The winter truce is a subject where many human and economic principles clash, and according to a recent survey, the first aspect seems to take precedence in the minds of the French.
The winter truce began on 1 November 2014 and will end on 31 March 2015. During this period, the law stipulates that tenants cannot be evicted from their homes. This rule applies to both furnished and unfurnished tenancies.
The winter truce is favourably received by the French
According to a Harris Interactive survey carried out for the property advertising website A Vendre A Louer, the majority of French people questioned believe that the winter truce is humane and essential, although costly.
However, this result needs to be qualified, as quite logically the responses differ according to the position of the respondent;
For example, 90% of low-income households approve of the winter truce, which they feel is an essential measure. The same proportion of more affluent households felt that the measure was too costly.
Similarly, while around 50% of well-off households consider the system to be abusive, only 22% of low-income households are in favour. The winter truce is favourably received by 70% of homeowners and 75% of tenants.
More than half of those surveyed consider that landlords do not have effective means of combating rent default by tenants. By the same token, 78% of households surveyed believe that the complexity of eviction procedures can encourage people not to rent vacant accommodation.
The study also shows that 12% of those surveyed are or have been faced, directly or indirectly, with an eviction situation. This rate rises to 25% among low-income households.
Duration of the winter truce
Under the ALUR law, the winter truce lasts for 5 months, from 1 November to 31 March.
According to a survey carried out for the A Vendre A Louer website, 77% of those polled do not consider this to be too long. In fact, 60% consider the period to be appropriate, and 17% would be in favour of extending it.
The winter truce requires certain conditions
In some cases, tenants cannot benefit from the winter break. The Code de la construction et de l'habitation (French Building and Housing Code) excludes the following from this protection:
- Tenants of a building that has been declared at risk;
- Occupants who have been rehoused in conditions that respect the unity and needs of their family.
It should be noted that during the winter truce and since the ALUR law, squatters can no longer be evicted, unless a judge decides otherwise.
In addition, gas and electricity supplies cannot be cut off during the winter break.
