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Moving: a guide to administrative formalities

FRANCE | EXPATS

BANKEAZ | Expats Team
8/27/2024 - 5 min read

There is much more involved in the process of relocating than just packing boxes.

It is essential to consider the various administrative tasks that come with moving, such as managing contracts with service providers, updating your address with contacts, and ensuring smooth parking arrangements on the day of the move.

If you are unsure about the formalities required for your relocation, we are here to provide assistance and guidance.

#MovingTips #RelocationSupport.

> Administrative formalities before your move

Moving is a series of steps, from giving notice to hiring a professional mover. Here we present the main administrative steps involved in moving house in France.

- Give notice if you rent your home

If you're a tenant, the first administrative step you need to take before moving house is to give notice.

As a tenant in France, you are required by law to give your landlord notice of your move.

The notice period is one month for furnished accommodation and three months for empty accommodation.

However, the notice period can be reduced to 1 month if the empty property is located in a tense area, as is the case in Paris (source: Service-Public).

You can send your notice to your landlord (or estate agent in the case of rental management) by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, or hand-deliver it against a signed receipt.

Specify in your letter that you wish to leave the property at the end of the notice period, and that the notice period begins on receipt of your letter.

To make it easier to write your letter, you'll find sample letters online.

- Reserve a parking space near your new address for your move

Before the big day, think about how you're going to park your removal vehicle: in front of a door, in front of your neighbor's driveway if he agrees, in a nearby parking space...

The key word: anticipate.

Don't hesitate to ask your neighbors for permission, if necessary, or to leave a small sign in the street as a warning.

In a big city where parking spaces can be scarce, you may have to park on the road. In this case, you'll need to contact your local council to obtain a parking permit for the day.

Once you've obtained it, keep it in a safe place.

You'll need to show it when you're inspected.

If you're hiring a professional mover, ask whether the cost of obtaining this permit is included in the price quoted, or whether you're responsible for arranging it yourself.

- Insure your new home

In France, all tenants are required by law to take out compulsory insurance for the property they occupy.

This insurance is designed to cover rental risks such as fire or water damage.

The home insurance package generally includes the standard compulsory insurances, and you can add options if necessary, particularly if you wish to cover your electrical appliances, bicycle, etc.

If you are already covered for your current home, insurance companies offer to transfer your home insurance policy to your new address.

In the event of overlapping dates, your insurance company will also cover both homes, so please inform them in advance.

- Using a professional removal company

If your budget allows, you can also count on the help of a professional moving company.

To choose the best option, contact several professionals and take the time to compare the prices and services offered in the quotes.

Depending on your needs, you can book transportation alone, or transport your boxes from one room to another, boxing and packing...

Everything is often done à la carte. If you want to optimize your moving budget, consider recycling used boxes.

Many people donate them on neighbor groups or classified ad sites, for example, but you can also turn to local retailers.

- Inform your electricity, gas and Internet suppliers of your move

Before leaving your old home, contact your various suppliers to inform them of your departure date.

They'll tell you how to organize your departure.

For water, gas and electricity, remember to read your consumption on your meter if necessary, so that your suppliers can draw up your last bill.

Don't hesitate to find out in good time about the formalities involved in moving, particularly from your Internet service provider, to anticipate delivery times or line activation, for example.

> Administrative formalities after the move

There are fewer steps to take, but once you've moved, they're still important.

- Inventory of fixtures on moving into the new property if you are renting

Among the administrative formalities required for your move is the inventory of fixtures at your new address.

At this stage, be sure to go over everything with the landlord or real estate agent, and point out anything you think might be useful (a mailbox that doesn't close properly, a water heater that looks a little worn, any water leaks, etc.).

It's important to take the time to carry out a complete inventory of fixtures when you sign the lease.

You should also contact the landlord promptly if there are any additional items to report.

All this will enable you to protect the deposit paid for the property.

- Remember to update your address after your move

To ensure you continue to receive all your mail, you'll need to notify your new address to various organizations, such as your bank, your insurance company, your mutual insurance company, your tax office and your employer.

You should also contact your energy and Internet suppliers.

If you're looking for work and receiving benefits, you need to inform your paymaster (CAF or Pôle Emploi, for example) as soon as possible.

Most of these formalities can now be carried out online.

- Register to vote

When you move home, you often have to change polling station.

So don't forget to register on the electoral roll for your new constituency.

This will enable you to receive your voter's card and vote in the next elections.

> Moving house: financial and administrative assistance available

When you move, there are a number of aids and services available to ease the administrative burden and your budget.

On the administrative side, for your mail, visit the La Poste website to sign up for a forwarding contract to your new address.

Depending on the option you choose, your mail will be redirected to the destination of your choice for 6 months to 1 year.

When it comes to financial assistance, for example the Caisse d'Allocations Familiales (CAF) provides a moving bonus ↗, subject to certain conditions.

The Fonds de Solidarité pour le Logement (FSL) offers means-tested assistance to help finance your move if you are in financial difficulty.

Action Logement also offers assistance known as Mobili-Pass for salaried employees for example, or Agri-Mobilité and Agri-mobilité-jeune for employees in the agricultural sector.

Full details of these grants and loans are available on the government website ↗.

Finally, some employers may offer financial assistance to help you move if you need to relocate as part of your job. If such assistance is not offered, some private companies may grant special days off to enable you to move without having to use your normal paid vacation days.

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