Everything you need to know about energy audits for property owners
An energy audit must be carried out before houses or buildings classified as F or G in the energy performance diagnosis (DPE) are put on the market.
The new energy audit comes into force. Who is concerned? What is an energy audit? Is an energy audit mandatory? Under what circumstances is it considered? What does it contain? Who carries out the audit? What is its purpose? In this article we inform in detail the owners of real estate according to the new law of August 22, 2021 N°2021-1114
What is an energy audit?
It is an in-depth analysis of the energy performance of an individual building. It is a second diagnosis that must be established in addition to the energy performance diagnosis (DPE).
What is the objective of an energy audit?
To help owners and potential buyers of an energy-intensive individual property to plan the work to be done to improve the energy performance of the property.
In what circumstances is it considered?
The energy audit concerns individual properties or single-family homes.
The term "single property" refers to the situation where a group of buildings is not co-owned and belongs to a single person, natural or legal. Many condominiums are owned by low-income housing organizations, but others are owned by private corporations (such as insurance companies, banks, and pension funds), and still others are owned by individuals or families who own several buildings.
As of April 1, 2023, if your property has an energy performance diagnosis (DPE) in class F or G, an energy audit is mandatory and must be carried out. It will be transmitted to potential buyers at their first visit and must be attached to the sale agreement.
Next dates to remember concerning the evolution of energy classes:
The energy audit will have to be produced for all individual properties or in monoproperty classified E in "DPE" from January 1st, 2025.
It will be the same from January 1, 2034 for all individual properties or single-family homes classified D in the "DPE".
What does an energy audit contain?
The energy audit is presented in the form of a complete report that proposes to owners or future buyers at least two scenarios of work to be done to improve energy performance. Scenario 1: comprehensive renovation. Scenario 2: step-by-step renovation.
Who carries out this audit?
For individual properties (houses) the energy audit can be carried out by a certified diagnostician (attention: the “DPE” certification does not work for this audit. Not all diagnosticians are qualified to carry out this audit). For properties in single ownership, a more advanced certification is required. Only an architectural office or a specialized research center can establish this audit.
When should the energy audit be carried out?
At the end of the energy performance diagnosis (DPE), in case of F or G classification, it is essential to have an energy audit done. It must be done before any property is put up for sale. The audit must be properly integrated into the diagnostic procedure file.
And like the risk assessment, the energy audit must be given to all potential buyers when they first visit the property.
As of April 1, 2023, in the case of a real estate sale, the energy audit must be indexed at the signing of the sales agreement.
Attention: in case of unilateral promise of sale signed before April 1st, 2023, the energy audit will have to be provided for the deeds realized from April 1st, 2023!
In the case of preliminary sales agreements signed before April 1, 2023, the energy audit will not be required if the deeds are signed after April 1, 2023.
What is the validity of an energy audit?
The energy audit is valid for 5 years.
How much does it cost to carry out the audit?
The amount of the invoice will be charged to the owner of the property.
The price range is between € 1 000 € and € 1 500.
French government aid is available to help owners who wish to sell or renovate their properties.
Visit the France Rénov website to quickly find a professional and/or apply for financial aid.
The unique case of the "Virgin" DPE
An energy performance diagnosis (DPE) without a note is called DPE "Virgin". With the new energy performance diagnosis (DPE), created after the reform of June 1, 2021, the old “DPE” should no longer exist. An exception is made for properties that no longer have a heating system. The sale in VEFA (sale in state of future completion) as well as new houses bought on plans will not be eligible for the energy performance diagnosis (DPE).
As a reminder, the energy performance diagnosis (DPE) made from January 2018 are still valid and will be valid until December 31, 2024.
Conclusion:
The environment and the so-called "energy-intensive" housing, are at the center of our current events. Over the next few years, the sale or rental of real estate will be directed by the DPE and energy audits.
Our article on the DPE (diagnosis of energy performance) is available by clicking here.
Our real estate professionals are available to accompany you in your project!
Contact:
- Evian +33 (0) 4 50 75 15 15 / e-mail : evian@decordier-immobilier.com
- Thonon +33 (0) 4 50 72 31 95 / e-mail : thonon@decordier-immobilier.com
- Grand-Baie +230 268 2828 / e-mail : contact@decordier-immobilier.mu
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