Dick says:You would enjoy the commentary of the lawyer who is helping me find the correct kind of lawyer to deal with the landlord (essentially a real estate lawyer who also represents the interests of the government). After I emailed her the documents sent by the landlord's real estate guy she asked, "But where is the contract about the deposit?" That's the biggest issue at the moment, and when I told her that the real estate guy, told me that it was up to us to guarantee the rent at our French bank, she said, "Oh, that is absolutely abnormal!" and said it with a combination of surprise and disdain that only the French can express. Anyhow, more back and forth is on tap for tomorrow. And this is just to rent an unfurnished apartment. I can't imagine what a real estate purchase is like! The asbestos escrow (which is required or at least some kind of certification and bond), the lead requirement, the title searching, and then the posting of the deal so the "commune" and/or the current tenant has a chance to wedge their way in and purchase the property out from under you just when things appear to be wrapping up. On the other hand, it keeps a lot of people employed and, considering the sorry state of our country, that's probably not such a bad thing.