Paving the Way to Nice

This purchase of an apartment in Nice has been an eye-opening and broadening experience, learning the kinds of things that will ultimately make it easier for our clients, now that I’ve ‘paved the way.’ In fact, it’s one reason I stuck with the venture, even though there were a few tough hurdles in dealing with an unknown entity such as the Niçois culture and physical distance that would have sent others running for the hills. These ‘hurdles’ were indications that someone needed to forge a path for foreign clients who don’t have experience dealing with a slightly less than straightforward business environment or location with fewer resources than Paris.

My apartment and the adjacent one were purchased from the same marchand de bien — a property agent or developer. He sold my apartment “unrenovated/as-is,” but the adjacent one as “renovated.” He is required by law to take an insurance policy to protect him from liability of defects in the construction of the property for up to 10 years. As a result, the problems we discovered when mine went under renovation can not be claimed against him, however those we are now discovering in the adjacent apartment can. This of course, will take a prudent strategy to make the claims, ask for repair or compensation and if he doesn’t respond, take legal action.

The problems we have discovered include a faulty ceiling, plumbing issues, electrical issues and other finishing repairs he has failed to provide. A recent letter from the Syndic of the building (property manager) clearly outlined all the ‘verbal’ promises he had made to them during the construction process (to repaint the hallway, repair broken parts in the stairwell resulting from construction, etc.) that have yet to be fulfilled, but fortunately, we do not legally inherit those. We’re hoping he will live up to his responsibilities and that legal action will not be necessary. Our job now is to show the Copropriété (homeowner’s association) that we are responsible owners who respect our property and those of our neighbors’ and are willing to do what is necessary to raise the standard.

Next week we’ll have the chance to do that as Sunday I am training down to Nice with Mosaïste Véronique Husson and meeting with one of the owners of the adjacent apartment. I will spend the week there completing the work on my apartment and prepare it for rental as of February 1st. In preparation for the finishing work, I made yet more trips to Ikea and Leroy Merlin to collect a few things: the missing glass shelves of the kitchen cabinets, additional window coverings, light fixtures and other items. Because there is no Ikea in Nice and Leroy Merlin is located far from the center in a suburb, it was simpler to shop here and take it all to Nice by train. Fortunately, there are no strict size or weight limitations of your baggage on the train…or at least I thought it would be a good idea.

Packing the glass shelves, the glass lamp and other items, was a puzzle in itself, all into one large suitcase. I worried about the fragility and realized more space was needed for the few additional items to come…so packed one bag inside another larger one. Now, the suitcase I had imagined taking on the train has turned into one over-sized bag that weighs as much as Sumo wrestler. No way can I manage this ‘monster’ by myself, or even with the help of a friend! That’s when I had a sleepless night considering the options.

The names of various shippers were given to me, but time was of the essence. That’s when I discovered a service that SNCF offers I am sure we will use time and time again. It’s called “Luggage: take as much as you’d like! Baggage service at your door.”

SNCF will provide door-to-door service of your suitcase, skis, wheelchairs, bikes, etc…that you can book within 24 hours and which can be delivered within 24 hours anywhere in France, Germany, Switzerland or Luxembourg for as little as 33€ per bag. It was as easy as making the reservation online and choosing pick-up and delivery times. Now I have complete peace of mind (not to mention a healthy back from not having to maneuver it!). Visit SNCF Take As Much As You Like for more information.

France Telecom is scheduled to come Monday to install the fixed phone lines and Orange (a communication system offered by France Telecom) is sending a technician to install the satellite TV for two TV’s with English-language channels, hi-speed Internet with WiFi and VoIP phone free to dozens of countries and cell phones. The service costs about 45€ per month and I opted for Orange in lieu of other services because of their ability to install independent usage of satellite TV on two sets.

Meanwhile, a revolution in technology is happening here in France. Free.fr, which has long offered the same service as France Telecom/Orange for less, has reinvented the mobile phone with “Free Mobile”…free unlimited calls to France and 40 other countries, including the US, unlimited texting, unlimited Internet and data over the mobile networks for 19.99€ a month (15.99€ a month for current subscribers)! For 2€ per month, you can get 60 minutes of calls and 60 SMS messages, plus 5 cents per minute above the call. Current Free subscribers (Internet or TV) pay absolutely nothing for 60 minutes of calls and 60 SMS messages!

Subscribers to Free.fr also have the advantage of its over five million set-top boxes that provide a free Wi-Fi cloud enveloping major cities such as Paris and Nice…so even when away from home, you can easily get broadband instead of resorting to an expensive 3G network. It’s something I take advantage of often! For more information, visit Mobile Free. fr.

These are all services that make a second home and rental property in  Nice even easier! Little by little we are paving the way! We hope you will join us on this adventure on the Riviera! 

A bientôt,

Adrian Leeds
Editor, French Property Insider

(at Carnaval de Nice 2011)

Email: [email protected]

 P.S. Hopefully by the end of the week, “Le Matisse” will be ready for photo-taking and your next vacation stay. We are also currently working on the Parler Nice Apartments Web site so that you can easily book your stays in both Paris and Nice through our own resources. Meanwhile, for more information and to reserve your stay (don’t forget the Carnaval de Nice is February 17 – March 4, 2012 [Carnaval de Nice]!), visit Rent Le Matisse