Finding a Handyman in France After a Bereavement

When a loved one passes away in France, securing their property can become urgent. This is especially true if the property was rented, left empty, already owned by family through usufruit and nue-propriété, or if there is any risk that unknown people may still have access.

A local handyman can be extremely useful in the early stages. They can help change locks, repair windows, secure doors, identify weak entry points and connect you with other trusted tradespeople such as plumbers, cleaners, gardeners or pest control specialists.

Why Acting Quickly Matters

Empty properties can become vulnerable very quickly.

If the deceased’s property was rented, or if other people previously had access to the keys, it is sensible to act immediately. You may not know who has copies of the keys, whether tenants, neighbours, former contractors or others have access, or whether there are existing security weaknesses.

This is particularly important where the property is already owned outside the succession.

For example, where a parent retained a right to live in or rent out the property through usufruit, but the children already owned the nue-propriété, those children may already have a direct responsibility to secure the property once the parent has died.

In my own family’s experience, squatters were a real issue in properties already owned by usufruit arrangements. Even after the locks were changed, they attempted to re-enter through other weaknesses in the property. This is why it is not enough to simply change the front door lock and assume the property is secure.

Ask the Handyman to Check All Entry Points

When arranging the visit, ask the handyman to inspect the property for any possible access points.

This may include:

• Front and rear doors
• Patio doors
• Garage doors
• Cellar doors
• Windows
• Broken shutters
• Outbuildings
• Roof spaces
• Weak locks
• Damaged frames
• Previous forced-entry points

Ask them to confirm whether there are any obvious places where someone could enter the property and whether temporary repairs are needed.

This is especially important if the property is empty, rural, previously rented or already known locally to be unoccupied.

Changing the Locks

Changing the locks is often one of the first practical steps after a death.

Even if there is no immediate threat, it is usually sensible because you may not know who has keys.

Some French keys are high-security keys and cannot easily be copied without the original numbered security card. If you do not have that card, getting extra copies can be difficult or impossible without specialist help.

In many cases, it is easier and safer to have the entire lock barrel changed.

A handyman may be able to do this themselves, or they may recommend a local locksmith if the lock is more specialist.

Damage, Repairs and Security Work

A handyman can also help with general property problems that may become urgent during a succession.

This might include:

• Boarding or repairing broken windows
• Fixing damaged doors
• Securing shutters
• Repairing leaks where basic work is possible
• Clearing access to the property
• Checking outbuildings
• Making temporary repairs before a specialist attends
• Taking photos of damage for your records
• Meeting other tradespeople at the property

They can also be a useful local point of contact if you are managing the estate from the UK.

Finding Other Local Tradespeople

Once you find a reliable handyman, they may be able to recommend other local professionals.

This can be extremely valuable because local knowledge is often better than online searching.

They may know:

• Plumbers
• Electricians
• Cleaners
• Gardeners
• Locksmiths
• Pest control specialists
• Waste removal companies
• Builders
• Property managers

In my own experience, local recommendations were often more effective than trying to solve everything from the UK.

Where to Find a Handyman

One useful directory is English Spoken, which lists English-speaking businesses and tradespeople in France. It includes categories for trades, property maintenance, handypersons, cleaners and similar services.

However, local knowledge is often better.

Once you are in contact with the local funeral director, ask them whether they can recommend:

• A handyman
• A cleaner
• A plumber
• A locksmith
• A gardener
• A pest control specialist

Funeral directors are often well connected locally and may know reliable people who are used to helping families after a death.

Google can also be very useful. For example, I was able to find a hornet specialist by contacting several local businesses by email. Their English was non-existent, but we managed through Google Translate in person, some broken French, and emails written in French using ChatGPT.

The same approach can work well for handymen, cleaners and other tradespeople.

Cleaners and House Clearance

You may also need cleaners, especially if the property has been left for some time or if the situation is emotionally difficult.

Cleaning and clearing a deceased loved one’s property can be daunting. You may prefer to do some of it yourself to save money, but in many cases it is easier and less stressful to pay for help.

Be aware that cleaning and clearance services can become expensive, especially if the property is large, neglected or contains a lot of belongings. Ask for a clear quote before agreeing to the work.

Practical Tips Before Hiring Someone

Before instructing anyone, try to confirm:

• What work they can do
• Whether they are available quickly
• Whether they speak English or are happy communicating by translated email
• Whether they can provide photos before and after
• Whether they can inspect all entry points
• Whether they can recommend other trades
• Whether they can provide a written estimate
• Whether they are properly registered or insured where relevant

For urgent security work, speed matters, but you should still keep basic records of who you contacted, what was agreed and what was completed.

Final Thoughts

Finding a handyman may not seem like a legal priority, but it can be one of the most important practical steps after a death in France.

Changing locks, securing windows, checking for weak entry points and dealing with urgent repairs can protect the property while the succession is ongoing.

If the property is already owned outside the succession, such as through a usufruct and bare ownership arrangement, it is especially important to act quickly and secure it properly. In practice, protecting the property can be just as urgent as gathering documents or contacting the notaire.