Investors 'must be aware of changing French laws'

French officials are failing to advise property investors about the introduction of new risk plans that could affect those looking to make purchases in the country.

Plan de Prevention des Risques - regional and local risk plans - are being prepared across the country but many investors are not being made aware of the potential changes, Property Wire has claimed.

The news source states that the rulings have already had a "catastrophic effect" for one couple, who have had to demolish a property they had begun building in northern France - despite having planning permission - after it emerged that the area is at risk of flooding.

"It is quite clear that anyone buying building plots in France should make sure they have a copy of the risk plan for the area," a spokeswoman for the Chambres des Notaires de Paris told Property Wire.

Foreign currency exchange firm RationalFX recently stated that the current drop in UK interest rates has made purchasing property in France more costly than it was at the start of 2008.