Taxe D'Habitation

[Richard]

We have purchased  2 adjoining houses and knocked them through to form one house.

Although many years ago it was probably a single house, we recieve 2 taxe d'habitation charges for the property, marked No.6 and No 6B.

If we advise the powers that be of the change, will our total bill be reduced, increased or no difference?

The actual floor area is the same, although the number of bedrooms has now increased from 3 to 5.

 

 

[Kitty]

Taxe d'habitation is calculated according to the notional rental value of your property.  This "valeur locative cadastrale" is reveiwed annually.  So if by joining the two properties, you have increased the rental value (for example, by increasing the number of bedrooms as you have done), your tax will increase.

By the way, you are obliged to report any physical changes to your property to the tax authorities.

[Richard]

Thanks for that - does the rental valuation thoery apply even if the property is not rented out?

[Richard]

Anither thought Cathy, do you know how it's calculated?

Is there, for example, a "base price"for a house, then add-ons for number of bedrooms etc?

[Pommier]

I'd imagine you might be better off if you tell the authorities. Surely you'd get more rent for two houses than you would for one house with a couple of extra bedrooms.

[Kitty]

The French authorities give all property a notional rental value, whether it is rented or owner occupied.

So, taking the example of two identical houses side by side:

House A is unimproved

House B has new windows and central heating

House B will have a higher value even though it has the same floor area as House A.

In your case, Richard, you have joined two houses together.   Without seeing the properties, it is difficult to ascertain whether the notional rental value has increased.  My hunch is that the value has probably increased because you have increased the number of bedrooms.