Cathar Country Info

GEOFF THE HANDYMAN

With thanks to LFN Digestive

So when safety rules are introduced there’s a temptation to ignore them. After all, that’s what the French do, isn’t it? (I concluded some time ago that all French people fall into one of two categories – those who create rules, and those who ignore them.) But isn’t it right that as the foreigners in this country we should make every effort to comply?

A few old, obvious and serious examples spring to mind, with a couple of new rules that could affect almost anyone. Smoke detectors are required in all holiday homes, though not in private residences and, where applicable, CO detectors are needed as well. (Why this only applies to gîtes is beyond me. It seems the French government is happy to have its own subjects dying in house fires, but not tourists.) Chimneys must be inspected annually and a certificate provided by a registered ramoneur. (It’s probably worth repeating that the kit you can buy that claims to clean the chimney by burning a special log is no substitute for a ramoneur.

The law is very clear on this point. Don’t try to be clever!) Swimming pool safety measures are mandatory, with fines of up to 45,000€ for breaching them. These regulations alone probably prevent hundreds of deaths every year, including up to twenty child drowning incidents.

The Working at Height regulations are old hat in UK, having been around for a few years. Similar rules are now in force over here. Your friendly builder cannot simply put a ladder up and climb on to the roof any more if it’s over 8 metres high. A cherry picker or scaffolding is needed. If the problem is simply a couple of loose tiles needing ten minutes work, the cost of either method is disproportionately high, but that’s the rules. Personally, it makes no difference to me whatsoever. I’m terrified of heights. Just watching someone on a ladder can make me feel queasy. The fact that I can’t rent a ladder more than 8 metres long isn’t exactly a life-changing event.

More road safety than health and safety, soon you’ll need to carry your own breathalyser kit in your car. I can’t quite figure out the logic (what use is it if you’re too drunk to use it?) but you need to get one to go with the light bulb kit, high-viz vest and warning triangle. If you have friends/family driving over to visit you this year, it may be as well to tell them about this. I assume it applies to tourists as well as residents...?

In case you missed the update on L F N’s website, in my article for the January Digestive, I said that invoices issued at 5.5% in 2011 but paid in 2012 would be subject to 7% TVA due to the increase. This was based on advice from my accountant. I later received information stating that invoices issued at 5.5% TVA in 2011 are not subject to the increase. Apologies for any confusion, I simply passed on what appeared to be sound advice. So it would now appear that under no circumstances should you be expected to pay the 1.5% difference, unless somebody changes their mind again...

SARL Handyman France Siret No 500052701500019

Carcassonne area Comprehensive range of

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Geoff the Handyman Tel: 0468 71 88 80 Tel: 0618 87 31 69

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website:http://www.handyman-france.com