We have just moved into our newly renovated barn and want to demolish a small cottage that is next to it. We lived in the cottage during the renovation and is classed as a seperate address to the barn. Do we need any kind of approvals to demolish the cottage?

We don't want to have to pay tax on both properties.

Regards

Chris

Yes you do, if it was previously classed as a residential property.  Start with your Mairie.

You will need to get permission, have a word at your Mairie's office and they will advise on the course to take and paperwork that will need to be completed. That way the tax office will know officially not to tax you for a non-existent property. 

You must get a form from the Mairie to complete,but you should think hard before demolishing.If you have the electric cut off and tell the Mairie and tax office that the cottage is no longer used as habitation you should not receive a tax bill for it.The other point to consider is that if you do eventually sell your property,the cottage "bolt on"value could be upwards of €10000(possible gite)

Sadly the cottage needs about 10,000 spent on it to make it decent and I don't have that kind of money now. It doesn't even have a fosse, it's also blocking out some fantastic views down to the river Charente from my barn. I have a guy who said he'll knock it down and clear the site for 2500 Euro's.

Chris