What is a mandat de vente?
No French estate agent may deal with property transactions in France if he does not hold the prior written authority (mandat) of the person for who he is acting. These documents may look simple but they are full of hidden traps for those not used to them. Each person instructing a French estate agent must receive an original copy. Make certain that your mandat is fully signed and dated. Every mandat must be entered in a register in date order and the registered number must figure on the copy given to the client. Failure to abide by the rules results in no commission for the agent and can lead to a term of imprisonment or a fine and the withdrawal of a carte professionnelle. Read with the greatest care any mandat you are asked to sign. It may be exclusive or non-exclusive and limited in time. Some are for a given period only; some are for an initial period and then run on until cancellation by the client. If they require cancellation, this must be done precisely in accordance with the s
