Housing: The Senate debates energy-inefficient homes in the midst of a heatwave, a reform that is causing division

Housing: The Senate debates energy-inefficient homes in the midst of a heatwave

As France experiences another heatwave, the Senate begins examining the government's housing bill this Tuesday. Among the most debated measures is the relaxation of rental rules for energy-inefficient properties, a provision that has sparked strong reactions from tenant advocacy groups and local elected officials.

A housing bill is being examined amid a heatwave.

Added at the last minute to the Senate's summer agenda, the housing bill will be examined Tuesday afternoon and then Wednesday in the Senate chamber. Its review comes as temperatures are expected to reach around 35°C, making issues of thermal comfort and energy efficiency in housing particularly sensitive.

Through this text, the government intends to implement part of its strategy to respond to the housing crisis, in a context marked by insufficient supply and the challenges of energy renovation.

Energy-inefficient buildings: a five-year exemption proposed

The most controversial provision concerns homes classified as F or G in the energy performance diagnosis (DPE), commonly known as energy sieves.

The bill proposes to allow the rental of the 700.000 affected properties for a maximum of five years, provided that the owner commits to carrying out renovations. This commitment would involve signing a contract with a company and paying a deposit.

"It's a win-win partnership," Housing Minister Vincent Jeanbrun emphasized on Monday on Public Sénat. He asserted that it benefits both landlords, who can use the rent to "borrow money to carry out renovations," and tenants, who are facing a housing "shortage."

Expected support in the Senate despite criticism

With a majority in the Senate, the right wing is expected to provide broad support for this measure and the entire bill. Conversely, left-wing groups and several tenant advocacy groups are denouncing a weakening of energy efficiency standards.

The National Housing Confederation (CNL), which notably represents social housing tenants, accuses the government of wanting to "save the thermal boilers" while "France is suffocating".

For its part, the Housing for All platform believes that "Their goal is to protect the landlords' profits by sacrificing exposed tenants, without consideration for human damage", and is calling for a mobilization organized since Monday near the Senate.

Mayors are demanding more power over social housing

Alongside the issue of energy-inefficient buildings, the bill also includes measures relating to the allocation of social housing.

In a joint statement published Monday by La Tribune, several dozen mayors expressed their support for the text. They called for "trusting" local elected officials by "transferring real power to them," particularly regarding the allocation of social housing.

On this issue, the Senate is advocating for the creation of a reasoned "right of veto" for mayors. Unlike the government's proposal, this power would not be limited to cases where the housing applicant had already caused public disorder.

A debate at the crossroads of the housing crisis and the energy transition

The examination of this bill illustrates the tension between two priorities: rapidly increasing the supply of available housing and accelerating the energy renovation of the existing housing stock. In the context of a heatwave, the debate on energy-inefficient buildings takes on an additional dimension, as the comfort of occupants becomes both a health and environmental issue.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.