2. Home Improvement Grants in France

1. French Housing Improvement Agency
2. Eligible Persons
3. Eligible Properties
4. Eligible Works
5. Level of Grant
6. Application Process

2.5. What is the Level of the Home Improvement Grant?

The level of the grant MaPrimeRénov' Décent 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 receive with one hand is taken away with the other!

i. Owner Occupiers

The grant levels depend on the condition of the property, the proposed works, the income of the applicant and the energy rating achieved after the works.

The maximum level for those on lowest incomes (tres modestes) is up to 80% of the cost of the works, excluding VAT, up to €70,000.

The maximum grants for those on a higher income (modest) is 60% of the cost of the works, up to €70,000.

In both cases the property must achieve at least an E standard energy rating to achieve this level of grant support, failing which in case each it is 50% and the maximum grant level is reduced to €50,000.

If the property before the works has an energy classification of either F or G and after works it achieves a D classification, the grant level rises to 70% and 90% respectively for the two income categories. If such a property achieves an E rating it rises to 60% and 80% respectively.

It is possible to accumulate additional grants.

One other complicating factor in the home improvements grants scheme is that there are separate schemes available for energy efficiency works.

You cannot obtain grant complementary support under the main grants scheme for energy conservation (Ma Prime Rénov).

You can read about the financial assistance for energy efficiency at Home Energy Efficiency in France.

It is also possible to make application for an interest free loan of up to €50,000 for energy conservation works. You can read more at Eco Prêt.

ii. Landlords

For landlords, grants are also available and there is no test of resources, under the scheme Habitat Mieux.

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 condition of the property, for which a standard square metre rate applies. It is quite a confusing set of rules and once all the conditions have been imposed, the level of the grant may disappoint.

The amount of the Habiter Mieux aid is 25% of the cost, excluding tax, within the limit of €750 per m², up to 80 m² per dwelling.

Energy renovation works projects carried out under the scheme give rise to the granting of a bonus, the amount of which is €1,500 per dwelling.

The bonus can be increased to €2,000 per dwelling, as soon as the energy label goes from a class F or G before the work to at least a class D after the work.

Next: Application Process

Back: Eligible Works