2. Home Improvement Grants in France

1. 2.1. French Housing Improvement Agency
   2.2. Eligible Persons
   2.3. Eligible Properties
   2.4. Eligible Works
   2.5. Level of Grant
   2.6. Application Process

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2.5. What is the Level of Home Improvement Grants in France?

The level of the grant will vary according to the condition of the property, the type of works, and the circumstances of the applicant.

There are local variations in the rules, and although you may meet the basic eligibility criteria, a grant is not awarded as of right.

If the property is within a housing improvement area, (called Opération Programme d’Amélioration de l’Habitat (OPAH)), there is the prospect of additional assistance through the local or county council, although you may well find what you recieve with one hand is taken away with the other!

i. Owner-Occupiers

For owner-occupiers, where the property is considered to be insanitary, the grant is up to 50%, with a maximum grant of €25,000.

Where the property is merely considered to be in need of improvement, the grant is up to 50%, with a maximum grant of €10,000.

The level of support for adaptations for elderly or disabled persons is also up to 50%, depending on income.

Separately from the main grant regime, there is also assistance available of up to €1,600 for energy conservation works. The scheme is titled Habiter Mieux. It can only be granted on condition of the award of a main improvement grant.

ii. Landlords

For landlords, grants are also available, and there is no test of resources.

However, the property must be let to tenants with a maximum income level, and at a controlled rent. The income thresholds and the rental levels do vary substantially, depending on the location of the property and the nature of the contract with the housing agency. The lower the rental level agreed, the higher the level of the grant.

The actual amount of the grant for a landlord will also depend on the size of the property, for which a standard square metre rate applies.

In the provinces, the standard rate in 2011 is €500m² up to a maximum cost ceiling of €40,000 per property; around Paris, Geneva and the Cote d'Azur it is €800m², up to a maximum cost of €80,000 per property.

Assistance is up to the rate of 25% to 35% up to the maximum cost of €80,000 for those properties considered to be insanitary, and €40,000 maximum cost ceiling for properties considered to be in need of improvement.

Grants of 25% up to a maximum of €40,000 are also available for conversion works.

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Next: Execution of the Works

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