The publication of a decree authorizing more municipalities, particularly coastal ones, to increase housing tax on secondary residences to combat the housing crisis has been postponed, we learned on Tuesday from the Minister responsible for Housing.
The finance law for 2023 expands the number of municipalities classified as extended zones authorized to be able to vote, until February 28, 2023, for an increase of up to 60% in the housing tax on secondary residences.
Previously, only municipalities belonging to a zone of continuous urbanization of more than 50,000 inhabitants where a marked imbalance between supply and demand for housing led to serious difficulties in access to housing were eligible. The new law widens this zoning by abandoning the criterion of 50,000 inhabitants.
Government backpedaling
In a press release, the National Association of Coastal Elected Officials (Anel) denounces a backpedaling by the government which postpones sine die the tax to create more permanent housing.
The only local tax lever left to the municipalities to [favoriser] permanent residents
Increasing the housing tax on secondary residences is the only local tax lever left to municipalities to finance a proactive policy in favor of permanent residents, adds Anel, which calls on the government to issue the necessary decree, at least on a consensual list of municipalities awaiting the freedom to vote for an increased housing tax.
Anel denounces in particular the way in which the law is drafted, which does not allow municipalities classified in extended areas to combine the receipts of the housing tax on vacant housing and those derived from an increase in the housing tax. on secondary residences.
Minister of Housing: we remain strongly mobilized to implement it
This increase is an important measure that we supported as part of the finance bill, we remain strongly mobilized to implement it, assured AFP the office of the Minister responsible for Housing, Olivier Klein.
Exchanges with the associations of elected officials in January highlighted the impossibility of finding a balanced position on the extension of the zoning for publication of the decree in mid-February, in particular with regard to the fears aroused by the side effects of the measure on the municipalities which could no longer raise the housing tax on vacant housing, specified the minister. The objective remains a publication as soon as possible. for the measure to play its incentive effect from 2023 and that the municipalities have time to deliberate in the best conditions between now and October, added the minister.
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