Local French property taxes have risen by an average of 6.1% this year, the largest increase in over 10 years.

If you live within one of the larger towns or cities the average increase is 8%.

Only a few councils have decided not to impose an increase, notably Aix-en-Provence, Toulon and Reims. Nevertheless, even in these towns households will pay more simply because of the increase in the local rateable value of properties, related as they are to the index for inflation.

The national average combined level of the taxe d’habitation and the taxe foncière in 2009 is €1502. The rates are generally smaller in the rural communes that do not provide the range of services required in an urban area.

The large increases this year can be attributed to numerous factors, not least of which is the reduction in revenue the local councils are collecting in stamp duty from property sales. Income from stamp duty accounts for an important source of revenue for many councils, and property sales in France are down by around 30% on recent years.

Local councils also complain that the decentralisation of public services to them from central government has not been accompanied by the transfer of resources in equal measure.

Many of these services include the delivery of key social services and social security benefits, and with the economic crisis, demand for these services has risen.

Critics also consider that there are too many layers of local government in France, which substantially adds to the cost of local services. The present government have committed themselves to a slimming down of the whole edifice, but they are meeting substantial resistance, and there is a fear that there is too much voluntarism about the plan. Turkeys do not vote for Christmas!

Other commentators also consider that a larger increase this year was inevitable, following the local elections last year when the increases were kept to a minimum. This is a particularly tough time of year for French households, as not only do they receive the tax bills for their local rates, but their income tax bill is also payable, and those that receive investment and rental income also face payment of the social charges.

The taxe d’habitation bill must be paid by 15th October, and the taxe foncière by 16th November.

Local councils also receive business rates in the form of the taxe professionnelle, but this is due for reform, and there is concern that it will lead to a reduction in charges for local businesses that will need to be picked up by residents.