New Energy Performance Diagnosis (DPE)
After the update and entry into force of the new DPE in July 2021, the Ministry of Ecological Transition suspends its edition for housing built before 1975. This government decision was taken following anomalies in the labels assigned to most old homes. However, this suspension is not final. According to the ministry's press release, on Monday, October 4, the edition of the new DPE to the homes concerned must resume on November 1, 2021. The aim is in fact to correct anomalies in order to optimize the effectiveness of the new DPE.
But how could this new DPE be useful to you if you want to buy an apartment in Paris? Indeed, the DPE is an integral part of the documents necessary for the construction, sale and rental of real estate. It is therefore obvious that you are aware of all the details concerning him before concluding the purchase of an apartment.
Focus on the new DPE 2021
The Energy Performance Diagnosis or DPE is a document relating to the energy performance of a home. It mainly aims to promote ecological housing by reducing energy consumption and its greenhouse gas emissions. All homes that have not gone through this “energy strainer” are not authorized to be sold or rented. In particular, it was updated and came into force on 1 July 2021.
A diagnosis that can only be made by a confirmed professional
A certified professional diagnoser is the only one who can do the DPE. You will find it in a directory of certified diagnosers and on the website of the Ministry of Housing and Sustainable Housing. Failure to comply with this condition subjects the owner to a fine of €1500. During the diagnosis, the professional will focus on several parameters to note the energy performance of the building. This concerns in particular the characteristics of the property, its level of insulation as well as the heating system. Thanks to this assessment, the future tenant or purchaser of a home knows in advance the work and energy expenses that await him when acquiring it.
How long is the new DPE valid for?
The DPE is mandatory in France, as long as the purchaser plans to occupy it for more than 4 months per year. The owner must then attach it to the DDT or technical diagnosis file. Whether it is a sale or a rental, he must mention the energy label of the property on the ads. The validity period of the 2021 DPE is 10 years.
However, there have been some changes for DPEs made over the last 8 years. If it was completed between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2017, it is valid until December 31, 2022. The one that was completed between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2021, is valid until December 31, 2024. It is in fact a transitory device. The owner of a property that has been the subject of an old empty DPE must also comply with the new DPE as soon as possible.
The new DPE at a higher price
The new DPE requires a more thorough study of housing characteristics. If the cost was €60-120 before, the update leads to an increase. Currently, the seller or lessor owner must plan between €100 and €250 to carry out the DPE. This amount depends on the size and characteristics of the property to be diagnosed. It should be noted that the new DPE does not necessarily involve renovation work. On the other hand, the owner is encouraged to do so if his property does not reach energy class A or B. It is also wiser to assess their cost.
Highlighting the physical characteristics of the property
The calculation of the 2021 DPE is no longer based on the invoice, but on the physical characteristics of the property. Previously, the diagnoser was based on the energy consumption of the home via the last three invoices provided by the owner. This is no longer the case now, because the reform requires the 3 CL method or Calculation of Conventional Housing Consumption. More reliable, this method takes into account 5 uses including heating, domestic hot water, cooling, lighting and auxiliary devices. Other aspects of the property such as heating and insulation also come into consideration. This method should help to better identify anomalies such as heat losses and insulation quality. These physical characteristics of the property will also have a major influence on summer comfort, a detail that some buyers tend to overlook.
What the DPE should contain
The new version of the DPE contains a cover page where you will find the energy label, the climate label and the amount of theoretical annual expenses. This is the most important information that every owner should mention in the real estate ad. Other details are added, namely the estimated amount of energy bills, the state of heat losses and a detailed presentation of the state of the insulation and the ventilation system. You will also find an indication of the presence of an open fireplace. The document also informs you about the level of summer comfort, the work to be done in order to optimize the energy performance of the property and the cost that this could generate.
No mistakes are allowed
The DPE should not contain any errors. If this is the case, the purchaser has the right to sue the owner. The latter can, for his part, denounce the diagnoser. If the owner and the diagnoser deliberately do not transmit the DPE to the purchaser, or if the sale or rental advertisement contains false information, the latter can take legal action. He then has the right to ask for damages. It can even lead to a cancellation of the contract.
How can the new DPE influence the cost of the property?
Each home is evaluated on two factors including primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions. It gets an A grade if the annual primary energy consumption is less than 70 kWh/m² and the CO2/m² emission per year is less than 6 kg. It is the best grade the accommodation can have. It should be noted that the classification varies from A to G. Housing is called “thermal sieves” if it is rated F (energy consumption ≤ 331 to 420 kWh/m²/year and emission of 17 to 100 kg of CO2/m²/year) or G (energy consumption ≥ 421 kWh/m²/year and CO2 emission ≥ 101 kg CO2/m²/year) or G (energy consumption ≥ 421 kWh/m²/year and CO2 emission ≥ 101 kg CO2/m²/year).
When buying an apartment in Paris, don't just focus your attention on the price. Indeed, a property classified F and G is much cheaper compared to one with a better grade. On the other hand, you will have to invest in major thermal renovation work. The best thing is to aim for a home with low energy consumption, that is to say a home classified A, B or C. You will thus be saved from the cost of the work necessary to bring it up to thermal standards. It should be remembered that a class G home can no longer be rented as of the year 2025. For class F units, renting them out is no longer authorized in 2028.
A Paris apartment hunter to find the accommodation you need
Buying an apartment is an operation that requires a lot of thought. With the changes made to the DPE and the actions taken by the government recently, it is sometimes difficult to make the right decision. This is in particular for this reason that most buyers and owners, sellers or lessors turn to the services of a real estate hunter. Based on their needs, he offers support at each stage of the sale: finding the property, negotiating and signing the sale.
Being an expert in the field of real estate, Le Chaseur Apartment Paris is in a position to identify the properties best rated by the new DPE 2021. You will save time in the search and in the selection of accommodation in Paris. The intervention of the apartment hunter is especially useful for those who do not have a lot of time to devote to looking for a property to buy or rent. Their service is also aimed at those who do not live in Paris, but who wish to acquire real estate there.
Another advantage of the support of a real estate hunter is also their ability to research a hidden market. Indeed, some owners choose not to advertise on specialized sites and newspapers. However, their property can be a good investment. Thanks to his network and his professionalism, the apartment hunter can access it. He is attentive to the needs of his customers and remains objective about their research. Finally, using a real estate hunter also saves you from mistakes that can occur in drafting contracts. It can shed some light on what you don't understand about the new DPE.
