This Thursday, the government presented the measures of the Mais Habitação package, which
aims to combat the housing crisis.
Housing Minister Mariana Gonçalves explained that the first component of the housing package aims to stimulate new private projects with affordable rents with four areas of intervention such as “transfer of vacant public property”, “subsidized funding line, sustainability”, “predictability of income from these projects ‘ and ‘tax incentives’.
“The first task is to encourage new private affordable leasing projects with promoters as partners,” said Mariana Gonçalves, who also highlighted “the ability to instill confidence in the leasing market” and the role of cooperatives. The minister also mentioned a reduction in tax leasing, as well as “fast-tracking justice” in case of non-compliance.
Port 65
Mariana Gonçalves also announced the continuous operation of Porta 65 Jovem to ensure that applications are fulfilled without interruption. The Minister also announced that Porta 65+ will be created to respond to “situations of falling revenues.”
The government will also take steps to protect tenants with older contracts, Mariana Gonçalves said.
“Fair income” and changing tax incentives
The government mentions that in order to combat speculation, a “fair income” measure will be introduced and a change in the resale period from 3 to 1 year, i.e. reduction of tax incentives to encourage the re-entering of objects on the market).
The state will also charge for “urban IMI for village buildings” to encourage vacant buildings to be placed on the market.
New fees and benefits
Finance Minister Fernando Medina said there would be a “very significant reduction in the leasing tax” and announced that the overall rate would decrease as contracts lengthened.
Medina also clarified that landlords listing properties on the affordable rental market will be exempt from paying IMI and AIMI. Under the new measures, landlords who own property under the old lease regime are also exempt from paying the IRS and IMI.
End of golden visas
The Prime Minister announced the end of the “golden visas” and said that the country has issued 11,758 residence permits. “Nothing justifies having a special regime for golden visas,” António Costa said, also mentioning that “everyone will be treated according to the general law and without compromising legal certainty.”
New rate for local accommodation
Regarding local housing, António Costa highlighted the growth of the sector “year by year” and said that “this year alone, more than two thousand houses are no longer available for housing, as they have been allocated for this economic activity.” The prime minister said the activity has “a very big impact” and announced an additional contribution, with the sector’s rate cut from 35% to 25%.
António Costa also mentioned that local housing restrictions do not apply to regions and municipalities with low population density (marked in blue in the photo representing the country) and that this measure only applies to apartments.
forced lease
The prime minister stressed that the forced lease measure only applies to properties that have been classified as empty for two years. Municipalities will now review vacant properties that are part of their area of effect, and properties currently receiving this classification, only after two years will the owners be notified of the forced lease.
The state mobilizes empty real estate and land for housing
The Minister of Housing announced that the state, together with private companies and companies in which construction companies participate, will use vacant land and real estate that is part of its property to build new residential plots. They will provide public land or buildings under a Housing Development Contract (CDH) for the construction, conversion or restoration of a property designated for affordable rent.
Credit line up to 250 million euros
The Government has approved a new credit line for construction or renovation projects in the area of affordable housing with a maximum limit of €250 million and with the aim of contributing to the financial sustainability of private affordable rental projects. These projects will have revenue predictability, meaning that the revenue determined at the time of project validation, unless the parties so wish, can be changed due to future revisions of PAA medians.
Those who contribute to these projects will receive tax credits for affordable rentals. Namely, VAT rate of 6% for contract works for the construction or renovation of facilities primarily allocated to the Rental Support Program (at least 70% related to PAA), 3 years exemption from IMI after acquisition or rehabilitation if they are related to PAA . , which may apply for a further 5 years, IMT exemption when acquired or purchased for refurbishment or construction if subject to PAA after refurbishment or construction, AIMI exemption provided they are included in the PAA. Stamp duty exemption on residential lease agreements
real estate intended for affordable leasing.
Reduced rental taxes
An amendment will be made to lower the IRS rate for long-term rentals. The goal is to instill confidence in landlords and encourage renting.
Improving the justice system
A Leasing Service will be created, integrating the Rental Prohibition Service (SIMA) and the National Leasing Service (BNA), with the aim of simplifying its work and strengthening the guarantees of landlords and tenants, as well as creating an integrated access to information. system. The state guarantees the landlord the payment of unpaid rent in the course of legal proceedings.
The IMT exemption for purchases for resale increases from three to one year.
The goal is to make properties available for housing faster, without letting them sit empty for long periods of time. The IMT exemption on acquisition for resale now requires the property to be resold within 1 year instead of the current 3 years in order to use the property faster. In addition, interest is charged on tax that has been deferred for taxpayer reasons.
Financing of municipalities to carry out conservation works on private property
A line of funding will be created through Banco Português do Fomento, SA, allowing municipalities to exercise their powers whenever they
necessary forced labor.
The package of measures proposed by the government, estimated at 900 million euros, proposes to respond to the housing crisis in five areas: protecting families, increasing the supply of real estate used for residential purposes, simplifying licensing processes, increasing the number of houses on the rental market and combating speculation.
The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, has already criticized the program, saying that the government’s plan is “not feasible”.
Owners and workers of local housing this Thursday across the country are protesting against the government program.
Author: morning Post
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Tifany Hawkins, a professional journalist with years of experience in news reporting. I currently work for a prominent news website and write articles for 24NewsReporters as an author. My primary focus is on economy-related stories, though I am also experienced in several other areas of journalism.