Navigating the New Energy Audit Obligation: What Homeowners Need to Know
Paris, France – July 11, 2025 – The French government, through its Ministry of Economy and Finance, has released comprehensive guidance today on a significant new regulation impacting property owners: the mandatory energy audit for the sale of energy-intensive homes. The article, titled “Tout savoir sur l’audit énergétique” (Everything you need to know about the energy audit), published on economie.gouv.fr, aims to clarify the requirements, benefits, and process for homeowners looking to sell properties classified as “passoires thermiques” (energy-inefficient homes).
This new obligation, effective from the publication date, is a cornerstone of France’s ongoing commitment to improving energy efficiency in the housing sector and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It specifically targets properties with poor energy performance ratings, typically those falling into categories F and G of the Diagnostic de Performance Énergétique (DPE) – the Energy Performance Certificate.
What is the Energy Audit and Why is it Now Mandatory?
The energy audit is an in-depth assessment of a property’s energy consumption and performance. It goes beyond the standard DPE by providing a detailed diagnosis of the building’s insulation, heating, ventilation, and hot water systems. Crucially, it outlines a roadmap of recommended energy renovation works, including estimated costs and potential energy savings.
The mandatory nature of this audit for selling energy-intensive homes is designed to:
- Inform Potential Buyers: Empower buyers with clear, actionable information about the property’s energy situation, allowing them to make informed decisions and factor in the cost of potential renovations.
- Incentivize Renovations: Encourage sellers to undertake energy efficiency improvements before or during the sale process, thereby increasing the attractiveness and value of their property.
- Accelerate the Energy Transition: Contribute to the national goal of reducing the carbon footprint of the building sector by tackling the most energy-inefficient housing stock.
Who is Affected?
The obligation applies to private property owners who wish to sell a dwelling classified as F or G on its DPE. This includes individual houses and apartments, whether they are primary residences, secondary residences, or rental properties.
What Does the Energy Audit Entail?
The audit is conducted by a certified professional. It typically involves:
- A thorough site visit: The auditor will examine the building’s structure, materials, windows, doors, insulation levels, and heating and ventilation systems.
- Analysis of energy consumption data: Where available, past energy bills will be reviewed to understand current usage patterns.
- Identification of thermal bridges and air leaks: These are common areas where heat is lost.
- Detailed recommendations for renovation: The audit will propose a sequence of works, prioritizing measures that offer the best return on investment in terms of energy savings and comfort. This might include improved insulation (walls, roof, floor), replacement of windows and doors, upgrades to heating systems (e.g., heat pumps, biomass boilers), and ventilation improvements.
- Cost estimations and potential subsidies: The audit will provide an estimate of the cost for each recommended renovation measure and may also highlight available government financial aid and subsidies (such as MaPrimeRénov’) to help offset these costs.
Key Information for Sellers:
- When to provide the audit: The energy audit must be transmitted to the potential buyer before the signing of the preliminary sales agreement (compromis de vente).
- What happens if the audit isn’t provided? Failure to comply with this obligation could lead to legal repercussions for the seller.
- The cost of the audit: While the article doesn’t specify a fixed price, it acknowledges that the cost will vary depending on the property’s size and complexity. It is advisable to obtain quotes from several certified professionals.
- Benefits beyond legal obligation: While a legal requirement, the audit can also be a valuable tool for sellers to understand their property better and to potentially enhance its marketability and selling price by demonstrating a commitment to energy efficiency.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance emphasizes that this initiative is a significant step towards a more sustainable and energy-efficient future for French housing. Homeowners are encouraged to consult the full article on economie.gouv.fr for detailed information and to seek advice from qualified professionals to ensure a smooth and compliant sale process.
Tout savoir sur l’audit énergétique
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