The National Assembly approved this Thursday the limit of the increase in rents at 3.5% for one year as well as a revaluation of 3.5% of personalized housing aid, within the framework of the first reading examination of the bill in favor of purchasing power.
The deputies thus approved by 198 votes against 71 article 6 of the government project, after strong exchanges between the majority and the left, who demanded a pure and simple blockade of income.
An “income shield” is envisaged with a cap on the variation in the reference income index (IRL) at 3.5% from July 2022 to June 2023, in order to limit the impact of high inflation on income increases and make the spending that households spend on their housing predictable.
rental shield
In addition, APLs paid from July 1, 2022 will be reviewed in advance, instead of October 1, as provided by current law.
The Deputy Minister of Housing, Olivier Klein, defended “balanced provisions, which allow tenants to be protected” and give “a possibility of an increase (in rents) to owners”.
He said that they were negotiating with the social landlords so that they do not apply an increase if they do not need it.
The left-wing alliance Nupes unsuccessfully defended a series of amendments to freeze rents until the end of 2023 or at least a rise limited to 1%.
“The situation of the tenants has deteriorated” and the government’s measure “does not do the trick”, estimated the communist Sébastien Jumel. “The bill is not only insufficient but dangerous” because it paves the way for rent increases of 3.5%, added Adrien Quatennens (LFI).
“Insufficient and Dangerous”
Nicolás Meizonnet (RN) also criticized “a very insufficient revaluation” of the APL “in view of the repeated cuts” in this allocation. The 3.5% increase represents an additional cost of 168 million euros for the State budget.
Through a majority supported amendment by Charles de Courson (LIOT group), the National Assembly voted for a strengthened “rent shield” for the Overseas Territories, in order to limit rent increases there to a maximum of 2 ,5%.
In addition, the opposition deputies managed to unite to approve another amendment by Charles de Courson, offering the State representative the possibility of limiting the possible rise in rents in the rural revitalization area to 1.5%.
Source: BFM TV
