Ma prime rénov' for all: scheme extended in 2021

The “Ma prime rénov’” scheme now encompasses all government grants for energy-efficient home improvements. It seems necessary to clarify this because a BPCE study (on page 19) reveals that only 32% of homeowners have heard of it and 13% are considering benefiting from it. Let us take stock of the rollout of this aid, which becomes truly accessible in 2021.

A late rollout

First, let us specify that Ma prime rénov’ has existed for a year but was only accessible in 2020 to the most modest households. The aim is to make the scheme accessible even to more affluent households in order to encourage energy-efficient improvements to an increasing number of properties. It is now extended to owner-occupiers and landlords.

Announced for 1st January, the full rollout was delayed and has only been effective since the 11th of this month for owner-occupiers. Landlords, however, will surprisingly only be able to benefit from it from July 2021. This is likely to penalise those who carried out work at the end of the year expecting aid from the first quarter. The aid was announced as retroactive for quotes dated from 1st October 2020, and it remains to be seen whether landlords will also benefit from this measure.

Benefiting from the Ma prime rénov’ scheme

Certain criteria define the extent of the aid provided. Here is the key information to know so as not to embark on a pointless process.

Income conditions

The first condition is not exceeding certain income thresholds, with levels defined by colour codes. Note also that amounts vary depending on whether the household lives in Ile-de-France or elsewhere in France.

Thus, for a 2-person household living in Ile-de-France, the scale is as follows:

• Very modest household (blue code): under €30,225 annual income
• Modest household (yellow): up to €36,792
• Intermediate income household (purple): up to €56,130
• Higher income household: over €56,130

In the provinces, these limits are reduced by €10,000 for modest households and by €14,000 for the most affluent.

Work concerned

This must necessarily improve the energy performance of the property and falls into 2 main categories:

• Insulation: roof replacement, wall insulation, and window replacement fall into this category.
• Heating equipment: considering the installation of a solar or thermodynamic hot water system, removal of an oil tank, acquisition of a heat pump or a wood burner, for example.

Other actions such as installing an electric car charging point or carrying out an energy audit may also form the subject of an application.

Please note, all renovation work must improve the existing situation to qualify for this aid. Replacing double-glazed windows with other windows of the same type will not enable you to benefit.

Making your application

Let us turn to the steps to take to set in motion this scheme managed by the national housing agency (Anah). The government has made available an online simulator which can estimate the amount of aid to which the planned work would entitle you. The result is not contractually binding, but the file number assigned will serve to contact the relevant authorities to finalise the application. Because following the simulation, a contact is given in order to obtain further information if needed.

The application can be pursued online with Anah’s services. To do so, the government has set up a dedicated website on which you will also find all useful information about the scheme.

Following confirmation that the file is complete, a processing time of 2 to 3 weeks is generally observed to obtain a final response. However, with the recent extension of the scheme to all households, an extension of this timeframe may be observed.

The government here demonstrates its willingness to promote a positive change in the ecological quality of French housing. For households hesitant to carry out work that is nonetheless useful for the energy efficiency of their property, the boost provided by Ma prime rénov’ may prove to be a financial incentive. Or perhaps help to finalise, possibly, a decision to acquire a new property requiring work. The number of applications submitted this year will confirm (or otherwise) the effectiveness of the measure.

You should also read: Heating: new information to provide for landlord owners