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Dordogne Local Reference INFOrmation
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INFOrmation

Real-Estate Jargon

When reading the property classifieds looking for a house or apartment to buy or to rent, some terms may be unfamiliar - here are translations of the key French real estate words and phrases, in English.

When reading the property-related classified advertisements in French newspapers and magazines, it can help to know some of the key jargon terms.

Commonly-seen words and phrases:
French  English explanation
2, 3, 4 pièces 2, 3 or 4 rooms (plus kitchen and bathroom)
maison 4 pièces 4 roomed house plus kitchen and bathroom
T1, T2, F1, F2 etc. Technically, an apartment (T) or house (F) with the specified number of rooms (pièces), although you can find T being used for houses and F for apartments too.
  • Example: F2 (appartement deux-pièces) = one-bedroom apartment
  • Example: T2 (appartement deux-pièces) = one-bedroom apartment
à rafraichir to be redone / needs decorating
ancien (anc.) old building (built more than 20 years ago) 
année de la construction year built
arrondissement (arr) district/borough
ascenseur (asc) lift
assurance habitation home insurance
balcon (blc) balcony
buanderie utility room/laundry room
belles prestations attractive/quality fittings/fixtures
branchement lave-linge washing machine outlet
cabanon shed / stone building with a roof on it (local usage)
calme quiet
caution damage deposit (rental property)
cave cellar
cellier storeroom/still room
+ charges rental price excludes building charges / outgoings
chambre (ch, chbr) bedroom
charges comprises (cc) including building charges / outgoings
charges locatives service and maintenance fees for collective amenities
chauffage collectif (shared) heating included in building charges
chauffage au gaz gas heating
chauffage au mazout oil heating
cheminée fireplace
concierge/gardien  superintendent/caretaker
copropriété shared property (apartments)
coin cuisine breakfast nook / kitchenette
cuisine (cuis) kitchen
cuisine americaine open-plan kitchen
cuisine équipée equipped kitchen
cuisine aménagée fitted kitchen
de plain pied single storey/bungalow
dépendances outbuildings
dépot de garantie rental deposit
digicode security door (lock) keypad / keycode
dossier de candidature rental application form
douche (dche) shower
en 3 niveaux 3 storey
en bon état in good condition/repair
entrée (ent) entry
étage (et.) floor
état des lieux condition of property report completed on moving in and referred to on leaving
exclusivité available with this agent only / sole agency
exposé sud south facing
frais d'agence inclus (FAI) inclusive of agency fees
frais de Notaire notary's  fees
garage (gge)/box  garage
gardien (gard)  caretaker
Genoise(s) the layer of roof tiles as seen from the edge. The more layers the better
hauteur sous plafond (HSP) ceiling height
honoraires d'agence agency fees
immeuble (imm) building or residence
immobilier  real estate
jardin (jard.) garden
jumelé semi-detached
largeur (larg.) width
logement meublé furnished rental or property
logement vide unfurnished rental or property
longère agglomeration of buildings in a line, normally only 6 metres deep (typical to Brittany)
loyer rent
maison d'amis separate guest house 
mazet (or maset) separate cottage (usually the original on the land)
meublé/équipé furnished
neuf all-new construction
nombre de pieces total number of rooms including reception and bedrooms
nombreux (nbx) many
parking parking place included
penderies wardrobe, hanging closet
pièce (p) room
pierre de taille (pdt) stone building (dressed stone)
placards built-in cupboards/wall cupboards
porte (pte ) door
préavis notice period (period to give notice of intent to vacate premises)
prix (px ) price
quartier (quart) district/neighbourhood
rangements built-in cupboards / storage spaces
récent built in the last decade
résidence (rés)  building
restanques  terraced land usually with drystone walls
rez de chaussée (RDC/rdc) ground floor
salle de bain (sdb) bathroom
salle de bains (baignoire) bathroom with bath
salle de douche shower
salle d'eau (s.d'eau) washroom with shower
salle à manger (sàm) dining room
salle de séjour (séj ss) living room
sans vis-a-vis not overlooked
séjour (séj) lounge/sitting room
séparé (sép.) separated
sous-sol (s.sol, s/s) basement 
sous terrain (s/terrain) below ground level
standing (std) quality / luxury building
sur terrain de... property size (literally, "on a plot of...")
surface habitable (SH) total living space (a legal term defining habitable space, which excludes floor areas where the ceiling is below a certain height)
terrasse terrace, paved exterior area, large balcony
très bon état (TBE) in good repair
tout confort (tt cft.) well equipped
vue imprenable superb view / unobstructed view
WC séparées separate toilet

Related reference INFOrmation on AngloINFO Dordogne:

· Buying a House or Property in France

· Diagnostic Survey Reports when Selling Property in France

· Foreign Exchange & Property Purchase in France

· French Capital Gains Tax on Property, Shares & Goods

· French Leasebacks: Buying Off-Plan

· French Property Capital Gains Tax FAQ

· French Property Taxes

· Mortgages in France: The Price and Procedure

· Moving House in France

· Property Purchase Transaction in France

· Renting a House or Apartment in France

· SCI and Property Purchase

· Selling Property in France

· Syndics and Coproprietaires

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Selected Local Businesses
Credit Agricole Charente-Perigord
Credit Agricole Charente-Perigord has an English speaking bank and insurance division. We are the leading bank in the region with over 14000 English speaking clients and 80 local branches. Call our team of bilingual dvisors on +33 (0)5 45 20 49 60. Find out more...
MB 24 Building & Renovation Services
Professional service in the Dordogne. New Build/Conversions/Older Buildings: All Services. English, highly experienced and qualified registered Artisans. Quotes/Invoices in English. Communication with client at all times. Find out more...
Les Maisons Aura
New build houses in the Dordogne and surrounding departments. From € 71 000 for a three bedroom, ready to decorate property. Also, plots for sale. Other levels of finish include key-in-hand or simply the shell. Ask for Daniel Whittaker in Montpon. Find out more...
Sud-Ouest Piscines - South West Pools
In business for 33 years, we offer Magiline pools and a range of pool accessories (alarms, covers, cleaning equipment, shading). All our work carries a 10 year guarantee. Shops in Marmande, Bergerac & Perigueux. Contact Sophie who speaks English. Find out more...
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