While the French real estate market is in good health, the top financial stability council recommends tightening access to credit. A measure that does not really understand Maëlle Bernier, communications director and spokesperson for MeilleurTaux.com. She considers this turn of the screw "surprising" and says that it will complicate access to credit for part of the population. 

With rates still historically low, the French are borrowing more and more.

But beware, the conditions of access to mortgage will tighten this summer.

In any case, this is the recommendation of the High Council for Financial Stability.

While since the start of the year access to credit is already more restrictive, banks cannot exceed 35% of the debt ratio, insurance included, on loans of 25 years maximum (27 years in new buildings) .

But today this is a recommendation which would therefore become mandatory.

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Avoid over-indebtedness and unpaid credit defaults

A change that feeds two objectives: to protect households from the spiral of over-indebtedness, but also to prevent banks from finding themselves facing a wall of unpaid credits. And if some fear that this obligation will close the doors of access to credit, in reality the figures show that we are currently breaking records. So is this turn of the screw useful? Not necessarily to believe Maëlle Bernier, director of communication and spokesperson for MeilleurTaux.com, who points to the microphone of Europe 1 "that we must always leave room for maneuver to banking institutions which, let us remember, do not do not do anything ".

Especially since the banks "are already doubly cautious" about the financial health of borrowers, adds the director.

Between income, charges, remains to be lived, type of contract, sector of activity ... there is no lack of parameters scrutinized by banks before granting credit.

With a rate of "credit default of less than 1%", France has "an extremely secure system for both the borrower and the bank, since we have on the one hand a borrower insurance which protects against death, disability, inability to work and on the other, a guarantee which, in the event of default by the borrower, protects the bank. " 

A "surprising" turn of the screw

In this context, tightening the screw on mortgage loans therefore appears to Maëlle Bernier as "surprising". Not to mention that these new rules will complicate access to credit for the poorest, points out the specialist. "Second home buyers in very good health with a savings mattress will always be able to buy, borrow. For others, it will obviously always be a little more complicated." But that's not all. According to the spokesperson, these new rules will curb the enthusiasm of small rental investors. "If we also slow down these small investors, we will reduce the rental supply while on the other hand, we prevent home ownership. You can see the pressure on the rental supply ..."

Despite these new rules, banks have the right to cross the red line on 20% of cases. A flexibility which should remain authorized.