Parliament approves the implementation of rent controls in overseas territories

The text, brought to the Senate by the socialist Audrey Bélim, was unanimously adopted there on March 5. Taken up in the Assembly by the GDR group (communists and overseas) as part of its "niche," the day dedicated to its texts, it was unanimously approved without amendment.

The text provides for the experimental implementation for a period of five years of a rent control system in municipalities located in high-demand areas in the overseas territories, which will remain optional and in the hands of local elected officials.

It also provides for the adaptation of construction material standards to local specificities.

"It implements the possibility of derogating from the CE marking - European Community - in force in the European Union in the construction sector and for the outermost regions. This exemption was obtained after a hard-fought battle in Brussels at the end of last year thanks to significant action by the French government," explained Overseas Minister Manuel Valls in the chamber.

"This will make it possible (...) to very concretely reduce the cost of materials by facilitating their importation from neighboring countries and, above all, by promoting techniques and materials developed locally," he explained.

The Minister of State gave his support to the text, pledging that it could be "applied as quickly as possible".

In his introductory remarks, he recalled that according to INSEE, in 2022, "rents were higher in the overseas territories than in mainland France, with differences of 3% in Martinique or Réunion, nearly 5% in Guadeloupe and even almost 10% in Guyana."

And "rents also occupy a more significant share of household budgets, much higher than in mainland France. While (...) incomes are often lower," he continued.

The government's support for this bill is part of a broader plan to combat the high cost of living, which should result in a bill presented in July, he stressed.