Mandatory diagnostic report
When selling a property in France, the required technical inspections are grouped into a single file known as the Dossier de Diagnostic Technique (DDT). This file must be provided with the preliminary sale agreement or, if there is none, with the final deed of sale.
If you are selling: You must provide the reports applicable to your property, depending on its age, equipment, location and legal status. These documents help inform buyers and secure the transaction.
If you are buying: The reports provide essential information about the property's condition, energy performance, installations and potential risks, helping you make an informed purchasing decision.
ENERGY PERFORMANCE DIAGNOSIS (DPE)
Validity: 10 years, subject to applicable regulations
The French Energy Performance Diagnostic (DPE) assesses a property's energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. It assigns an energy rating from A, the most efficient, to G, the least efficient.
A DPE is mandatory for the sale of most residential properties in France, with certain regulatory exemptions. The energy rating must also appear in relevant property advertisements.
DPE reports issued before 1 July 2021 are no longer valid. Following significant insulation or heating improvements, a new assessment may help reflect the property's updated energy performance.
Good to know: the energy rating can influence buyer interest and future renovation plans.
SURFACE LAYOUT diagnosis
Validity: Unlimited, unless the qualifying floor area changes*
The French Carrez Law requires the private floor area of qualifying condominium units to be stated when they are sold.
This requirement applies to many apartments in co-owned buildings. Carrez floor area is not necessarily the same as standard living area.
Cellars, garages and parking spaces are generally excluded, along with certain other areas specified by law.
The measurement remains valid unless alterations change the qualifying floor area.
Good to know: an accurate measurement helps buyers understand the property and reduces the risk of disputes during the sale.
This requirement applies to many apartments in co-owned buildings. Carrez floor area is not necessarily the same as standard living area.
Cellars, garages and parking spaces are generally excluded, along with certain other areas specified by law.
The measurement remains valid unless alterations change the qualifying floor area.
Good to know: an accurate measurement helps buyers understand the property and reduces the risk of disputes during the sale.
ASBESTOS diagnosis
Validity: Depends on the inspection date and findings
An asbestos inspection is required for buildings whose construction permit was issued before 1 July 1997.
The report identifies certain materials that may contain asbestos, a substance that can pose health risks when its fibres are inhaled.
The report's validity depends on when it was completed and its findings. Older reports may need to be renewed, while some identified materials may require monitoring or further action.
Good to know: the presence of asbestos does not automatically prevent a property sale, but the buyer must receive the relevant information.
The report identifies certain materials that may contain asbestos, a substance that can pose health risks when its fibres are inhaled.
The report's validity depends on when it was completed and its findings. Older reports may need to be renewed, while some identified materials may require monitoring or further action.
Good to know: the presence of asbestos does not automatically prevent a property sale, but the buyer must receive the relevant information.
ELECTRIC diagnosis
Document validity period: 3 years
An electrical inspection is required when selling a residential property whose internal electrical installation is more than 15 years old.
The inspection identifies potential safety hazards involving protective devices, electrical equipment and parts of the installation.
It provides information about the installation's condition but does not certify full compliance with current electrical standards.
Good to know: identified electrical defects do not automatically prevent a sale. They help buyers anticipate potential safety improvements.
The inspection identifies potential safety hazards involving protective devices, electrical equipment and parts of the installation.
It provides information about the installation's condition but does not certify full compliance with current electrical standards.
Good to know: identified electrical defects do not automatically prevent a sale. They help buyers anticipate potential safety improvements.
RISK AND POLLUTION STATE DIAGNOSIS (ERP)
Document validity period: 6 months
The French Property Risk Report (État des Risques, or ERP) informs buyers about officially identified hazards affecting a property according to its location.
Depending on the address, these may include flooding, forest fires, ground movement, seismic risks, mining or industrial hazards, radon, coastal erosion and mandatory vegetation clearance requirements.
In Théoule-sur-Mer, Mandelieu-la-Napoule, Cannes and the Alpes-Maritimes, the applicable risks depend on the property's exact location and local regulations.
The ERP must be less than six months old and updated if the relevant information changes before the sale is signed.
Good to know: where a property risk report is required, it must be provided at the first viewing, if one takes place, and included in the relevant sale documents.
