Questions on our web site
Do you have trouble reading PDF files?
To read PDF files, you need Adobe's Acrobat Reader freeware. The program, which is very easy to install, can be downloaded from the Adobe website:http://www.adobe.fr.
Do you want to be informed about upcoming communities?
Go to the home finding service on our website, select the location and type of home you are looking for, and leave us your contact details. You will receive an e-mail each time a new home that meets your criteria is put on line.
Do you want to receive our promotional offers?
Add your name to our mailing list to keep up on all our corporate and/or sales news. You will receive an e-mail each time a new promotional offer is put on line.
Do you have trouble viewing our virtual tours?
We offer several virtual tours of neighborhoods and decorated homes that can be viewed on both Macintosh and PC platforms. The site offers progressive image loading to shorten your wait. You do not need any special software to view the images. However, your browser (Internet Explorer or Netscape) must be configured to enable Java. If you log on from work, your company may have a firewall that blocks viewing of our virtual tours.
Questions on our commercial order
Can Kaufman & Broad build a home on my own property?
Kaufman & Broad builds and develops apartment buildings and communities of single-family homes. We do not build homes outside communities.
Can I rent a Kaufman & Broad home or apartment?
As a builder and developer, we are solely involved in selling new properties. We do, however, have rental partnerships with two companies-SERGIC in Ile-de-France and GESTRIM in the regions-who may be able to offer you Kaufman & Broad housing units for rent. For further information, go to their websites: http://www.sergic.com and http://www.gestrim.com.
Does Kaufman & Broad sell building lots?
As a builder and developer, we buy property on which to build single-family homes and apartments that will be sold to private individuals. We do not sell building lots.
When do I sign the notarized deed of sale (signature notariée)?
One to two months after you sign the reservation contract. The notary will send you a draft deed of sale with a detailed description (known as the Mai 68 description) and the condominium or homeowners' association by-laws for review ahead of time. Either the notary or the sales department will contact you to set up a signature date. At the signature meeting, you will be asked to pay a percentage of the purchase price in accordance with your payment schedule and the progress of work.
Now that I've reserved a Kaufman & Broad home, what about my payment schedule?
When you sign the notarized deed of sale, you are given a provisional schedule of installments. Calls for funds will be sent to you in accordance with the schedule and the progress of work. Remember, this schedule is provisional and can therefore be modified depending on the progress of work.
Important: Payment is due fifteen days after you receive a call for funds. If you go away on vacation, be sure to leave a forwarding address with your customer representative.
What does delivery entail?
We will send you a letter specifying the date and time of delivery one month before you are scheduled to receive the keys to your apartment or home. On the delivery date you will be given a package including:
- The technical manuals for the electrical appliances and equipment in your home, such as radiators, hot water heaters, thermostats, boilers and heated towel racks.
- The Kaufman & Broad Homeowners' Manual (Guide Pratique de l'Acquéreur).
- Your Customer Service representative's contact details.
- An H1 or H2 property tax exemption form, to be sent to the French tax authorities within 90 days of completion of works.
- Contact details for your building manager or homeowners' association, tax center, France
Telecom telephone agency and all other service providers you may have to deal with
You will receive the keys to your home in exchange for a bank check in the amount of the final installment.
During delivery, several copies of a walk-through list (état des lieux) will be prepared. You will be given a copy, on which your comments will be noted.
What is a walk-through (état des lieux)?
A walk-through is the final inspection carried out when you are given the keys to your home. This inspection results in the binding signature of a walk-through report (procès-verbal d'état des lieux) and covers equipment and finishes. All patent defects, such as nicks, dents, splinters and stains, should be noted.
Important: You have a period of 30 days after the walk-through in which to submit an additional list of latent defects, by registered letter with return receipt.
What does the Customer Service Department do?
The Customer Service Department's mission is to provide effective support after you have moved into your home. Our representatives are there to inform and advise you. They take the appropriate action in response to your letters, phone calls, faxes or e-mails. Your satisfaction is our top priority.
What is damage to works insurance (assurance dommages-ouvrage)?
This insurance, valid for ten years from acceptance of works (réception des travaux), consists of:
- A two-year proper operation guarantee (garantie de bon fonctionnement).
- A ten-year warranty (garantie décennale).
What is the completion guarantee (garantie de parfait achèvement)?
