My friend and I own a holiday townhouse on a complex near La Rochelle in France. We bought it under a 9 year leaseback scheme. Unfortunately there was a clause in the scheme that allowed the developer a get out of the lease clause after 3 years. He has now invoked that clause. I have the problem now that I have to let the property myself. I believe that the property is highly lettable, but the main problem is in trusting any French agents to let it out for us. It was with one agent this summer but unfortunately it was not let out at all to my knowledge. Can anyone give me any suggestion on the best way to get a reliable agent to let out the property in that area. I do not have the time or inclination to have to visit France to sort this out. Thanks Snail

Do you have the time and inclination to handle the letting yourself? I ask because a friend of mine has an apartment in Tenerife (Los Gigantes) and advertises the place on one UK-based website, with enquiries sent directly to her for her to make the bookings and then enter them into the websites system. I'm not saying it's perfect and it does involve a time cost, but she has had very few void periods. It's nto cheap either, and I should know! If it's a route you want to look at, Google for "holiday lettings" and you'll come across a load of sites you can use.

I let properties in France and there are quite a few websites which you can set up on-line. Some are better than others. Trust PS won't mind me recommending a couple of forums to take a look at as they don't compete: Living France http: / /dev .livingfrance .com /Editorial .aspx?page=2781 Lay My Hat http: / /www .laymyhat .com /forum/ Search both for information on letting and you'll find lots of info about which people have success with and which they don't. It does vary a lot. My places are quite near La Rochelle - it's a good area for lettings, both to Brits and Parisans. Good luck! Huw

I'll try these. Thanks for your help.

Sorry, I couldn't resist the title opportunity :-) A friend of mine uses a website called Chez Nous to let his French property and seems to get plenty of bookings for gites in the Auvergne.

Thanks for your help. The townhouse is in a complex known as jardins d'agathe in vaux sur mer. I'm led to believe that this is a good letting area, especially during the summer. Could you recommend a good website to advertise on? Also is would it be easy to find local servicing agents?

If you Google the name I gave, you should find it.