfast) and/or a gite (which is a self-catering annexe - usually with a pool). Gites are preferable because your guests are self-catering; less of a nuisance and with any luck come back year after year. So if your new French property already has a gite attached and is registered with a good gite booking organisation such as Clévacances or Acceuil Paysan, then, provided you follow the golden rule of keeping the gite in immaculate order, you should get off to flying start.
Take care however when buying an existing gite business in France. Although the booking sheets may reflect a healthy business, you should run a few checks for yourself. (Just phone up one or two guests under the pretext of checking future bookings). And make sure you are given accurate accounts! Remember the old saying for the sale of a business in France. The seller usually has three sets of accounts. One for the Taxman; one for the prospective buyer and the actual figures!
But what if you are starting from scratch? First of course you must buy a suitable property, which means using a knowledgeable agent. This is where an experienced U.K. agent such as the French Property Shop in Ashford is very useful. They have sold dozens of properties suitable for conversion into gites. For example, small farms or ‘maisons de maitre' with outbuildings. They can do the searching for you. They also have a legal department to help with the conveyancing and planning formalities - even if you don't buy through them!
If you do the searching yourself, take the greatest care. You must ensure that a gite conversion is legally possible in principle before you buy. Which means a visit to the local planning office to ensure the existing buildings are ‘constructible'. And that there is sufficient land for a pool, drainage and other utilities. Note that if the property is prone to flooding you will not get planning permission for a pool. Also remember that you may not be able to register with a reputable gite company unless the conversion is done with character, in the right place and to the required standard. For example, if your property is near any major road or railways, you will almost certainly be rejected by Gites de France. They require gites of a traditional style in a ‘quality environment'.
As an example, a property was rejected by a leading gite company because the house, although rural in character and fine in all other respects, was adjacent to a turf business. Too many lorries coming and going!
To make absolutely sure you are buying a suitable property, you could take advantage of the free consultancy service provided, for example, by Gites de France in Brittany, who are keen to assist new owners in that part of France. If you send them plans of the property and the adjacent area together with details of your proposed renovations, they will give you advice on whether the completed project would prove suitable. They will also give you guidance on planning permission, retaining contractors and an idea of the total costs of the renovation project. Crucially they will also give you an idea of the rent yield from the completed gite. (Tel: 02 98 64 20 22).
Gites de France place great emphasis on ‘la qualité'. In other words that the craftsmanship and materials of the completed project must be of the highest standard. This of course is to maintain the good name of the company, but also because well appointed units are highly favoured by their customers - which is why they are keen to get to know you before the project has begun.
Be prepared however in the case of Gites de France for absolute company loyalty. You will be forbidden from using other gite companies, in particular B and B and Clévacances. You will lose your registration if you do so and get found out! Although you will still be able to take private bookings from friends or via your website.
Philip Winter-Taylor
01233 666968
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