Do I need a notarised power of attorney?

Not in every case. A signed written instruction is often enough where your standing is already established elsewhere. If your notaire requires a formal power of attorney, we wait until it is drawn up: they set the level of formality, not us.

How do you get the keys if nobody is there?

Usually through the building manager, the caretaker, the managing agent or the notaire’s office. We ask in writing who holds what before the visit, because keys circulate and every handover has to be traceable.

Can you ship belongings outside Europe?

Yes, by insured courier, with the list and the matching photographs. Shipping appears as a separate line on the quote rather than inside a lump sum, so that you can weigh shipping against keeping things locally.

Two windows on an old façade: the louvred shutters on the left are closed, those on the right open onto a dark room.

SITUATION

Owners living abroad

A large share of the property we deal with belongs to people who do not live in France. Travelling here is expensive, takes days, and often shows you nothing a dated photograph has not already shown. Everything about the way we work is built so that your absence blocks nothing.

Instructing us from where you are

A written instruction, signed and returned electronically, is enough to start the work once your standing to give it is established. We tell you exactly which documents your situation calls for, and we start nothing before we have them. It is a constraint on you; it is above all your protection.

What arrives every day

A report at the end of the working day, with time-stamped photographs of what was done. You confirm by return what is kept and what goes. Nothing is removed between two reports without your agreement: the running record is not a presentational nicety, it is how decisions are made.

Personal effects come to you

Papers, photographs, letters, jewellery, ornaments: everything of a personal nature is set aside on the first day, photographed, listed and stored separately. Depending on what suits you, these are held for a relative to collect locally, or shipped by insured courier to your address, in France or abroad.

Three languages, and the time difference

We answer in English, French and Italian, in writing and on the phone. If you are calling from another time zone, just tell us a slot that works: we call at your hour, not ours.

What you will need

Proof of ownership, or a document establishing you as an heir
Proof of identity
A signed written instruction, sent electronically
The address you want personal effects shipped to
A calling slot that works in your time zone

We send you the list that fits your situation after the first exchange. There is no need to gather everything before writing to us.

A completely emptied room in a period flat, a tall glazing-bar window, worn parquet and a broad shaft of light across the floor.

Questions specific to this situation

Do I need a notarised power of attorney?
Not in every case. A signed written instruction is often enough where your standing is already established elsewhere. If your notaire requires a formal power of attorney, we wait until it is drawn up: they set the level of formality, not us.
How do you get the keys if nobody is there?
Usually through the building manager, the caretaker, the managing agent or the notaire’s office. We ask in writing who holds what before the visit, because keys circulate and every handover has to be traceable.
Can you ship belongings outside Europe?
Yes, by insured courier, with the list and the matching photographs. Shipping appears as a separate line on the quote rather than inside a lump sum, so that you can weigh shipping against keeping things locally.

The other situations

Write to us, even if you are not sure.

You do not need to have gathered every document before calling. We will tell you what is missing, and neither the visit nor the quote commits you to anything.

Write to us 04 00 00 00 00

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