We're in the process of buying a house in France. 5 weeks after we signed the compromis de vente, the owner died. The notaire said he must complete the 'succession' before completing the sale.

The completion date set in the compromis was due to be next week. Last Friday the notaire announced that he couldn't complete the sale yet and didn't know when he could. However, with the permission of the heirs he proposed that we should put all monies on his account and move in, and he would complete sale later.

The house needs immediate, extensive work to live in it. (electrics, plumbing, drainage, windows, roof repairs, building work) and we'd intended to start work straight away.

So far I've had mixed advice. Some say 'why not' if the notaire is proposing this, others shout NO!

For me the risks seem to be that:

- something might come up in succession that could block or delay the sale for a long time even forever!

- the heirs may decide not to sell the house

My fear is that if I make improvements, the heirs could simply take the house back. Yes, they might be liable for a 20% penalty, but I don't fancy the legal legwork and timescale to try to recover this!. And as for the work I may have completed, they could simply say leave it as is or put back to how it was (at my cost again).

As far as I can tell, the heirs could throw us out at any time before the transaction is completed.

I'm happy to wait a reasonable amount if time for the sale to complete properly. I've been told that French succession laws limit the time for the succession to take place to 6 months from the date of death. Is this correct?

There doesn't seem to be a clause in the Compromis that covers our case, but it cannot be unique. What are our rights under the law. As the heirs and notaire are unable to complete as stated in the contract, do I have a right to cancel the compromis without penalty?

My costs are rising. We're going to have storage and rental costs that weren't planned. I not suggesting asking for compensation and in the short term its not an issue, in the longer term it is, as we are spending our wealth that we hadn't planned to spend.

Can anybody provide any advice?

Many thanks.

How unlucky !
Do you have a fall back strategy, eg an other property in view ?
I would trust the notaire even if he is very much interested by a sale.
Ask him if the compromis is still valid and if you can get out of it.
Indeed it is the crucial question.
Ask him if it is a straight forward succession; in any doubt you are gambling on the future
Best of luck

Yes I agree very unfortunate,always an extremely difficult time for family members when a bereavement takes place.

As I understand it

If the property's seller dies prior to signing, the purchaser can obtain the signature from the seller's heirs. The heirs are bound by law to comply with the undertakings of the deceased, and in case of refusal action may be brought against them to enjoin them to perform the sale.

I would suggest you take independent legal advice from an English speaking solicitor specialist in French property law or from an independent notaire.

A "compromis de vente" signed by the 2 parties is a real contract. In your case, the fact that the owned died before completing the sale is none of your business - I'm sorry to be so rude - but the contract needs to be fullfilled and signed by the heirs in DUE TIME. Unless it si found difficult to trace one heir - sometimes it does happen - there is no reason why everything should not be completed on time, all questions linked to the unfortunate death of the owner has nothing to do with you, and the sale should not be postponed, unless stated above.
You don't have to give ANY money to the notaire, heirs can wait, the only time you have to do it is when the deed is executed and the sale is done. Don't let these people tell you otherwise, they are wrong. And certainly don't make any improvements to a house which is not yours yet. If everything comes to the worse, and this is probably not what you want, the money paid for the compromis will be given back to you, end of the exercise.
Hope this helps,
N.

The way I read your post it seems as though you are using the same notaire as the seller. If this is the case get your own one immediately. Notaires are supposed to be neutral and in theory you can use the same one. However, in my experience I have found that they will always act in the best interest of the seller (if he was the first one to appoint the notaire). It will not cost you any more and you will have someone on "your side".

Well well well.
Conveyancing procedure is complicated, but the law is very simple:During the compromis period (Conveyancing), if the buyer dies, then the heirs can decide to purchase or not, no costs involved if they pull out.
However, and that is your case, it is the vendor who died.
Yes, the sale has to go through, if it is a "full & valid" sale (See below)Yes, the notary has to organize the succession firstYes, it will take time.

But (The devil is in the detail), if all "suspensive conditions" have been passed (DIA, searches, your mortgage fully accepted if there is one), than the sale is considered as valid. If not... it is not yet a valid sale.
Yes, good idea to have your own notary. if you want to contact me, I can put you in otuch with one who would tell you what would be the likely issue. And if you see fit, you can hire him then.
Good luck