The ongoing tension between UNIS Lyon-Rhône, a prominent real estate professionals’ syndicate, and the Métropole de Lyon has escalated into a public debate, spotlighting critical issues surrounding property renovation and rental market regulation. On December 2nd, UNIS Lyon-Rhône, alongside Untec Rhône-Alpes-Auvergne and BTP Rhône et Métropole, held a press conference to denounce what they describe as crippling delays in the Ecoreno’v grant program and the ‘inconsistencies’ of rent control policies. This confrontation reveals a deeper struggle over urban development and social equity in the region, intensified by upcoming metropolitan elections.
Ecoreno’v: A Stalled Engine for Renovation?
At the heart of the dispute over Ecoreno’v, the Métropole’s 54,000-euro subsidy for condominium energy renovation, are significant processing delays. The three organizations claim that instruction periods have stretched to six to twelve months, with some cases reportedly reaching 24 months. This backlog has paralyzed 62 operations, affecting 3,000 housing units and holding up 75 million euros in renovation work.
Gregory Faty, President of the Technical Facade Treatment Commission at BTP Métropole, starkly states, ‘We are at a standstill on renovation projects. We estimate that 30 to 40% of our member companies’ turnover is blocked, and 80 to 100 hirings have not been made.’ Laurent Penicaud, National Vice-President of Untec, questions the very availability of these funds, asking, ‘Will these subsidies truly arrive?’
Renaud Payre, Vice-President of the Métropole responsible for thermal renovation, acknowledges a ‘probable’ elongation of deadlines but attributes it to an increased volume of applications, incomplete dossiers requiring more extensive review, and national budgetary uncertainties. He assures that once a co-ownership receives the ‘go’ from the Métropole and Alec (local energy and climate agency), funding is guaranteed. Payre also highlights the Métropole’s commitment, noting, ‘The Métropole has injected 41 million euros into private sector renovation since 2020,’ coinciding with the Green party’s leadership.
Rent Control: A Double-Edged Sword?
The second major point of contention is the rent control framework, implemented in Lyon since 2021. UNIS Lyon-Rhône argues that its current form is inconsistent and produces ‘perverse effects.’ They criticize the insufficient geographical zoning (five zones), advocating for a system based on living space rather than the number of rooms, and prioritizing a dwelling’s energy performance certificate over its construction year.
A report from the Clameur rent observatory, cited by UNIS, suggests that the existing rent control mechanism could lead to a reduction in rental supply and hinder financing for crucial energy renovation works. The syndicate argues that current controls prevent landlords from funding necessary improvements, potentially leading to properties being withdrawn from the rental market. This concern is underscored by the Climate and Resilience Law, which prohibits the rental of G-rated energy performance dwellings and will extend to F-rated properties by 2028.
UNIS’s proposals, including increasing the number of zones, removing the room-count criterion, and replacing the construction period with energy class, have been largely unheeded by the Métropole. Renaud Payre contends that UNIS, along with other real estate associations like UNPI and Fnaim, are ‘fundamentally against rent control’ and ‘stubbornly clinging to their positions,’ describing the dialogue as ‘very complicated, if not broken,’ and accusing them of ‘bad faith.’
Political Undercurrents and Future Implications
While UNIS Lyon-Rhône maintains its criticisms are long-standing and apolitical, Renaud Payre views the timing of their press conference as anything but coincidental, occurring just three and a half months before metropolitan elections. He alludes to the recent presence of Jean-Michel Aulas, a prominent opponent of the Green party, at an UNPI 69 general assembly, suggesting a political alliance with UNIS Lyon-Métropole.
This clash extends beyond immediate policy disagreements, touching upon fundamental questions about the future of Lyon’s urban landscape. Is the Métropole effectively balancing environmental goals with social equity and economic realities? Are its policies fostering sustainable development or inadvertently creating new challenges for residents and businesses?
The debate over Ecoreno’v delays highlights the complexities of implementing large-scale environmental initiatives, particularly when bureaucratic hurdles impede progress. The criticisms of rent control, on the other hand, underscore the delicate balance between protecting tenants and ensuring a viable, well-maintained housing supply. As the metropolitan elections draw closer, these issues will undoubtedly remain central to the political discourse, shaping the future of housing and urban planning in Lyon.
The outcome of this tug-of-war will not only determine the effectiveness of current policies but also set a precedent for how French cities navigate the intricate intersection of environmental sustainability, economic viability, and social justice in their urban development strategies.
Source: http://www.info-economique.com/actualite/etat-organismes-publics/renovation-des-coproprietes-et-encadrement-des-loyers-lunis-et-la
