The RSA paid to a homeowner does not follow a different scale than that applied to tenants. The difference lies in a specific mechanism: the CAF deducts a housing allowance from the flat-rate amount as long as the homeowner occupies their primary residence without an ongoing mortgage. Understanding this calculation allows for anticipating the actual amount received based on the household composition.
Housing allowance and mortgage: the criterion that the CAF checks first
The status of homeowner does not block access to the RSA. The CAF examines one specific point: is the mortgage paid off or not?
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As long as a homeowner is repaying monthly mortgage payments for their primary residence, the CAF considers that they bear a housing cost comparable to that of a tenant. The housing allowance is therefore not systematically applied in the same way.
However, as soon as the mortgage is fully paid off, the CAF assumes that the homeowner is living rent-free. It then automatically applies the housing allowance as a deduction from the RSA, just as it would for a person living rent-free. This allowance, defined by Article R262-9 of the Social Action and Families Code, varies according to the size of the household.
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To determine the RSA amount for a homeowner, it is necessary to subtract this housing allowance from the flat-rate amount corresponding to the family composition, and then deduct any household resources.
RSA amount and housing allowance in 2024: comparative table by household composition
The flat-rate amount of the RSA in 2024 serves as the basis for the calculation. The housing allowance reduces this base for homeowners without a mortgage. Here are the key figures according to household composition.
| Household Composition | Flat-rate RSA Amount (monthly base) | Housing Allowance Deducted | Maximum RSA Paid to Homeowner (without other resources) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single person | 635.71 euros | 76.29 euros | 559.42 euros |
| Couple without children | 953.56 euros | 152.57 euros | 800.99 euros |
| Single person with 1 child | 953.56 euros | 152.57 euros | 800.99 euros |
| Couple with 1 child | 1,144.27 euros | 188.90 euros | 955.37 euros |
| Single person with 2 children | 1,144.27 euros | 188.90 euros | 955.37 euros |
| Couple with 2 children | 1,334.99 euros | 188.90 euros | 1,146.09 euros |
These amounts apply in the absence of any other declared resources. Every euro of income (including rental income) reduces the RSA paid by that amount.
Rental income and non-rented properties: what the CAF includes in the resource calculation
Owning a primary residence is not the only element scrutinized. If the homeowner owns other properties, the CAF takes their income into account in the RSA calculation, according to two scenarios.
- The rental income received for a rented property is included in the household resources. The CAF retains the net amount declared for tax purposes, after deducting expenses.
- For a non-rented property (secondary residence, land, vacant housing), the CAF may apply a cadastral rental value that adds to the resources, even if the homeowner does not receive any actual rent.
- Capital gains realized upon sale are also reportable and may affect the right to RSA for the reference quarter.
A homeowner who has a rental property generating a few hundred euros per month will see their RSA decrease accordingly, or even disappear if the combined income exceeds the flat-rate amount after deducting the housing allowance.
Homeowner RSA and APL: why the two aids do not accumulate in the same way
A homeowner who has paid off their mortgage generally does not receive APL, as this aid is linked to the repayment of a loan for the primary residence or the payment of rent. The CAF then applies the housing allowance in the context of the RSA.
If the homeowner is still repaying a mortgage and receiving APL for homeownership, the housing allowance is also deducted from the RSA. The receipt of housing assistance (APL, ALS, or ALF) automatically triggers this deduction, regardless of the occupancy status.
The most common situation remains that of a homeowner without a mortgage, without APL, from whom the CAF deducts the housing allowance from the RSA. The amount actually paid is therefore always lower than the flat-rate amount displayed in the general scales.
Simulating your homeowner RSA: the data to prepare
The CAF offers an online simulator on its website. To obtain a reliable estimate, several elements must be provided:
- The exact household composition (number of adults, number and age of dependent children)
- The occupancy status of the housing (homeowner with or without an ongoing mortgage)
- All resources from the last three months: salaries, rental income, pensions, benefits received
- Any housing assistance already paid by the CAF
The quarterly declaration of resources conditions the continuation of payments. Any omission of rental income may lead to an overpayment that the CAF will claim back with penalties.
The RSA for a homeowner in 2024 boils down to one operation: flat-rate amount minus housing allowance minus household resources. For a single person without other income and without a mortgage, the amount actually received is around 559 euros per month, compared to 635 euros for the base scale. This difference of over 75 euros per month justifies checking one’s situation before any application.