On Monday July 4, Olivier Klein was appointed Minister Delegate for Cities and Housing, under the leadership of Christophe Bchu, Minister for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion. Although the real estate sector welcomes the appointment of these two interlocutors, many files must be dealt with quickly.
Knowing the skills of Mr. Olivier Klein, we are satisfied with his appointment. On the side of the Association Consumption Housing Living Environment (CLCV), as on the side of many other players in the sector, the appointment of Olivier Klein to the post of Minister Delegate for Cities and Housing is welcomed. Pragmatic, connoisseur of issues, builder mayor… adjectives abound since he took up his post on Monday, July 4, under the leadership of Christophe Bchu, Minister for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion.
The world of housing welcomes the arrival of a deputy minister, Olivier Klein
Henry Buzy-Cazaux, president of the Institute for the management of real estate services, paints the portrait of a man he considers cut out for the job: Taking a mayor (Olivier Klein has been mayor of Clichy-sous-Bois since 2020) it is a good choice, insofar as they have an important role to play in the housing issue. For example, they are the ones who sign building permits. In addition, he knows the subject of environmental and urban renovation. He was the head of the National Agency for Urban Renovation (ANRU), which is a determining tool of housing policy today. Finally, he is a man with social sensitivity.
Armed with all these qualities, the new minister will have to strive to find solutions to a large number of issues. In other words, Olivier Klein’s summer promises to be busy. MoneyVox takes stock of the topics that players in the sector hope to see evolve quickly.
Dossier n1: the fight against inflation
This is undoubtedly the most urgent project. We must cushion the violence of the consequences of inflation, confirms Henry Buzy-Cazaux. Limit the increase in rents or freeze them purely and simply? For the moment, it is the first option that has been chosen, with a cap of 3.5% maximum. We consider that everyone is making an effort and that the approach is reasonable, commented Jean-Marc Torrolion, president of Fnaim. The bet is reasonable, according to him, it will allow cushion the effects of inflation over this difficult period exceptional that we live.
We are still for a rent freeze which would restore a semblance of purchasing power to tenants, assures the CLCV. With regard to more targeted measures, we are also in favor of rent control as is already the case in Paris, Lyon or Bordeaux. The consumer association also wants a tariff shield extension gas at least until June 2023 and a broader reflection on an extension of the gas price regulation tariff.
Dossier n2: review the energy transition schedule
A rental prohibited for housing classified G in the energy performance diagnosis (DPE) from 2025, 2028 for housing classified F and 2034 for housing classified E: the calendar imposed by the Climate and Resilience law of 2021 worries. Fnaim values that by 2034, 4.7million housing units will leave the private rental stock if nothing is done by then. And while the government is counting on 700,000 renovations per year, many consider the project difficult to sustain. For the moment, what we see is that 700,000 people use Ma Prime Rnov’ every year, but that does not mean that 700,000 homes are renovated every year, warns Fnaim.
Rent freeze, rental ban: the schedule of sanctions for the new DPE
For Mal Bernier, spokesman for the broker Meilleurtaux, it is urgent to review the schedule: We will not be able to impose obligations so quickly on owners that have such an impact, on their finances in particular. We must not forget that among landlords, there are many who have real estate loans on the back. It cannot be considered that every donor has the means to carry out this work in record time.
Especially since the question of the lack of materials and craftsmen is also present. Already very much in demand, the sector is likely to be more so tomorrow with the renovation site, points out the Chamber of Real Estate Diagnosists (CDI-FNAIM). Employment is already a major issue and often even a hindrance to business development of the sector.
DPE, energy audit… With these new obligations, the best solution is to sell my home
For his part, Henry Buzy-Cazaux believes that the previous five-year period has made it possible to set a course. From now on, you need the user manual, to know how we are going to implement this ambitious policy. So far we have been told this is what to do, now we will have to be told how to do it.
File n3: an increase in the debt ratio for certain goods
During a press briefing devoted to households excluded from real estate credit, the broker Pretto delivered a proposal on Tuesday which could make it possible to advance the ecological transition in housing: increase the maximum debt ratio from 35% to 38% for the financing of energy efficiency work, or directly for the purchase of high energy efficiency goods. With a shocking argument: this increase will not increase credit risk, thanks to the reduction in the energy bill and the conservation of the value of the asset over time.
Dossier n4: improving the balance of territories
A file that fits more broadly into the issue of access to housing. Insufficient supply of housing, high prices, both for rents and for purchases… So many problems which could find answers in the rebalancing of the territories. The French are interested in medium-sized towns and rural communities, they must be accompanied, assures Henry Buzy-Cazaux. Greater supply in these cities will lower prices and remove market tensions.
File n5: the rate of wear maintained, until when?
On July 1, the usury rate, above which banks are not allowed to lend, was raised, as every quarter (from 2.40% to 2.57%). But the Minister of the Economy decided not to touch the method of calculation, which was however demanded by banks and brokers. In January, we had rates of 1.10% and a wear rate of 2.41%, today we have rates of 2% and a wear rate of 2.57%, asks Mal Bernier. It is not possible, there is nothing more that happens. Because this nominal rate is added to the administrative fees, the borrower’s insurance… Very often, the overall credit rate (APR) therefore exceeds the wear rate.
If the Banque de France assures that it has not seen any blockage in the granting of credit, banks and brokers assure that it is already taking place and that it will be more and more visible over the months. To the point of forcing the government to backtrack on the issue of how to calculate the wear rate?
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