Glossary of terms
Acquéreur – purchaser
Acte Authentique – notarial deed
Acte de Vente – conveyance deed
Agent Immobilier – French Real Estate Agent
Amiante – asbestos
Assainissement – drainage
Batiment – building
Batir – to build
Biens – Property, Real estate
Bon état – good condition
Bricolage – DIY
Cadastre – Land Registry
Canalisation – pipes / pipework
Certificat d’Urbanisme – Certificate issued by local authority stating planning
and building status for specified property
Certificat de Conformitié - issued by local authority stating to confirm building
works is in accordance with the terms of the ‘permit de construire’ or construction
permit
Compromise de Vente - provisional sales agreement
Designation – description
Double vitrage – double glazing
Droit de passage - right of way
Droit de Prescription – right to buy in preference to other
Enregistrement – recording
Fosse septique – sceptic tank (self maintaining sewage system)
Gaz de ville – mains gas
Habitable – living space
Jouissance – possession
Mansardé – attic room with angled ceiling
Maisons mitoyennes – adjoining houses
Néant – nothing
Notaire – government appointed solicitor with the exclusive authority to
deal with conveyancing and collection of issued taxes
Pièce – room
Plain-pied – built at street level
Plan cadastral – registered plan
Plomb – lead
Potager – vegetable garden
Prélèvement – debit
Prolongue – to extend
Puits – well
Réaménagement – restructuring
Reduit – reduced
Relevé – statement
Sous – under
Sous-sol – basement
Volet - shutter