Depending on the address, these may include flooding, forest fires, ground movement, seismic risks, mining or industrial hazards, radon, coastal erosion and mandatory vegetation clearance requirements.
In Théoule-sur-Mer, Mandelieu-la-Napoule, Cannes and the Alpes-Maritimes, the applicable risks depend on the property's exact location and local regulations.
The ERP must be less than six months old and updated if the relevant information changes before the sale is signed.
Good to know: where a property risk report is required, it must be provided at the first viewing, if one takes place, and included in the relevant sale documents.
TERMITES diagnosis
Document validity period: 6 months
A termite inspection is mandatory when selling a property located in an area designated by a prefectural order.
The inspection looks for signs of termites, insects that can damage timber and certain structural elements of a building.
The requirement depends on the property's exact location. Where mandatory, the inspection must be carried out by a certified professional.
Good to know: before selling a villa, house or apartment on the French Riviera, check whether the property is located in a designated termite risk area.
The inspection looks for signs of termites, insects that can damage timber and certain structural elements of a building.
The requirement depends on the property's exact location. Where mandatory, the inspection must be carried out by a certified professional.
Good to know: before selling a villa, house or apartment on the French Riviera, check whether the property is located in a designated termite risk area.
GAS DIAGNOSIS
Period of validity of the document: 3 years
A gas installation inspection is mandatory when selling a residential property whose internal gas installation is more than 15 years old.
It identifies potential hazards that could affect the safety of occupants.
The inspection covers fixed gas appliances, pipework and ventilation conditions.
The report informs buyers about the installation's condition at the time of the inspection.
Good to know: if defects are identified, the report helps buyers understand which safety improvements may be necessary.
It identifies potential hazards that could affect the safety of occupants.
The inspection covers fixed gas appliances, pipework and ventilation conditions.
The report informs buyers about the installation's condition at the time of the inspection.
Good to know: if defects are identified, the report helps buyers understand which safety improvements may be necessary.
LEAD diagnosis
Validity: Unlimited below the regulatory threshold; otherwise 1 year for a sale
The French Lead Exposure Risk Report (CREP) is mandatory when selling residential properties built before 1 January 1949.
It checks for lead in surface coatings, particularly older paint, to identify potential health risks.
When measured concentrations are below the regulatory threshold, the report may be reused without a time limit.
If lead is found at or above the regulatory threshold, the report must be less than one year old for the sale.
Good to know: this inspection mainly concerns older properties and helps buyers understand potential risks associated with historic building materials.
It checks for lead in surface coatings, particularly older paint, to identify potential health risks.
When measured concentrations are below the regulatory threshold, the report may be reused without a time limit.
If lead is found at or above the regulatory threshold, the report must be less than one year old for the sale.
Good to know: this inspection mainly concerns older properties and helps buyers understand potential risks associated with historic building materials.
The MERULE diagnosis (not for PACA region)
Requirement: Disclosure in areas designated by prefectural order
Dry rot, known in France as mérule, is a fungus that can develop in damp buildings and cause significant damage, particularly to timber.
When a property is located in an area officially designated by a prefectural order, the seller must provide information about the risk.
A specific dry rot inspection is not automatically mandatory for every property sale.
Good to know: disclosure requirements depend on the property's location. The applicable prefectural orders should be checked before the sale.
When a property is located in an area officially designated by a prefectural order, the seller must provide information about the risk.
A specific dry rot inspection is not automatically mandatory for every property sale.
Good to know: disclosure requirements depend on the property's location. The applicable prefectural orders should be checked before the sale.
The PEB diagnosis
Document validity period: renew with each transaction
The French Aircraft Noise Exposure Report (ENSA) informs buyers when a property is located within an official airport noise exposure zone, defined by a Plan d'Exposition au Bruit (PEB).
It identifies the property's position in relation to the relevant aircraft noise exposure area.
The report is required for property transactions covered by these regulations.
Good to know: proximity to an airport does not automatically determine whether the report is mandatory. The property's location within an official PEB must be checked.
It identifies the property's position in relation to the relevant aircraft noise exposure area.
The report is required for property transactions covered by these regulations.
Good to know: proximity to an airport does not automatically determine whether the report is mandatory. The property's location within an official PEB must be checked.