Buying Guide Details

Buying Property in Nord-Pas-de-Calais

Where to buy property in North Calais (Nord-Pas-de-Calais)

Overseas buyers of property in North Calais (Nord-Pas-de-Calais) find that this region balances some of the familiar feel of life in the UK with a distinctly French twist and some Flemish influence, situated as it is near the Belgian border. While it is rural and quaint in parts, industry has also been an important part of this region’s history and business is still important here – connections to the UK, the rest of France and the whole of northern Europe are making Pas-de-Calais a travel and business hub, which should be good news for investors in property in the area.

In Lille the region boasts a wonderful rejuvenated city. Recent government investment includes the stylish station (thanks to Eurostar, Kent and London are very commutable) and a modern industrial area attracting new business here. There’s a very charming and historic Old Town that owes its elegance to the city’s affluent industrial past.

Those looking for rural France this close to the UK will find it in large parts of the region, particularly in the les-developed north. The area is well known for its festivals and there are numerous lively towns too, such as St. Omer and Montreuil-sur-Mer, with shops and markets servicing the rural communities thereabouts.

The Opal Coast is renowned for its quality beaches, such as the one at Le Touquet, a busy resort that is popular with holidaying Parisians in particular. The town’s great amenities, including shopping, a water park, casinos and golf, along with its proximity to the UK, makes the area an ideal holiday home destination.

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The Process of Buying Property in Nord-Pas-de-Calais

• Once the buyer has found a property in Nord-Pas-de-Calais and made an offer, both parties must sign a compromis; a legally binding agreement setting out all terms involved
• Financing will have to be sorted out by this stage as details regarding any loans must be clearly outlined in the compromis
• There is then a seven-day cooling-off period, which gives the buyer (but not the seller) the opportunity to back out of the deal without penalty. A 10% deposit is then required and the notaire then carries out all checks on the property (for clean title, wood rot, etc)
• Before the signing takes place, all funds must be transferred to the notary’s account. Failure to do this on time could mean the buyer loses both the property in Nord-Pas-de-Calais and the money
• If the buyer is not able to visit the property in Nord-Pas-de-Calais before signing the final contract, a representative should do so on their behalf to make sure that everything is in order. The contract clearly states that the property is accepted in its condition on the day of sale
• Finally the acte de vente is signed in front of the notary, and the sale is complete.

Homes Overseas Property Club

Homes Overseas has joined forces with a collection of IFA specialists to form the Homes Overseas Property Club (HOPC), designed for existing and prospective overseas property homeowners.

The Club – which has access to international lawyers in no fewer than 43 different countries - has been set up in order to guide people through some of the various issues relating to buying and maintaining a property overseas. It offers advice on a range of topics, including financial, legal, insurance, taxation, property management and foreign currency matters.

For further information please telephone 0845 838 7142 or email info@homesoverseaspropertyclub.com

Fees & Taxes

• Vary hugely depending on the region and type of property in Nord-Pas-de-Calais, but set aside 12 to 15% of the selling price
• Allow around 6 to 8% per cent for notaire’s fees. This includes stamp duty, which varies from 0.6% for a new-build property in Nord-Pas-de-Calais to 6% for any property in Nord-Pas-de-Calais over five years old
• Agents’ fees vary greatly and can be anywhere from 4 to 15%. Around 7% is the most common amount, but check when looking in agent’s windows for the letters FAI after the price – this indicates that their fees are already included
• IVA (VAT) of 19.6% is applicable on most fees and taxes, but is avoided on leasebacks. The price of new-build property in Nord-Pas-de-Calais usually includes 19.6% IVA, but always verify this from the start
• If a property in Nord-Pas-de-Calais is sold on within two years,  capital gains tax is likely to be in excess of 33%
• Transfer tax varies greatly, but for property in Nord-Pas-de-Calais over five years it tends to be around 7%.

Getting there

Channel Tunnel rail services to Calais and Lille along with numerous ferry connections are the most popular way of getting to the area. None of the region’s small airports has direct flights from the UK.

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