If you own a property or are considering becoming an owner, you will very likely need to consult the cadastral (land registry) documentation. What information can be found there? How can it be consulted or amended if it is incorrect? We provide the answers.
Commonly referred to as the “cadastre,” cadastral documentation consists of records that list and identify real estate (buildings, houses, land, etc.) located in France.
This information forms the basis for calculating local taxes that you are required to pay, including property tax.
The documentation mainly consists of the cadastral map and the cadastral register.
These documents have a tax-related purpose rather than a legal one: the cadastral map does not constitute proof of ownership and does not establish property boundaries.
What information can be found?
The cadastral map
The cadastral map is a graphical representation of a municipality, showing its real estate holdings as well as the footprint of buildings.
It may also display certain details that make it easier to understand, such as main roads, watercourses, ditches, and similar features.
The cadastral register
While the cadastral map is a graphical document, the cadastral register is a written one. It consists of property records indicating the identity of the owner or owners of each parcel of land or built property shown on the cadastral map.
How can cadastral documentation be consulted?
The cadastral map
The cadastral map is freely accessible to everyone, whether or not they own property.
You can access it via the official cadastral portal: cadastre.gouv.fr.
Searches can be carried out by entering the address or the cadastral reference of the desired parcel. The service also allows you to order map extracts for French municipalities.
You can also consult the cadastral map at the town hall or by submitting a written request to the municipality or to the property tax office responsible for the parcel in question.
The cadastral register
You may request an extract from the cadastral register—for example, to find out the owner of a plot of land—by completing form 6815-EM-SD and sending it to the property tax office to which the parcel is attached.
Using the online tool “Demande de valeurs foncières,” you can free of charge track trends in property prices and assess the value of a property in France by consulting data from the past five years.
How can the cadastre be amended?
You may request an amendment to a cadastral parcel by completing form 6463-N-SD, which must be sent to the land registration authority (service de publicité foncière) competent for the parcel.
The amendment may be requested, among other reasons, to correct property boundaries shown in the cadastre or following changes to property boundaries (division or consolidation of a parcel).
For your request to be processed by the cadastral authority—unless your situation falls under one of the stated exceptions—it must be accompanied by a surveying document establishing the land area, prepared by a licensed surveyor. The cost of this professional’s work must be borne by you.
Legal value of the cadastral map
The cadastral map is an administrative document used to record and identify properties for the purpose of determining the basis of local taxes. As its purpose is primarily tax-related, it is not intended to guarantee ownership rights. Nor does it establish property boundaries.
To determine the boundaries of a parcel of land, an official survey (boundary demarcation) must be carried out by a licensed surveyor.
Obtaining a copy of a third party’s title deed
You may obtain a copy of any deed subject to registration, even if you are not a party to the deed.
The request must be submitted to the Service de la publicité foncière (formerly the mortgage registry) where the deed was recorded.
Med venlig hilsen / Kind regards
Cabinet Nicolas BRAHIN
Advokatfirma i NICE, Lawyers in NICE
Camilla Nissen MICHELIS
Assistante – Traductrice
1, Rue Louis Gassin – 06300 NICE (FRANCE)
Tel : +33 493 830 876 / Fax : +33 493 181 437
Camilla.nissen.michelis@brahin-avocats.com www.brahin-avocats.com
