“Certain studies have no other choice but to consider layoffs,” warns the Superior Council of Notaries

“Notaries are not in an ivory tower and do not live in a silver tower, sheltered from the ups and downs of the economy,” argues the Council spokesperson.

“Some studies have no choice but to consider layoffs” due to the drop in real estate transactions, announced Monday December 11 on franceinfo Édouard Grimond, spokesperson for the Superior Council of Notaries. The number of real estate transactions fell by 18% between September 2022 and September 2023.

“Studies experienced a decline in their results and some had difficulties which increased over time, particularly urban studies,” specified Édouard Grimond, particularly in Paris or in the large metropolises, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nantes, Lille. The consequences on the job market are real. the Superior Council of Notaries noted “a hiring freeze” for several months, but also a “non-renewal of certain contracts”. “We are starting to hear about layoffs all over the country,” relates Édouard Grimond.

No room for new colleagues

Studies in urban areas are the most affected by the very sharp drop in real estate activity and promotion. The period is “unpublished” since it lasts “for almost over a year” And “we have no visibility on its release either”, he said. Édouard Grimond is not very optimistic: “Unfortunately, we fear that 2024 will also be a fairly difficult year in terms of volumes”, he stressed. Notarial offices must face a double crisis, the drop in transactions and the increase in charges. These last “do not decline when there is a crisis and unfortunately it becomes more and more difficult for a certain number of colleagues”he explained. “Notaries are not in an ivory tower and do not live in a silver tower, sheltered from the ups and downs of the economy”he clarified.

The Competition Authority estimates that 600 more notaries are needed in France by 2026, in addition to the 17,500 already installed. ‘Wanting to add young colleagues in this rather complicated economic period seems difficult’estimated the spokesperson for the Superior Council of Notaries.