Like every year, things are moving on April 1st. After five months of suspension, the evictions of tenants who have arrears of rent can resume. It also becomes possible again to cut off electricity and gas to households in the event of non-payment, in certain cases.
For households that benefit from the energy check and the housing solidarity fund (FSL), a new decree requires suppliers to first reduce power for at least 60 days before cutting. EDF, the historical electricity supplier, no longer carries out such cuts, however, reducing instead the power supplied in order to ensure a “minimum service” (light, refrigerator, telephone charging).
Unemployment insurance benefits will be increased by 1.9% on April 1, an exceptional boost due to inflation. The decision was taken by Unédic’s board of directors. This is a “first”, because until then, only one revaluation took place per year, on July 1st. Social benefits, in particular the RSA, the activity bonus and family allowances, will increase by 1.6% on April 1.
The rate of wear noted
This rate was established from the average of the monthly inflation rates for a year, i.e. +5.6% compared to April 2022. But the real increase has been reduced to +1.6% because the government has taking into account the exceptional increase of 4% which had been granted “anticipated” in July 2022. A decision strongly criticized by associations fighting against precariousness who consider this increase very insufficient or even “indecent”.
With regard to real estate, the usury rate, which sets the upper limit for new loans, will be raised on April 1 from 4.00% to 4.24% for fixed-rate real estate loans with a duration of 20 years and more. This ceiling rate set by the Banque de France includes all the costs of a home loan: credit rate charged by the bank, borrower insurance, any brokers’ commission, etc. Since February 1, it has been exceptionally adjusted every month, to a period of six months.
Finally, the MaPrimeRénov state system, intended for energy renovation, will no longer subsidize certain “mono-gesture” projects – development of attics, insulation of roof terraces, insulation of walls from the outside or inside – intended for households to superior resources. The State is also putting an end to the bonus of 1,000 euros hitherto paid for the replacement of an oil or gas boiler with renewable energy equipment, a bonus which was initially due to end in 2022 and had been extended by 3 additional months.