The Cost of Property Ownership and Occupation
Taxe d'habitation
This tax is paid by everybody, whether owner or tenant; it is roughly equivalent to the council tax in the UK. The amount is based on the size and value of the property.
Taxe Foncier
This is a tax paid by the owner of the property, and is again based on the size and value.
Ordures Ménageres
This is a local tax levied by the commune for the collection of household waste from the property
Other Charges
Obviously there are electricity and telephone bills, which arrive every 2 months. Monthly payment options are available. Piped gas (Gaz de Ville) is only available in larger towns and is billed with electricity, otherwise gas is bought in bottles.
All water is metered and the cost reflects the cost of supply and waste disposal. Many rural properties still have septic tanks, although local sewage systems are becoming more common.