@SuzyB,
You certainly have my sympathy, which doesn't really help. But this might:

Knowing that there are 'avocats' and avocats, I would question his reasoning for not advising a sale by auction. It should be noted that there are vente notariale or vente judiciaire which I understand have different conditions, the latter requiring an avocate, whilst with the former it's optional. I guess in your situation it would be classed as a vente notariale. I'll leave it for you to decide if your avocat had an ulterior motive for his suggested advise.
An interesting link follows, (I suggest after the initial query you go straight to the 11th and 15th posting) - don't the French just love altercation, unfortunately just like your neighbours........
vente aux enchéres | Immobilier
Vente aux enchères de biens immobiliers à Paris
Your avocat may have advised that property auctions are not as popular as in England, but that's not to say they are unpopular in France; quite the opposite is true as many property buyers here recognise the significant monetary advantages of auctions. Yes, you will take a monetary hit, but isn't that the potential risk with all investments? And you did say it was an investment property. I think that if you go for the auction option, the most difficult decision may be on deciding on a realistic reserve price - the auction house can help in this and other issues.
Property auction tips.
I also agree with Intours, at a realistically low price, it will attract attention - and sell.
Bonne chance!

Thanks TP for all the info + advice! it's my partner I have to convince and push to act. He's typically French, contemplate ............ + little action. I have had to push so hard all these years to get action + results. To be fair too, his job is demanding and he has little time. Still, we have to find a way out.
Will read the info, I'm not fluent but will get the gist + use Google to help translate.
It's so good to be getting some input!!! merci bcp

Maybe rethink the partner situation???? If he is not onboard with you.

I think after what, 8 years? I'd be re-thinking the France issue too. Life's too short.

I am questioning partner + France, both factors for this long battle! as I feel stressed + detached it's hard to make any décisions.
:zzz

Suzie - Almost one year on have you made any progress??

Hello TextualHealing


I just typed a long reply + system logged me out! will redo later. A lot has happened in a year.

I look forward to reading your update. I do hope it's a happy ending.

Hello Tweedpipe


Yes, finally the hope of a happy ending

Hi SuzieB,
My God you have been through the mill with this. I'm looking forward to reading your update and I hope it really does have a happy ending.
Mike.

Jeez - what a nightmare; I think I'd have lost it a few days in and would have resorted to "sterner measures"!

Good luck Suzie; looks like you need some.

Hello all


I can't believe a year has gone by, feels like I've aged at least 10!
At the end of 2014 the tenants stated they were no longer interested in buying and were turning to us to resolve all the problems. We asked the letting agency for possible help. They offered the tenants several flats free of agency charges, tenants declined all. Also they declined offers of army accommodation. The tenants asked for 1-2 rent free months, we declined as we were doing the maximum to find a solution for all the problems.
In June the tenants notified us they had arranged a telephone mediation. My partner reiterated his offer of accepting 1 month's notice instead of 3. No comments were offered by the tenants or mediator. September we received an invite from the TI, tenants claiming €3500 compensation, against us + agency.
We went to court 3x between Oct 15 to Feb 16. The last + final appearance the tenants lied in court! Yesterday we received the decision, we have to pay €165 hehehe. This is a net of monies they owe and amounts we are charged with. This doesn't take into account €400 owed by the tenants, we have 6 months to provide justification of our calculations. The court charged us €800 for not ensuring the peace of the rental property! How are we supposed to do when the mayor, gendarmes, procurer and avocat have done nothing!!!
If they don't appeal we have come out of it ok. They left giving only 1 month's notice stating she receives RSA benefit which gives them the right to give only 1 month's notice. I will probably check this right!!! The court penalised them as they hadn't given us proof of this. Exactly why I sent the court their letter
The garden process was lost by our avocat. Justice decided there was no proof of the owner of the garden, even though our 'acte de vente' clearly states it. Also no surface détails etc. I only met the avocat in September, previously my partner had dealt with him. He was lazy, incompetent, possibly going senile or maybe close to retirement so couldn't be bothered. We dismissed him in November.
We finally got the ok from the legal insurance last May? I emailed the CEO and got immediate action. The avocat stated in June/July yes we could go to court. We left for holidays in August relieved only to come back to be told, no we can't go to court. This was for the dishonest coproprieté syndic. In September we went to see the avocat, 3+ hr journey, he sent a letter finally in October. The letter was not properly addressed so the syndic didn't accept. The avocat was supposed to resend but never did.
We wasted so much time and money with this avocat, practically doing his job!
The good news!!! the tenants moved out in December, so we advertised with 2 agencies to sell. Lots of visits but the usual comments, lovely flat but neighbours patio a mess etc etc. A few weeks ago my partner received a call from nutty woman above, she lives in the attic flat. She has 2 kids living with her and a 3rd due to descend on her + the husband. She is desperate to buy our flat!! and with prices low it's interesting.
The process is moving fast, we hope to sign mid May? The added bonus is she is aware of all the problems so she would have no recourse. If we sell to any other person we could find ourselves back in court in the future.
She has been buying furniture and sound proof flooring for our flat, all stocked in the hallway. The contract not signed yet, hope for us + her nothing goes wrong! She asked if she could store stuff in our flat, I told my Partner NO NO NO. This woman has caused us lots of problems, changes like the wind.
Hopefully a HAPPY ENDING at last, will keep you all updated. I am thinking of having a leaving party in our empty flat, noisy to piss off the neighbours below. Our friends have a band!

Thanks Mike + Cynic for your support! our tenants tried sterner measures and ended up more frustrated than us! and then jumped on the bandwagon against us. I am someone who doesn't give up easily but this nearly broke me last year. I have been at the same time helping my sister in UK with council housing, 18 months and we have finally got there.
A good holiday needed this year

Suzie, I read back over my old posts to you (2012, 2013 & 2014) and to think it is still going on..... my God!
I sincerely hope the sale goes through and that you can wash your hands of the place and it's occupants!
Are you still in Lyon and when the sale goes through, are you staying on in France?
Best wishes.

Hi Mike


The problems started in 2008, I had 9 months of a normal life here. Yes still in Lyon, well Villeurbanne to be precise.
My heart is not in France, I want to eventually move back to UK or live in another country. My partner is not happy about it but I have made my decision. We just need to plan for the future now! I feel so much brighter this year so realise how it has all poisoned my life. I stopped my voluntary work last year as it was affecting me so much. Now I need to move on, have advertised to give homework support in English and introduction to English for the wee ones. Perhaps I should be studying law???


Hoping + praying sale goes through