Frequently Asked Questions
French Property Terms & Glossary
French property related Common Terms & Useful Words
| A Rénover | In Need Of Renovation |
| Acheteur | Purchaser/Buyer |
| Acompte | Deposit |
| Acquérir | To Buy |
| Acte Authentique De Vente | Deed Of Sale |
| Action | Share |
| Actuellement | Actually |
| ADI (Assurance Décès Invalidité) | Term And Invalidity Insurance |
| Affaire | Bargain |
| Agence | Agency/Branch |
| Agent Immobilier | Estate Agent |
| Aménagé | Converted |
| Ancien | Old |
| Annuité | Periodic Payment, Usually Annually |
| Are | 100sq. Meters |
| Argent Liquide | Cash |
| Armoire | Cupboard |
| Ascenseur | Lift |
| Assurance Décès | Life Assurance (For Loan) |
| Atelier | Workshop |
| Attenant | Contiguous |
| Attestation De Propriété | Proof Of Ownership Of A Property |
| Avec | With |
| Avec Tout Le Confort | With All Mod. Cons. |
| Avis À Tiers Détenteur | Notice To Third Party Holder |
| Avocat | Solicitor |
| Baignoire | Bath |
| Ballon A Eau Chaude | Hot Water Tank |
| Ballon Électrique | Electric Boiler |
| Banlieue | Suburb |
| Batiment | Building |
| Bénéficiaire | Beneficiary |
| Bergerie | Sheepfold/Sheep Pen |
| Bibliotheque | Library |
| Boiseries | Woodwork |
| Bord De Mer | Seaside |
| Bourg | Small Town / Village Centre |
| Bricolage | Diy / Repairs |
| Buanderie | Laundry/Utility Room |
| Bureau | Office |
| Cabinet/WC | Toilets |
| Cadastre | Land Registry |
| Calme | Quiet |
| Campagne | Country |
| Carrelage | Tiled Floor |
| Caution | Guarantee |
| Cave | Cellar |
| Cave Voutée | Vaulted Cellar |
| Centre Commercial | Shopping Centre |
| Cession | Conveyance |
| Chambre | Bedroom |
| Charges Comprises | Service Charges Included |
| Charpente | Structure |
| Chaud | Hot |
| Chaudière | Boiler |
| Chauffage | Heating |
| Chauffage Central | Central Heating |
| Chaume | Thatch |
| Chaumière | Thatched Cottage |
| Cheminée | Fireplace |
| Chèque | Cheque |
| Chèque De Banque | Bankers Draft |
| Climatisation | Air-Conditioning |
| Code Confidential | Pin Number |
| Colombier | Pigeon House |
| Comble | Loft |
| Commerces | Shops |
| Commodités | Lavatory |
| Commune | Town/Village/District |
| Compromis/Promesse De Vente | Preliminary Sales Agreement |
| Comptable | Accountant |
| Compteur | Meter |
| Condition Suspensive | Let-Out Clause |
| Contrat De Réservation | Reservation Contract |
| Convention | Agreement |
| Couloir | Corridor |
| Cour | Yard/Courtyard |
| Cour De Ferme | Farmyard |
| Couvert | Covered |
| Crédit | Credit |
| Crédit Hypothécaire | Mortgage |
| Cuisine | Kitchen |
| Cuisine Aménegée | Fitted Kitchen |
| Cuisine Americaine | Open Plan Kitchen |
| Cuisine Équipée | Equipped Kitchen |
| Date D'expiration | Expiry Date |
| Débarras | Box Room |
| Débattre | To Be Discussed |
| Débit | Debit |
| Découvert | Overdraft |
| Demandé | Required |
| Dépendence | Outbuilding |
| Dépôt | Deposit |
| Dernier | Last |
| Dernier Étage | Top Floor |
| Devise | (Foreign) Currency |
| Divers (-es) | Various |
| Double Vitrage | Double Glazing |
| Douche | Shower |
| Droit De Passage | Right Of Way |
| Ecuries | Stables |
| En Bon État | In Good Condition |
| Ensoleillement | Sunshine |
| Entrée | Hallway |
| Entretien | Maintenance |
| Environ | Approximatively |
| Escalier | Stairs |
| Espèces | Cash |
| Est | East |
| Etage | Storey |
| Expert De Batiment | Surveyor |
| Expert Géomètre | Land Surveyor |
| Expertise | Valuation Appraisal |
| Exposé Nord | North Facing |
| Exposition | Exposure |
| Facture | Bill/Invoice |
| Fenêtre | Window |
| Ferme | Farm |
| Feuille De Paie | Payslip |
| Finitions | Finishing |
