The Côte d’Azur, with its picturesque landscapes, sunny beaches, and luxurious lifestyle, attracts numerous property buyers every year. Investing in new real estate on the Côte d’Azur comes with many advantages, including the ten-year guarantee, a crucial protection for buyers. But what does this ten-year guarantee mean in the context of new construction in France?
The Benefits of Buying New Property on the Côte d’Azur
Quality and Modernity: New properties are built according to the latest standards in construction, safety, and energy performance. They offer modern amenities, optimized layouts, and better thermal and acoustic insulation.
Customization: When purchasing a new property, future owners often have the opportunity to customize certain aspects of their home, such as materials, finishes, and sometimes even the layout of the rooms.
Reduced Notary Fees: Notary fees for a new property purchase are generally lower than for an old property, representing about 2 to 3% of the sale price, compared to 7 to 8% for older properties.
Exemption from Property Tax: In some municipalities, new constructions benefit from a temporary exemption from property tax for the first two years following the completion of the work.
The Ten-Year Guarantee: Protection for Buyers
The ten-year guarantee is a legal obligation in France, enshrined in the Civil Code, which protects buyers of new properties against defects and hidden faults that could affect the building’s solidity or make it unsuitable for its intended purpose. Here’s what you need to know about this valuable guarantee:
Duration of the Guarantee: As its name suggests, the ten-year guarantee covers a period of ten years from the acceptance of the work. During this period, the builder is responsible for any damage affecting the building’s solidity or making it uninhabitable.
Types of Damages Covered: The ten-year guarantee covers serious damages, such as significant cracks in the walls, waterproofing issues, ground subsidence, structural defects, or any other problem compromising the building’s solidity and safety. Additionally, the first year offers a full guarantee on all aspects of the property, ensuring everything is in perfect working condition. For the first two years, the guarantee also covers all moving parts and equipment within the home.
Implementation Procedure: If damage is found that falls under the ten-year guarantee, the buyer must notify the builder by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt. The builder then has a set period to carry out the necessary repairs.
Damage Insurance: To facilitate and speed up repairs, buyers are advised to take out damage insurance. This insurance allows pre-financing of repair work without waiting for a court to rule on liability.
RT 2012: Ensuring Energy Efficiency
In addition to the ten-year guarantee, new constructions on the Côte d’Azur must comply with the RT 2012 (Réglementation Thermique 2012) standards, ensuring energy efficiency and sustainability. RT 2012 aims to reduce the energy consumption of new buildings and improve their overall environmental performance.
Energy Consumption: RT 2012 limits the primary energy consumption of new buildings to a maximum of 50 kWh per square meter per year. This includes heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, and hot water production.
Thermal Insulation: Buildings must have high-quality insulation to minimize heat loss in winter and keep interiors cool in summer, contributing to lower energy bills and a more comfortable living environment.
Air Tightness: New constructions must be airtight to prevent heat loss and drafts, ensuring that the building remains energy-efficient.
Renewable Energy: RT 2012 encourages the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and heat pumps, to meet a portion of the building’s energy needs.
Conclusion
Buying new property on the Côte d’Azur is not only an exceptional lifestyle choice but also a secure investment thanks to the ten-year guarantee. This legal protection provides buyers with peace of mind by ensuring the coverage of any construction defects for a decade. Thus, they can fully enjoy their new living environment without major concerns about the quality and durability of their property.
By choosing to settle on the Côte d’Azur, buyers benefit not only from an idyllic environment but also from the advantages of buying new property and the ten-year guarantee, making this investment a wise and lasting decision.
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