A French commune is offering would-be homebuyers a grant of up to €5,000 to move to the area.
The grant has been set up by authorities in Nogent in east France to entice people to come and populate the area, as well as reduce the number of vacant properties there.
The scheme was launched in 2014, and over 300 successful applicants have received grants to help purchase properties there.
The aid is not means-tested and anyone can apply to receive it. However to benefit from the grant, which is 10% of the purchase price up to a maximum of €5,000) potential purchasers must fulfil certain criteria, which includes:
The property being worth at least €20,000
If the property is currently unlivable, promising to make it habitable within the first two years
The property must be at least 50 years old (as shown by local tax records), and has to be a house or detached building, not a flat
Those who purchase the properties and benefit from a grant must live – or rent out the property – for seven straight years before selling it. If not they must pay a portion of it back to themairie (based on how long they owned the property before putting it up for sale).
This also applies if the property is converted into a second home, or used primarily for commercial purposes.
One property on sale which currently falls under the scheme is a €50,000 home, listed on Le Figaro.
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The 88 m² home, close to the city centre, has two bedrooms, as well as an attic, and is said to be habitable without the need for major renovations.
You can see photos of the property below, and there is a full link to the listing here.
To note - the property is rated a G – the lowest possible level – on the Diagnostic de performance énergétique (Energy efficiency of a property, or DPE).
Estate agents can help with the application process, or for more details you can reach out directly to the Nogent town hall.
