Micala's back - and there's lots to chew over!

In this episode: a Facebook post about deposits that had Micala seething before 4am, the growing crackdown on cash-in-hand work in France, and a very public social media post from some new arrivals that raised more than a few eyebrows. Plus, working from home in your pyjamas, the French social system defended, and a lovely shout-out from a well-respected voice in the renovating-in-France community.

Resources mentioned:

• Renovations in France — Professional tradesman, Peter Gerrit's well-regarded Facebook group.
• Fix Radio — UK radio station and podcast for the trades, referenced during the episode.
• CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales) — the French family allowance fund that provides housing and other support.

Mini glossary:

• Devis — a formal written quote that, once signed, forms a binding contract. Should always include payment terms.
• Travail au noir — cash-in-hand work that is undeclared to French tax and social charge authorities. Both the worker and the person employing them can face serious penalties.
• BTP (Bâtiment et Travaux Publics) — the construction and public works sector; one of the top three sectors targeted by French anti-fraud authorities.
• Cotisations sociales — social charges paid by businesses and workers in France, funding healthcare, pensions, unemployment benefit and more.
• CAF — the French family allowance fund, providing housing aid, apprenticeship support and other benefits.
• Mairie — the town hall; local planning and governance authority.

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What do a Bulgarian holiday from hell, a suspicious YouTube arrangement, the rise of eco villages, and an 18% energy bill discount have in common? They're all on the menu in this 'Rants and Bants' episode of French Reno Diaries, brought to you by Rosie and Sue (Micala is off doing charity work - more on that soon).

Resources mentioned:

• A New Life in the Sun - C4 series following people starting new lives across Europe.
• Le Manoir Cachet, Merdrignac - a beautifully renovated manoir in Brittany.
• Label Energy - the green energy supplier Sue mentions as a good alternative to EDF.

Mini glossary:

• Lotissement - a planned housing development where a plot of land is divided up and individual plots sold for self-build. Often referred to as a pavillon lotissement when the houses built are pavillons (standard new-build houses).
• Pavillon - a modern, detached new-build house, typically fairly modest in size and style.
• Pompe à chaleur - an air source or ground source heat pump; a popular and government-subsidised heating system in France. Has been the subject of some mis-selling scandals.
• Mairie - the town hall; the local administrative body responsible for planning permissions and local governance.
• Maison de maître - a large, elegant townhouse or manor house, typically 19th century, associated with the professional or merchant classes.
• Maison de caractère - an estate agent term for a property with distinctive, original period features.

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Think you can save money by managing your own renovation project in France? You might want to listen to this first.

In this episode, Rosie and Sue (Micala is off running a fundraising event - more on that next time) get into the detail on project management: what a professional project manager actually does, what it costs, the legal framework you need to understand as a homeowner in France, and the red flags to watch out for when hiring one. Frank, practical and - as ever - unfiltered.

For a detailed summary of everything discussed in this episode, go to www.frenchrenodiaries.com.

Resources mentioned:

• Chambre de Métiers et de l'Artisanat - the body responsible for artisan accreditation in France.
• URSSAF - the organisation that collects social charges from artisans and businesses in France; issues the attestation de vigilance.
• French Reno Diaries - How to be a good client - referenced during the episode and well worth a listen if you're thinking about managing your own renovation project

Mini glossary:

• Maître d'ouvrage - the project owner; legally remains the homeowner even when a project manager is hired.
• Maître d'œuvre - the project manager; contracted to coordinate and oversee works on the owner's behalf.
• Devis - a formal written quote from an artisan, which becomes the contract once signed.
• Décennale - compulsory ten-year structural liability insurance required of all artisans in France.
• Attestation de vigilance - a certificate from URSSAF confirming an artisan is up to date with their social charge declarations.
• ERP (Établissement Recevant du Public) - classification for any building open to the public, triggering specific fire, safety and accessibility regulations.
• Gîte - a self-catering holiday rental. Chambre d'hôtes - a bed and breakfast.

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