Buying in France? Know before you sign.
How it works
- 1
Free check
Choose the type of property, then enter its address. You get a plain-English report on the local zoning and natural risks, on screen and by email.
- 2
Detailed review
Want a more detailed assessment before you buy? A specialist checks the cadastral plan, risk plans, sun, prices, annual property costs and more.
- 3
Personal answers
With the Complete review, I contact the mairie and answer your own questions — pool, garage, extension — in your language.
Meet your specialist
Hi, I'm Kim Dekker. I've lived in France since 2000 and work as an independent commercial agent in real estate, specialising in second homes and rental properties. I speak French, English and Dutch, so I can talk to the local authorities in French and explain everything to you in your own language. Over the years I've seen many foreign buyers get lost in French planning rules, risk plans and paperwork. That's why I created Claritat: to explain it in plain language, and to check your address personally when you want a more detailed assessment.
- Français
- English
- Nederlands
Pricing
Start free. Get a detailed assessment when you need it.
Pick your type of property to see exactly what each package covers.
Most thoroughComplete review
| What's included | Free€0Always free | Essential€199one-time | Complete€349one-time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Address check: PLU zone and risks (AI report) | |||
| Purchase cost calculator | |||
| General DPE explanation | |||
| Detailed cadastral plan and zoning | |||
| Géorisques report and PPRN (natural risk plan) review | |||
| Sun study across 4 seasons (house, terrace, garden) | |||
| Price check with comparable sold properties (DVF) | |||
| Estimated annual property costs (taxe foncière and, where applicable, taxe d'habitation on second homes) | |||
| Internet and mobile coverage (fibre, 4G/5G) | |||
| Pre-emption right check (droit de préemption) | |||
| Written summary with my findings and advice on next steps | |||
| Diagnostics analysis (DPE, energy audit when required, asbestos, lead, electricity, termites) | |||
| Personal contact with the mairie and communauté de communes | |||
| Your personal questions (pool, garage, extension) answered and included in the report | |||
| Sanitation check (mains sewer or septic tank, compliance, cost estimate) | |||
| Feedback in your own language (English, Dutch or French) |
Your review is done personally by Kim Dekker.
Your review is done personally by Kim Dekker.
You get one point of contact who speaks your language and knows how the French system works.
Answers from the mairie (town hall) are informational and not legally binding. Essential and Complete: within 10 working days after payment. Copro check: within 5 working days after payment and receipt of your documents. Payment is made through Stripe Checkout on this site. Work starts after payment.
Copro check for apartments, €79
Buying an apartment means joining a copropriété, the owners' association that manages the building. Upload the documents and I'll tell you in plain English what to watch out for before you sign.
What to upload (PDF, max 50 MB in total):
- The written reports of the last 3 general assembly meetings (in French: procès-verbaux d'assemblée générale)
- The budget or the latest charges statement
- The works fund (fonds de travaux) information
Don't have them? Ask the seller, the estate agent or the French notaire (who authenticates the final transfer). They are required to provide them.
What you get: a short written analysis from Kim Dekker with points of attention, such as planned or disputed works, unpaid charges, high costs or rules that limit what you can do with the apartment.
Copro check: within 5 working days after payment and receipt of your documents. Your files are stored securely and deleted automatically after 30 days. The documents may contain personal data of other owners; by uploading you confirm you may share them with me for this review. This analysis is informational and not legal advice.
Free tools and guides
Always free, no account needed.
French words you'll meet
- PLU
- The local urban plan: the town's rulebook for what can be built where.
- PPRN
- A natural risk prevention plan that can limit or forbid building in risky areas.
- DPE
- The official energy label of a home, from A (very efficient) to G (very poor).
- Copropriété
- A building shared by several owners, who together own and pay for the shared parts.
- Syndic
- The manager of a copropriété, who runs the building and collects the charges.
- Mairie
- The town hall, which grants building permissions and holds the local rules.
- Notaire
- A public official who handles every property sale in France and checks the legal paperwork.