| Fosse Septique | Septic Tank |
| Four | Oven |
| Frais | Fees |
| Frais De Dossier | Mortgage Arrangement Fee |
| Frais De Notaire | Notary's Fees |
| Gardien | Caretaker |
| Gare | Train Station |
| Gare Routiere | Bus Station |
| Grand | Large |
| Grange | Barn |
| Grenier | Attic |
| Honoraires | Notary's Fee |
| Hypothèque | Legal Charge (Mortgage Deed) |
| Immeuble | Block Of Flats |
| Impôt | Tax |
| Jardin | Garden |
| Juriste | Lawyer |
| Lavabo | Sink |
| Laverie | Laundry |
| Lingerie | Linen Room |
| Local | Premises |
| Location | Rental/Tenancy |
| Logement | Accommodation |
| Lotissement | Housing Estate |
| Maçon | Builder (Bricklayer) |
| Mairie | Townhall |
| Maison 4 Pièces | 4 Room House (excl. Kitchen & Bathroom) |
| Maison De Campagne | Country House |
| Maison Mitoyenne | Semi Detached House |
| Maison Paysanne | Farm House |
| Mandat De Vente | Contract To Sell |
| Mas | Farm House In The Provence Area |
| Menuiseries | Woodwork |
| Menuisier | Carpenter |
| Monnaie | Currency |
| Moquette | Carpet |
| Moulin | Mill/Watermill |
| Multirisques Habitation | Buildings & Contents Insurance Policy |
| Mur | Wall |
| Mur Mitoyen | Separating Wall |
| Neuf | New |
| Niveau | Level |
| Nombreux | Many |
| Nord | North |
| Notaire | French Notary |
| Opposition | Cancellation Of Payment |
| Ouest | West |
| Parfait | Perfect |
| Parking | Car Park |
| Parquet | Wooden Floor |
| Particulier | Individual |
| Pavillon | Detached House |
| Pelouse | Lawn |
| Penderie | Wardrobe |
| Période D'anticipation | Pre-Completion Period |
| Perron | Flight Of Stairs In Front Of A Property |
| Piece | Room |
| Pierre De Taille | Freestone |
| Piscine | Swimming Pool |
| Placard | Cupboard |
| Placement | Investment |
| Plafond | Ceiling |
| Plain Pied | Single Storey House |
| Plan D'eau | Water Feature/Pond |
| Plomberie | Plumbing |
| Plombier | Plumber |
| Plus Values | Capital Gains |
| Portail | Gate |
| Porte | Door |
| Potager | Kitchen Garden |
| Poubelles | Garbage Can |
| Pour | For |
| Poutre | Wooden Beam |
| Prélèvement Automatique | Direct Debit |
| Prêt | Loan |
| Prêt Garanti | Secured Loan |
| Prêteur | Lender |
| Principal | Main |
| Prise Électrique | Electric Socket |
| Procuration | Power Of Attorney |
| Propriétaire | Owner |
| Propriété | Property |
| Puits | Well |
| Rangements | Storage Space |
| Refait | Restored |
| Relevé De Compte | Bank Statement |
| Relevé D'identité Bancaire (RIB) | Bank Identity Record |
| Remboursement | Reimbursement/Repayment |
| Renové | Renovated |
| Renseignements | Informations/Enquiries |
| Rentabilité | Profitability |
| Réservoir | Water Tank |
| Revêtement | Covering (Wall Or Floors) |
| Salle De Bains | Bathroom |
| Salle De Séjour | Living Room |
| Salon | Sitting/Living Room |
| Sans | Without |
| Sol | Ground |
| Solde | Balance |
| Sous-Sol | Basement (Garage/Storage) |
| Standing | High Quality |
| Sur Deux (2) Niveaux | Two Storey |
| Tableau D'amortissement | Monthly Repayment Schedule |
| Taux De Change | Exchange Rate |
| TEG | APR |
| Terrain | Grounds/Land |
| Terrasse | Terrace |
| Testament | Will |
| Toit / Toiture | Roof |
| Tout | All |
| Tout A L'égout | Main Drainage System |
| Travaux | Building Works |
| Très Bon État | Very Good Condition |
| TVA | VAT |
| Urbanisme | Town Planning |
| Valable | Valid |
| Vendeur | Vendor |
| Vente En L'etat Futur D'achèvement (Vefa) | Purchase Of Property Not Yet Completed |
| Verger | Orchard |
| Vestibule | Entrance Hall |
| Viabilisé | Pre-Equipped With Main Services |
| Virement | Transfer, Standing Order |
| Volets | Window Shutters |
| Vue | View |
