Although French I lived and worked in UK and Scandinavia for more than thirty five years in total. Hence I am well aware that many people dream of owning a house in France…“one day”.

There are many reasons: the French way of life, the weather, cost of properties, cost of living (although at present, for UK residents, it might be less attractive), the medical cover, memories of that lovely holiday, international upbringing for children, business opportunities, retirement…

It was not surprising therefore that my wife (who is Scottish) and I decided to move back to France.

And so we bought an old house to be renovated, to which, together with the children, we added a new house. Naturally I believed I was old and wise enough to understand the gist of French laws and building regulations in order to avoid any trouble.

So we chose a local and respectful project company, hence being protected from the “cow boys” of the trade. Alas to no avail! We are now, like thousands of French families, going to court and, the French legal system being what it is, it will take several years before reaching a satisfactory conclusion: four to five is quite usual for an appeal… and I know of cases which are still not settled after ten years!

Fortunately the worst scenario was avoided: purely by luck I had discovered an association called AAMOI*. It really was like a miracle because, without them, we would have been excluded from entering our own house until the case would be settled!!!

*AAMOI: Association d’Aide aux Maîtres d’Ouvrage Individuels, or (French) Association for Helping Individual Home Owners: FAHIHO.

AAMOI is well recognized in France, and formally registered, as a non-profit organization for defending consumers.

In November last year I was asked to become its president. Naturally I immediately thought of our many British friends – and from other countries too, Holland in particular – who might not be as bilingual as me and/or who might not know much about French contract laws and building regulations.

That is why, less than six months after taking up my position, I decided our association should offer advice and help to residents from other countries without further delay.

Our French website is very comprehensive, but in French. To translate it all into English would be a mammoth task, especially as the association, for the time being, functions only with volunteers.

We have however added a résumé in English, which ought to be very useful. Moreover, we now have an International correspondent based in London who will be very pleased to forward your inquiries.

AAMOI members will welcome you with open arms: with over 5000 members we are like a big family.

If you are considering building a house in France, then, for a modest annual membership fee, I would recommend you join AAMOI, before signing any contract so that you can receive appropriate advice before hand… hence avoiding the many pitfalls many of us fell into.

Bienvenue à l’AAMOI, bienvenue en France!

Jean BERNARDI

Président