The measure was in the pipeline, but now it’s official. And it’s more bad news for property owners. The fault lies with Michel Barnier who has decided to lend a helping hand to the departments, which say they are financially strapped. Falling sales wreak havoc with their accountsThe loss of revenue has exceeded three billion euros over the last three years. And around two billion over the last 12 months, according to the Départements de France association’s forecasts, unveiled at the end of the year. Figaro.

The return of the taxe d’habitationdisguised as a “universal contribution” (paid by landlords and tenants), is growing by the day. “If the taxe d’habitation is reinstated for mayors, the departmental share of the taxe foncière must be returned to us.“says Figaro the Départements de France association. But there’s another measure that has been gaining momentum in recent weeks, and which will soon see the light of day. It, too, is likely to cause a great deal of gnashing of teeth among property owners and real estate professionals alike.

1250 euros more for the French to pay

This concerns transfer duties, more commonly known as “notaire’s fees”. These are generally paid by buyers when they sell a property. These fees amount to between 7% and 8% of the price of an old home (between 2% and 3% for the purchase of a new home), or around 19,000 euros for a property costing 250,000 euros. The départements are clamoring for an increase in their share, set at a maximum of 4.5%, to improve their financial situation.

Like Le Figaro announced it a month ago, Matignon was studying this possibility. Michel Barnier has just granted the départements’ wish, at the meeting of the Départements de France association. The Prime Minister announced an increase of “only” 0.5 points in property transfer taxes, rather than the one point the départements had hoped for. But this increase will be valid for three years. It is equivalent to 1,250 euros for a household buying a home for 250,000 euros. “This +0.5% will give the départements a little breathing space without weighing too heavily on property purchases, notably because there is an exemption from transfer duties on new property. But the question of a new revenue does not exempt us from a real reflection on imposed expenses.“reacted Figaro French Departments.