When buying a property, the purchaser must pay a certain amount of money to the notaire, which is commonly (but inaccurately!) referred to as “notaire fees” (“frais de notaire”). In fact, these sums cover:
- The stamp duties to be paid to the French Inland Revenue, the local authorities (for approximately 80 % of the fees). These sums are collected by the notaire and subsequently paid by him on behalf of his client. They vary according to nature of the property.
- The notaire’s fees (wich totalize less than 10 % of these costs).
- Miscellaneous expenses (“débours”) to be paid by the notaire on behalf of his clients to collect various documents and/or pay the different professionals of authorities which deliver them.