This is a one-year guarantee under which the builder agrees to carry out the required work and assume related risks during the year following completion. Should you notify our Customer Service Department of any problems during this year, workers will come to your home to carry out the necessary repairs. They will have a repair order (ordre de reprise) describing the work to be performed. You will be asked to sign this document once they have finished. If you are not entirely satisfied, write your comments on the back of the document.
What is the proper operation guarantee (garantie de bon fonctionnement)?
Le The two-year proper operation guarantee, which extends the completion guarantee by a year, covers all equipment that can be removed, de-installed or replaced without damaging the structure, such as shutters, interior joinery, visible pipes, boilers and radiators.
Important: Fixtures and fittings that finish the structure and make the home comfortable and enjoyable, such as household appliances, are not covered by this guarantee.
What is the ten-year warranty (garantie décennale)?
The ten-year warranty extends coverage for a further eight years for any damage that weakens the building or makes it unfit for its intended use. This includes such things as hazardous cracks or leaks in the walls or floors, poorly waterproofed facades and damage to the foundations or structural framework.
Important: The damage to works insurer may refuse to repair damage that does not weaken the building or make it unfit for its intended use.
What should I do if I have a damage claim?
This type of claim concerns damage that weakens the building or makes it unfit for its intended use. If you have a claim, contact your Kaufman & Broad Customer Service representative as quickly as possible. He or she will put you in contact with our Insurance Department and will assist you.
In all cases, you must notify the Customer Service Department by registered letter with return receipt within five days after the damage appears.
Important: In the event of a damage claim for common areas, contact your building manager (syndic) or the president of your homeowners' association (Association Syndicale Libre-ASL). This person is responsible for contacting Customer Service.
How do I get a copy of the floorplan or the condominium/homeowners' association by laws after I buy a Kaufman & Broad apartment or home?
The first owner of the home is given an original copy of all these documents when the first notarized deed of sale is signed. The notary also keeps a copy. You can contact them to obtain copies for yourself.
If you have purchased a home in a Kaufman & Broad community, the president of the ASL (Association Syndicale Libre) has all the information on the original sale, the floorplans and other written documents on file. If you have a Kaufman & Broad apartment, the building manager (Syndic) has the file.
The Customer Service Department also has a copy of these documents for homes and apartments delivered after 1998. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide documents prior to that as a fire destroyed our records in 1998.
What does the building manager (syndic) do and is a manager required?
Condominium must have a manager, who manages and represents it. This function may be handled by a professional company, which receives management fees, or by one of the unit owners on a volunteer basis. Responsibilities include applying and following up the decisions made by the General Meeting of Owners and managing the building. This entails preparing a provisional budget to enable calls for funds, presenting the financial statements at the General Meeting for approval and managing tenders and quotes from contractors.
When you move into your new apartment, a temporary building manager will already have been appointed. The first General Meeting of Owners will decide whether or not to confirm this appointment.
What is the Association Syndicale Libre (ASL)?
In Kaufman & Broad communities in France, the Association Syndicale Libre, or ASL, serves as the homeowners' association. It is in charge of the common areas, including the roads and landscaping.
How is ownership divided among residents?
You have bought a Kaufman & Broad apartment: In a multi-unit building, or condominium, each unit owner also owns a share of the common areas (i.e., roof, entrance, courtyard, gardens, stairs and attic). This share is determined in relation to apartment size, expressed in fractions known as tantièmes. You have bought a home in a Kaufman & Broad community:
Owners of single-family homes are also concerned by the management and upkeep of common areas such as roads and landscaping. Two types of arrangements exist for houses built at the same time: 1) "horizontal" co-ownership, and 2) management by a homeowners' association (ASL). If you received a set of co-ownership regulations when you bought your home, you are covered by a "horizontal" arrangement. This means that all of the community's land is considered to be a common area and that the homeowners have private and exclusive use of the lots surrounding their homes. If, on the other hand, you received the by-laws of a homeowners' association, you are covered by an ASL arrangement. These by-laws serve as the community's regulations and define its procedures. In both cases, the management company or ASL is responsible for maintaining the common areas, applying the community's regulations and ensuring compliance with the community's overall style.
What is the procedure if I want to finish the attic in my Kaufman & Broad home?
Your attic must conform to codes for living space
This information is included in the deed of sale. If your attic conforms to codes for living space, you can go ahead and have the work done as long as you comply with the original building permit. Make sure that you select a remodeler who can provide the necessary guarantees and insurance.
