«The co-owners preferred to sell rather than renovate. Out of 40 co-owners, about 7 sold», regrets Sophie, president of the union council of a building located in Tignes, a ski resort. His building was not insulated in the walls and roof and was heated with oil. When Sophie wanted to undertake energy renovation work on her co-property, she was faced with numerous problems obstacles and almost gave up several times. “You find yourself a little alone when you embark on an undertaking like this.“, he confides. The number of energy redevelopment interventions carried out in condominium buildings is relatively low. According to Primes energies.fr, it represents only 1% of the dossiers submitted to the Anah (National Housing Agency), within the Ma Prime Rénov system.
Ten years of struggle
«It took two to three years to get approval from the other co-owners. The moment you try to make things happen, people think you’re going to screw them.. They objected to the fact that co-ownership didn’t need it“, he complains. One of the co-owners was particularly resistant to the renovation. He did not want to pay for the work and did not allow the artisans access to his accommodation. Sophie and the other co-owners went so far as to take the matter to court and won.
Neighborhood relations have deteriorated. “I received some not very pleasant messages. If I did this job it was to make money. Even from people who knew me well, who I had hosted and taken skiing. There was constant suspicion. Sometimes I was afraid to enter the room for certain reasons» Sophie recalls, bitterly. The 40-year-old then rubbed off the cast. She was still supported in her approach by some members of the union council. Tenacious, she never gave up. “The instrument of co-ownership is a very rigid instrument in France today, which leaves a lot of room for a few to complain, while the majority of people want to move forward. There are approximately 1/3 drivers, 1/3 followers and 1/3 complainers» saddens the forty-year-old. And surprisingly, according to Sophie, it is not the co-owners with the most financial difficulties who vote against the work.
In addition to the stormy general meetings of the co-owners where Sophie was the subject of multiple invectives, the forty-year-old had to face many other problems: they were planted by the craftsman who was renovating the facade of the building, the scaffolding had to be reassembled three times, being able to carry out works only from May to December
Overall it took Sophie 10 years to get a co-ownership as good as new
As a result, the real estate sector has had a huge boom in residential areas. 10 years ago the goods were estimated at 5,000 euros per metre, today they are estimated at 10,000 euros. Certainly property prices have increased significantly, but the impact of the renovation is significant. Buyers tell themselves that they are calm, that they are buying in a building where everything is done
Almost no financial assistance
Christophe had less difficulty gaining support from the other co-owners. The owner of a studio apartment that he rents in the center of Lille, he pushed the cursor very far because in addition to changing the windows, the roof, the heating system and the insulation of the walls, it was also necessary to install photovoltaic panels. “The European metropolis of Lille, through its help in managing the Amelio project, has made it known that it will not pay no help from the public community and the State, despite the strong desire of the co-owners to commit, separately energy saving certificates, EEC . Subsidy: 0 euros from the metropolis” regrets the sixty-year-old.
For Christophe, communities want visible operations and his co-ownership is not fragile enough. Plus, his 14-lot condominium is small, and the retiree thinks larger, more fragile condominiums receive more help. As a result, the 2023 General Assembly led to a radical decision: only a single workstation will be affected, the collective replacement of the joinery. The windows are 45 years old, so changing the fixtures will already bring energy savings. So goodbye to photovoltaic panels and wall insulation and boiler replacement. For windows, the aid in the EEC would represent around 4% of the price, or 4000 euros for co-ownership. “For my studio with a window budget of 4,500 euros including taxes we are around 180 euros from the EEC”, calculates the sixty-year-old.
“Small houses are penalized. My 18m2 studio apartment has 8m2 of additional glass. I don’t have enough living space compared to the glass surface”, explains. Christophe, for his part, renovated the apartment he purchased in 2018. He installed a heated floor and transformed the accommodation from label F to label E”.Deadlines are approaching. In 2034 I won’t be able to rent it anymore if I don’t do anything. Changing windows should solve the problem“, he declares confidently.
