Senate votes to promote renovation of old housing

On Thursday, March 20, the Senate adopted a socialist text to adapt energy renovation requirements to the specific characteristics of old buildings, which are often made of specific materials that increase the cost and complexity of the work.

While a third of France's housing stock was built before 1948, representing 11 million homes, the bill proposed by Moselle Senator Michaël Weber aims to promote "responsible rehabilitation of old buildings," an "environmental, social and heritage" issue according to its author.

Supported by the government and adopted unanimously at first reading in the Senate, this text notably allows for the inclusion in law of a definition of old buildings, specifying that this includes "traditional techniques and materials".

Above all, it proposes adapting the energy performance diagnosis (DPE) to the "thermal specificities" of the old building by requiring that the work recommendations integrate the "technical, architectural and heritage constraints weighing on the building".

The initiative also provides for "additional specific skills" required of auditors of old buildings when these are of heritage interest.

Although a consensus was reached in the Senate, several parliamentarians regretted that the text did not include a financial component to support renovations in old buildings.

The Minister for Relations with Parliament, Patrick Mignola, welcomed a "text of general interest" which will "fill one of the gaps in current legislation by adapting certain requirements."

Her colleague in charge of Housing, Valérie Létard, took the opportunity to announce the publication of a decree related to this initiative, which facilitates access to MaPrimeRénov' for owners who have taken out a zero-interest loan for existing properties. This decree also raises the ceiling for public and private aid for energy renovations from 80% to 90% of the cost of the work.

"Significant support to reclaim and acquire existing housing," Ms. Létard told the senators.

His ministry also announced the publication of a "good practices" guide for professionals, diagnosticians and energy auditors, specifically dedicated to old buildings.

The bill is now being sent to the National Assembly.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.