Find out from your municipality
In general, the procedures are similar from one municipality to another. However, before you start, we recommend that you check the process to follow in your municipality in case it varies slightly. This will prevent you from wasting time and running into problems.
What the empty-house legislation says
Whatever type of sale you want to organize, the regulations specify that items must be second-hand. It can be a empty dressing room with mainly clothes, a empty house to sell trinkets or furniture, etc. The name varies depending on what you want to sell. It is necessary to have enough items to sell to organize this type of event. If this is not the case, you can offer your neighbors or relatives to bring their belongings to sell, this will allow them to empty their homes and visitors will not feel like they are moving to nothing.
The sales area
Unlike a garage sale organized by the municipality in the public space, this type of event must be organized on the property of the person who requests it and must not, in any case, spill over into the space. public. You can thus realize your empty-house / garage / dressing room in your house, your garage Where your garden. However, be careful not to invest the sidewalk. This type of overflow is really not appreciated and you would have great difficulty in obtaining a new authorization afterwards. To be able to unpack on the sidewalk, you must make a request “Authorization for temporary occupation of the public domain”. This must be done at least three months before the event.
A limit of number and time
In addition to the ban on new items, this type of sale is limited to two events per year per household. In addition, each event must not last more than two months. A request must be submitted to the town hall.
The request in town hall
You must submit a request to your town hall at least 15 days before the scheduled date for the event. To do this, you must complete the Cerfa form N ° 13939 * 01 “Prior declaration of unpacking sale”. Here are the different stages of this formality:
- You can simply download this document from the Internet or pick it up at the town hall.
- Information such as your contact details will be requested, but also the nature of the goods, the duration, the dates, etc.
- Once the form has been completed, you must attach your identity document.
- Send all the documents by registered letter to the town hall on which you depend.
As this is a request, it can be refused. It may be because it does not comply with the law, for example, if the term is too long.
Respect of deadlines
In order to be able to sell out of the box, it is important to respect the deadlines. Indeed, it is necessary to notify the town hall at least 15 days before the start of the event, but if you can do it even earlier, you will avoid the hassle. It is therefore recommended to proceed with the request at least two months in advance to have time to carry out the procedures quietly without unpleasant surprises.
Justify the unpacking sale
In order to make sure that the town hall does not refuse your request for authorization, it may be necessary to justify its usefulness. To do this, you just need to point out that you need this operation, but that it is also beneficial for the surrounding inhabitants. Indeed, you can explain that you need declutter your home before a move, following a succession, etc. You can be honest about the reasons which motivate the organization of this event. As for potential buyers, they will be able to benefit from good deals and offer a second life for objects which you don’t or no longer need.
The sanitary protocol
From now on, this aspect is invited within the framework of these events. It also reports your responsibility, since as an organizer, you are responsible towards your visitors. You must therefore set up a display reminding hygiene measures, as well as physical distancing. You must also put hydroalcoholic gel available for your visitors and a flow direction. At last, wearing a mask is compulsory. Sanitary measures may vary depending on the period and region and must be adapted to the one in force in your department at the time you carry out your empty house. On this type of event, the municipal police can carry out checks and, in the event of non-compliance, you risk a fine.
Financial transactions
Financial transactions are not limited. Indeed, cash payments between individuals are not subject to restrictions. However, in the case of a sale exceeding 1,500 €, it may be useful to establish a document of proof in writing. Do not forget to prepare a cash fund to be able to give change to your potential customers. This will prevent you from losing sales just for loose change.
Announce your unboxing
For a successful garage sale, a large number of people must be on the move. It is therefore necessary to communicate around your event. You can use social networks, but also small businesses in the area, or even post a small notice in neighborhood mailboxes. Good communication is essential to attract people on D-Day.
To conclude
Although this type of event is regulated, it is quite easy to plan an empty house. But remember that if you ignore the rules mentioned above, you risk fines:
- For non-declaration of the event by the organizer, you risk a fine of up to € 15,000.
- If the duration is not respected, you risk a fine of 1,500 €, etc.
In other words, to get the most out of your sale, it’s best to take the time to organize things properly.