Your attic does not conform to code for living space
If you find in the deed of sale that your attic does not conform to code for living space, ask the president of the ASL for the community building permit to see if there is any remaining available net floor area (surface hors œuvre net or S.H.O.N.).
There are two possibilities:
- There is some net floor area (SHON) available.
In this case, you will need to file a simplified building permit to the local authority. Once it is approved, you can go ahead and have the work done. Make sure that you select a remodeler who can provide the necessary guarantees and insurance.
- There is no net floor area (SHON) available.
Important: It is compulsory to obtain necessary authorizations before starting any work in your attic. Failure to do so may result in a substantial fine and the obligation to restore your home to its original condition.
What if I want to install or modify a fireplace?
Your home may be delivered with a chimney and a space for installing an open or closed fireplace. If you want to modify your fireplace, with an insert for example, the fireplace provider is responsible for insuring the related risk to the structure's integrity. This risk is not covered by Kaufman & Broad's damage to works insurance.
What if I want to put in a swimming pool?
Before you get started, be sure to consult your community's specifications to see if a pool is authorized. The ASL will also have to approve your project. And, you will have to fill out forms with your city hall.
You should know that pool construction could jeopardize your house's integrity and invalidate your guarantees. Make sure that no water or drainage pipes cross your homesite, that your lot is large enough to accommodate the pool area and that you have the right type of soil for this kind of work.
We recommend that you contact a specialized engineering office for preliminary design.
Questions on our activity and financial statement
What are the different forms of share ownership ?
Shares can be held in the following forms :
Bearer:
Bearer, in which case they are held in a share account managed by your bank or broker. This is the most common type of share ownership in France.
Registered:
Administered registered shares are registered with Kaufman & Broad, but held in a share account managed by your bank or broker.
- Pure registered shares are registered with Kaufman & Broad and held in a share account with CACEIS Trust Corporate.
What are the advantages and drawbacks of administered registered shares and pure registered shares ?
Pure registered shares
Advantages
- You receive regular information on Kaufman & Broad's operations, and in particular notice of Annual Meetings.
- There are no custody fees.
Drawback
- If your entire share portfolio is held in a pure registered share account, you will receive individual statements for each account.
Administered registered shares
Advantages
- You receive regular information on Kaufman & Broad's operations and are able to buy and sell securities through your financial institution.
- You receive a single share account statement for tax purposes.
Drawback
- You have to pay custody fees.
How do I register my K&B shares in a pure registered share account ?
Instruct your financial institution to transfer your Kaufman & Broad shares to CACEIS, which will convert them from bearer shares to pure registered shares. For more information, contact : +33 (0)1.57.78.31.51
On what market are Kaufman & Broad shares traded ?
Kaufman & Broad is traded on the Paris Bourse.
What is Kaufman & Broad's ISIN code ?
FR 000 4007813.
When does the fiscal year end ?
The Kaufman & Broad fiscal year ends on November 30.
When will the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders be held ?
The next Annual Meeting will be held on April, 2007.
For more information, Click here
How can I attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders ?
The Annual Meeting is an opportunity for you to find out about the company's situation and express your views on its management.
If your shares are held in bearer form ownership of the shares will need to be evidenced by a certificate issued by the bank or broker that manages your share account, stating that the shares were placed in a blocked account at least five days before the Meeting. You also have to obtain an admittance card, by instructing your bank or broker to send the certificate to Banque NSMD accompanied by a request for an admittance card.
If your shares are held in registered form you can request an admittance card directly from Banque NSMD. No other formalities are necessary.
How can I vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders without attending ?
You can take part in the Meeting by filling in a postal voting/proxy form, which can be obtained as follows:
If your shares are held in bearer form instruct your bank or broker to send the certificate stating that your shares have been placed in a blocked account to Banque NSMD, accompanied by a request for a postal voting or proxy form for the relevant number of shares.
If your shares are held in registered form ask Banque NSMD directly for a postal voting or proxy form. No other formalities are necessary.
Postal voting:
Shareholders can use postal voting forms to vote for or against or abstain from the resolutions submitted to the Meeting. Failure to indicate your vote will automatically be considered to be a vote against the resolution.
Proxy voting:
Give your first and last names and address on the proxy form. The proxy, which will only be valid for the duration of the Meeting, can be given to:
An authorized representative, who can be another shareholder or your spouse and who will vote as instructed.
The Chairman, without indicating how you wish to vote. The Chairman will cast your vote in favor of all resolutions submitted by the company's management.