A
Acte authentique
The official deed signed at the notary's office that transfers property ownership. This is the final signature, after which you receive the keys.
Apport personnel (Deposit)
The sum you invest from your own funds, without borrowing. Banks typically require 10-20% deposit.
Assemblée générale (AG)
Annual meeting of co-owners that votes on important decisions: works, budget, managing agent. The AG minutes reveal the building's health.
C
Carnet d'entretien
Mandatory building maintenance log that records works done and equipment condition. Useful for anticipating future expenses.
Charges de copropriété
Common building expenses: maintenance, concierge, lift, collective heating. Check amounts before buying.
Chasseur immobilier (Property Hunter)
A professional who searches for property on behalf of a buyer. They exclusively defend the buyer's interests, unlike estate agents.
Compromis de vente
Preliminary contract signed between seller and buyer that commits both parties. It precedes the final deed by 2-3 months.
Conditions suspensives
Contract clauses that allow cancellation without penalty if not fulfilled (e.g., obtaining a mortgage).
Copropriété
Legal regime of a building divided into units belonging to different owners. Each co-owner holds a share of the common parts.
D
Délai de rétractation
10-day period after signing the preliminary contract during which the buyer can withdraw without reason or penalty.
Diagnostics immobiliers
Mandatory property surveys: DPE, asbestos, lead, electricity, gas, etc. Paid by the seller and attached to the contract.
DPE (Energy Performance Certificate)
Rating from A to G evaluating energy consumption. Poor ratings (F, G) impact value and rental possibilities.
Droit de préemption
Right granted to certain parties (the local authority, the tenant) to buy a property ahead of others. The notary checks whether it applies.
F
Fonds de travaux
Mandatory building reserve fund (since 2017) to finance major future works. Minimum 5% of annual budget.
Frais de notaire (Notary fees)
Sum paid to the notary at purchase, including transfer taxes, notary fees and various costs. About 7-8% in existing properties.
H
Honoraires (Fees)
The property hunter's or agent's remuneration. At Home Select: 2.5% of the purchase price (minimum €10,000 incl. VAT), paid only on success.
L
Loi Carrez
The private floor area of a co-ownership lot, measured under strict rules (ceiling height above 1.80m). Must be disclosed at sale.
Loi Hoguet
The law governing the property professions: professional licence, written mandate, financial guarantee and professional liability insurance.
LMNP (Furnished Rental)
A tax-efficient status for owners letting furnished property. Allows depreciation of the asset and reduces the taxable base.
M
Mandat de recherche (Search Mandate)
The contract between property hunter and client, setting out the brief, the duration and the fees. Required by law.
Marge de négociation
The gap between the asking price and the agreed sale price. In Paris, currently 5 to 8% on average.
N
Notaire (Notary)
A public officer who drafts and authenticates the deed of sale. Buyers may appoint their own notary at no extra cost.
O
Off-market
Properties sold privately, never publicly advertised. We see more than 100 off-market listings every day through our network of 15,000 partners.
Offre d'achat (Purchase offer)
A written proposal from buyer to seller setting out the price and the conditions. It binds the buyer morally but not legally until the preliminary contract is signed.
P
Parties communes (Common parts)
Building elements owned by all co-owners: hallway, staircase, roof, façade, lift.
Parties privatives (Private parts)
Elements owned solely by each co-owner: the flat itself, and where applicable a cellar or a parking space.
Prêt immobilier (Mortgage)
A bank loan to finance the purchase. A condition precedent protects the buyer if the loan is declined.
Primo-accédant (First-time buyer)
Someone buying property for the first time. Certain schemes (such as the PTZ) are reserved for first-time buyers.
PTZ (Zero-interest loan)
An interest-free loan for first-time buyers, subject to income limits. The amount and terms vary by zone.
Q
Quote-part (Share)
Each co-owner's share of the common parts, expressed in thousandths. Determines the contribution to charges and the weight of votes at the AG.
R
Règlement de copropriété
The document setting out how the building is run: use of the common parts, permitted works, allocation of charges.
Rendement locatif (Rental yield)
The ratio of annual rent to the purchase price. Gross: rent over price. Net: after charges and taxes.
S
Séquestre (Escrow)
A sum paid at the signing of the preliminary contract (5 to 10% of the price), held in escrow until completion. It is credited against the purchase price.
Surface habitable (Living area)
The built floor area, less walls, partitions and any space with a ceiling height below 1.80m. Different from the Carrez area.
Syndic (Managing agent)
The professional or volunteer who runs the co-ownership: maintenance, accounts, organising the AG. Elected by the co-owners.
T
Tantièmes (Shares)
The units used to measure each lot's share in the co-ownership. For example: 150 / 10,000 shares.
Taxe foncière (Property tax)
An annual tax paid by the owner, based on the property's notional rental value on the cadastre.
V
Viager (Life annuity sale)
A sale in which the buyer pays an initial lump sum and then a life annuity to the seller until death. Uncommon, but it can throw up opportunities.
Vice caché (Hidden defect)
A defect not apparent at the time of purchase, which makes the property unfit for use or significantly reduces its value. It can lead to rescission of the sale or a price reduction.