Christophe also owns a garage in another co-ownership of 37 apartments since 2011. “The new president of the union council turned on the council against the decision taken by the general meeting of co-ownership the year before and obtained the withdrawal of the project and the change of the trustee. The planned global restructuring never took place” alarms the pensioner. Regrets having wasted 4 years, especially the time to change trustee. The general meeting scheduled for the beginning of the summer did not take place and was postponed for several months. The oil boiler has been the same for 10 years and nothing is progressing. It’s the status quo.
Time.news Interview: Energy Renovation Challenges in Condominiums
Setting: A cozy office adorned with ski resort memorabilia, reflecting the charm of Tignes where Sophie resides. The Time.news editor, Alex, sits down with Sophie, the president of a union council of a condominium, to discuss her experiences and the state of energy renovations in shared properties.
Alex: Thank you for joining us today, Sophie. Your journey with the energy renovation of your condominium in Tignes is truly remarkable. Can you start by sharing what motivated you to pursue this renovation despite the challenges?
Sophie: Thank you for having me, Alex. The motivation came from a strong desire to improve the living conditions in our building. It was uninsulated, heated with oil, and frankly, the energy inefficiency was alarming. I wanted to make our home sustainable and ultimately more valuable.
Alex: You faced significant resistance from some co-owners. What were the main objections you encountered, and how did they impact your efforts?
Sophie: Oh, the objections were numerous! Some co-owners thought the renovations weren’t necessary, while others were worried about the costs involved. One individual, in particular, was very resistant. He wouldn’t allow access to his unit for the work, which was incredibly frustrating. I felt isolated during those moments—it often felt like I was fighting a battle alone.
Alex: That isolation must have been tough. You mentioned taking legal action against that individual. How did that affect your relationships within the community?
Sophie: It certainly strained things, to say the least. I received some unpleasant messages and faced suspicion from people I considered friends. It was disheartening to be seen as someone trying to ‘screw’ the others when, in fact, I just wanted the best for our building. Neighborhood dynamics shifted, and that was a painful part of the process.
Alex: After ten years of effort, it sounds like you finally achieved your goal. What changes have you seen in the property’s value and how have potential buyers responded?
Sophie: Yes, it took nearly a decade, but we finally renovated the building. The real estate market has boomed since then! Ten years ago, properties were valued around 5,000 euros per square meter; now, it’s about 10,000 euros. Buyers feel reassured knowing they are investing in a newly renovated, energy-efficient building. The difference is palpable.
Alex: It sounds like a significant achievement. However, you also mentioned the lack of financial assistance for such projects. Can you tell us more about this?
Sophie: Absolutely. While my project faced hurdles, I learned that many co-owners, like Christophe in Lille, struggle with a lack of public funding as well. Despite high interest in renovations, communities aren’t offering support, especially for smaller condominiums which often feel neglected during funding distributions. This lack of assistance is a massive hurdle that needs to be addressed if we want more successful renovations.
Alex: In your experience, what could be done to improve the support for energy renovations in condominiums?
Sophie: First and foremost, there needs to be more accessible funding opportunities for small and mid-sized projects. Community leaders must recognize the potential benefits of these renovations—not just for the property values but for the environment and energy savings too. Additionally, fostering better communication and understanding among co-owners can help mitigate resistance. Many want to go green but often don’t know how.
Alex: It’s clear that your journey has taught you many lessons. What advice would you give to others considering similar renovation projects in their condominium?
Sophie: I would say: be persistent and surround yourself with a supportive team of co-owners who are willing to advocate for positive change. Understand that resistance is normal, but focus on the end goals—sustainability, comfort, and financial value. And remember, it’s important to keep the lines of communication open during the entire process.
Alex: Thank you for your insightful thoughts, Sophie. Your determination is truly inspiring, and I hope your story encourages others facing similar challenges to keep pushing forward.
Sophie: Thank you, Alex. It’s been great to share my experiences, and my hope is that more people recognize the importance of energy renovations despite the challenges.
As the interview comes to a close, both Sophie and Alex share a smile, understanding the significance of pushing for change in their communities despite the odds.