Mandatory Real Estate Inspections for a Sale: What’s Changing in 2023

When you plan to sell a property, you must first have several mandatory property inspections performed. Your real estate agency in Albi, L’Agencerie, explains the new regulatory requirements you need to be aware of in this regard for 2023.

Mandatory Property Inspections for a Sale: What Are They?

As the owner of a property for sale, you are required to provide the buyer with a technical inspection report (DDT), which must be attached to the deed of sale. The mandatory inspections include:

• The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC): This must be conducted by a professional. It assesses a home’s energy consumption and its level of greenhouse gas emissions;
• the condition of electrical and gas systems: This is required for any system that is more than 15 years old. These inspections assess the risks associated with these systems to ensure the safety of the property and its occupants;
• the Risk and Pollution Report (ERP): provides information on the natural, seismic, technological, or other risks to which the property is exposed;
• Asbestos inspections are conducted by a certified professional. If asbestos is found in a building, action must be taken promptly;
• Termite inspection: This inspection must be conducted throughout the entire building. In the case of an apartment, all private areas of the building must be inspected;
• the condition of the on-site wastewater treatment system;
• A noise assessment provides the buyer with information about the aircraft noise to which the property is exposed;
• The Lead Exposure Risk Assessment (CREP) (applies only to properties built before 1949). Its purpose is to detect the presence of lead in building materials, such as bricks, paint, or plaster.

In certain geographic areas, you must also submit information regarding the risk of dry rot to the DDT.

The energy performance report is valid for 10 years. The inspection report on electrical and gas systems is valid for 3 years. The same applies to the inspection report on on-site sewage systems. The termite inspection and the report on risks and pollution are valid for 6 months.

What’s changing in 2023?

The main changes regarding mandatory inspections for property sales primarily concern the energy performance certificate (EPC).

Since the beginning of 2023, energy performance labels must indicate the final energy consumption of a dwelling. The old labels only provided information on the dwelling’s primary energy consumption and its greenhouse gas emissions. Primary energy refers to the energy available before conversion, storage, and distribution. Final energy, on the other hand, refers to the amount of energy billed to the home’s occupants.

It should be noted that the new Climate and Resilience Act thus prohibits the rental of housing units with an annual energy consumption exceeding 450 kwhEF/m2. However, this legislation applies only to leases entered into since the beginning of the year. These properties are considered energy-inefficient. Before they can be listed for sale, these properties must undergo a mandatory energy audit. This requirement applies to all homes rated F and G as of April 1, 2023, and to homes rated E on the Energy Performance Certificate (DPE) starting in January 2025. Homes with a D rating will not be subject to a mandatory pre-sale energy audit until 2034.

Another major change starting in 2023: the ERP must now be included in real estate listings. The seller must provide it during the first showing. For municipalities located on the Atlantic coast or in the DROM-COM regions, it is now required to mention the risk associated with coastal erosion in the DDT. Starting in 2023, condominium complexes with more than 200 units are required to propose a multi-year renovation plan (PPT). This applies to any building over 15 years old.

Gas inspections are also undergoing some changes. The new NF P 45-500 standard requires the addition of 14 inspection points to the 200 points in the previous checklist.

How Can You Ensure Successful Real Estate Inspections in 2023?

With all these changes—some of which have already taken effect—it can be difficult to navigate the process. Don’t hesitate to seek assistance from real estate professionals, such as L’Agencerie and its team, to help you with your sale. The property’s overall condition is, in fact, a key factor for buyers. Your real estate agency can advise you on the required inspections and the administrative procedures involved in the sale to ensure its success.

A qualified real estate agency will also make sure to find you a serious buyer as quickly as possible.

L’Agencerie –