As property taxes continue to weigh heavily on homeowners, the idea of sharing the burden with renters is starting to gain momentum. Here is what real estate specialists think of this possible redistribution.
Real estate taxation in France is a subject that gives rise to numerous debates, especially with recent developments in housing-related taxes. Since the abolition of council tax for the majority of taxpayers, the pressure on owners has intensified. Indeed, in the space of ten years, it has recorded an impressive increase, particularly in certain municipalities, far exceeding the average increase in rents.
This situation calls into question the equitable distribution of financial burdens linked to housing and questions the role that tenants could be brought to play. Defended by certain real estate specialists, a new idea could lead to the creation of a tax for tenants in order to better meet the needs of communities and the expectations of citizens.
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A constantly evolving tax
For several years, owners have continued to feel the weight of constantly increasing property taxes. According to a report from the National Union of Real Estate Owners (Unpi), this tax increased by +32.9% between 2013 and 2023, well beyond the change in rents. For Sylvain Grataloup, president of Unpi, this situation is unfair, because tenants benefit from the infrastructure financed by the tax without contributing directly to it. “There is no reason why tenants should not pay it,” he says.
This proposal is based on the fact that, since 2023, tenants no longer participate in the financing of local public services such as crèches and collective facilities from which the inhabitants of the municipality benefit. This situation creates, according to them, a fiscal imbalance. “Everything is free for them,” laments the expert, thus emphasizing the importance of finding a way to make all citizens, owners and tenants, responsible.
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Towards a new contribution for tenants?
However, the idea of having tenants participate in the payment of property tax does not convince everyone. David Rodrigues, lawyer at the CLCV, considers this proposal “an aberration”, recalling that it is linked to the ownership of land and buildings. According to him, it is unjustified to make them contribute to a tax supposed to be paid by the owners. “The property tax is attached to land and property rights. When the tenant leaves, he is not going to take part of the building with him,” he explains. In addition, he fears that this measure will lead to abuses, particularly in co-ownership, where tenants could then claim the right to participate in general meetings and propose work.
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Faced with these criticisms, Unpi proposes to replace this real estate tax with the creation of a new one called “local contribution of community users” (Cluc). The latter would be considered as degressive and adjusted according to the civic involvement of each resident. “We would no longer be talking about owners or tenants, but about users,” he explains. Although this idea has its supporters and detractors, the Cluc will not be included in the 2025 budget.
