I have no idea how this sort of thing works in the UK, but the two possibilities that leap to mind for are:
1. Create an SCI where your friend purchases a number of the shares in the property.
2. If you are of retirement age or thereabouts, look into a "vente en viager" - which is basically a "reverse mortgage" (as it's called in the US).

Talk to a notaire (or take a look at the material - available in English) on the notaire website:

Notaires de - Annuaire officiel et conseils juridiques

Retrouvez toutes les informations sur les services notariaux, les conseils juridiques et les démarches proposées par les Notaires de .

www.notaires.fr

You can at least determine whether either arrangement might accomplish what you are looking for.

 

 

Thank you for your quick reply. Yes, the SCI route sounds like something to pursue. Have you had any first hand experience of this? Tax implications for the 'shareholder ' utilising funds from the UK? Death of shareholder and rights to remain in the house.. I guess questions for the notaire.

 

Probably best asked of the notaire. My only direct experience with SCIs was when my husband and his sisters were settling their parents' estate, which included two properties - one the family home and the other a business building. Ultimately, one of the sisters took the family home (as her part of the total estate) while the siblings set up the business building as an SCI. But I believe there were in the SCI related to the fact that the building was part of an inheritance. When they decided to sell the building (to the business operating in the building) they had to all three agree on the of the sale because with inherited property the children inherited it tly with indivisible interests. Don't think that would apply to the arrangement you're looking at.

 

Thanks. Yes a notaires visit sounds best. Thank you again.