From the obligatory use of snow tyres in mountainous regions to the Mois Sans Tabac campaign and support programme for smokers wanting to quit, here’s a rundown of all the changes coming into force in France from 1st November.
NO EVICTION PERIOD
The start of November triggers the five-month winter break that prevents landlords from evicting tenants due to unpaid rent, being nuisances or non-compliance with co-ownership regulations.
The so-called trêve hivernale runs from 1st November to 31st March and is intended to protect people who may otherwise find themselves homeless during the coldest months of the year.
MOIS SANS TABAC
November is Mois Sans Tabac in France, a month in which those who want to stop smoking can access a free support programme. Along with daily advice and motivation, smokers can join in with chat groups and speak directly to professionals for personalised help to kick the habit for good on the chatline 3989.
WINTER WEATHER
The first snow has fallen on France’s mountains; well-timed with the annual government reminder that all vehicles with four or more wheels must transition to winter tyres.
As previously reported by Monaco Life, the term ‘winter tyres’ covers all tyres that are marked with M+S, M.S or M&S, or the alpine symbol known as 3PMSF (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake) alongside an MS variation. All season or four weather tyres are not considered acceptable if they don’t have one of the previously mentioned symbols. From 2024, only tyres with the 3PMSF option will be valid. In all cases, each wheel of the vehicle must be fitted with snow tyres. If not changing to winter tyres, drivers must make sure they have snow chains or snow socks for a minimum of two out of four wheels in the boot.
Those flouting the rules risk a 135€ fine if they are stopped by police.
Signs will alert drivers when they are entering a zone where these precautions are required. A list of communes near Monaco that are affected by the rules is available here.
AMICABLE SETTLEMENT HEARINGS
From 1st November, amicable settlement hearings have been officially added to the roster of other “friendly” methods of resolving disputes. Intended particularly for quarrels involving construction, inheritance or liquidation of matrimonial property, these hearings will involve a judge whose purpose is to mediate an agreement between the opposing parties in a timely, non-aggressive way.
“Trial breaks” have also been incorporated into the system, allowing those involved in a dispute to ask judges to focus on a specific part of an issue that needs to be solved. If the judge agrees, only that issue is looked at.
SUPPLEMENTARY PENSIONS – AND FEES
Employees working in the fields of industry, commerce and agricultural services must now contribute to the Agirc-Arrco supplementary pension plan.
The plan is aimed at benefitting more than 13 million current retirees and guarantees a supplementary pension to basic social security payments for future pensioners. Starting 1st November, recipients will see a 4.9% increase in their monthly pay-outs to help keep up with inflationary pressures.
For more information, click here.
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Photo source: Daniel Foster, Unsplash