French car checks, new scams app: 5 practical articles from the week

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS ROUND-UP OF SOME RECENT ARTICLES ON NAVIGATING LIFE IN FRANCE Every week, _The Connexion _publishes a number of practical articles to help those living in France or those

who own property here. But with the amount of news, they can be easy to miss, which is why we are starting a weekly round-up of practical stories every Sunday. Here is this week’s wrap: 1.

CHANGES TO FRANCE’S VEHICLE SAFETY CHECKS Two changes to France’s _contrôle technique _tests – which assess if cars are safe to drive on the roads – have been added. They relate to

installations on newer car models. Although they will not make tests much longer to undertake, the extra checks may marginally increase the price of the test. READ MORE:FRANCE’S VEHICLE

SAFETY CHECKS ARE CHANGING. HERE IS HOW 2. NEW SMARTPHONE APP HELPS YOU REPORT SCAMS EASIER People in France can now report scams and fraud via a new smartphone app. It is an extension of

the existing Signal Conso government reporting website, which has been used by more than a quarter of a million consumers in the last three years. READ MORE:THERE IS NOW A NEW WAY OF

REPORTING SCAMS AND FRAUD IN FRANCE 3. WHAT TO DO ABOUT CHANGING GAS CONTRACTS IN FRANCE Regulated gas tariffs are ending in France on June 30, when all customers will have to switch to a

commercial tariff. Our article provides tips on how to make the switch, and where to find further information about the new contracts. READ MORE:TIPS AND HELP ON NAVIGATING THE CHANGES

COMING TO FRANCE’S GAS MARKET 4. INHERITANCE LAW CHANGES ON THE BACK BURNER AS TAX CUTS FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS TAKE PRIORITY Despite being a pledge of Macron’s 2022 election campaign, changes

to inheritance law have taken a backseat in comparison to other tax cuts that will principally affect the middle class in France. Some of the changes – such as to indirect inheritance – may

however still be implemented if the state can find the resources to do so. READ MORE:TAX RISE DISMAY, INHERITANCE CHANGE: 5 FRENCH PROPERTY UPDATES 5. CHALLENGES TO POOL BAN IN SOUTHERN

FRANCE BEGIN The Pyrénées-Orientales department in France banned the sale of swimming pools two weeks ago to prevent people from being ‘tempted’ to break drought restrictions and fill pools.

Swimming pool manufacturers say the ban stigmatises them and have started a fightback in court. READ MORE:LEGAL BID TO OVERTURN BAN ON ABOVE-GROUND POOLS IN SOUTHERN FRANCE