how to benefit from the rate shield in co-ownership

In response to soaring gas prices, the government had decided to put in place, from November 2021, a “tariff shield”, a freeze on regulated gas prices. But the measure did not apply to the inhabitants of condominiums collectively heated by gas or connected to a heat network (urban heating).

Following the mobilization of associations, in particular co-owners and trustees, it is now done, via a decree signed on April 9, 2022.

“This text will make it possible to reduce the price of gas paid for the 2021-2022 heating season to the regulated price for the month of October 2021 for more than 5 million households living in collective housing buildings” (including social housing), specifies the Ministry of Housing. In practice, this will take the form of compensation, of a refund made after the fact on the co-ownership charges.

But obtaining the latter presupposes an approach by the co-ownership trustees. “We must contact the gas suppliers without delay, ensure that the formalities are carried out in order to recover state aid and control the critical increase in this expense item”indicates Patrick Durand, president of the commission relating to the joint ownership within the Union of the trade unions of the real estate (UNIS) Marseilles-Provence-Corsica.

Sworn statement to send

To obtain the funds, the trustee must, in fact, first complete the sworn statement appended to the decree of April 9. Must include the share of each lot for residential use as indicated in the co-ownership regulations. Because the aid is provided to individuals, but not to legal persons: a business or a tenant or co-owner company in the building cannot benefit from the tariff shield.

This certificate is then sent to the gas supplier, the operator of the collective heating installation or the manager of the district heating network of the co-ownership. The latter estimates the aid using the calculation formulas indicated in the decree, then submits the request on behalf of the co-owners to the Services and Payment Agency (ASP), the public institution responsible for reimbursement. The sums are then transferred to the syndicate of co-owners, who will have to distribute them among the latter, according to the percentages.

“We must act very quickly, the request for assistance from the Service and Payment Agency must be sent before 1^er May 2022 for gas consumption from 1^er November 2021 to February 28, 2022, even if a catch-up counter is scheduled for May 20, 2022 for requests that have not arrived on time”, says Emile Hagège, director general of the Association of condominium managers (ARC). For consumption after February 28, another assignment of compensation request is planned.

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