Selling or letting in France? Your diagnostics, sorted
DPE, asbestos, lead, termites, gas, electrics, floor area, risk statement, energy audit… I carry out the full set of mandatory French surveys, grouped into one or two visits — and I explain what they mean, in plain English.
The French diagnostics, demystified
In France, the seller or landlord must provide a bundle of regulatory surveys — the Dossier de Diagnostic Technique (DDT) — before signing a sale agreement or a lease. Which surveys are required depends on the age of the building, its location and its installations.
If you own a French property, that's your obligation the day you sell or let it. I hold the required certifications for the complete range, group everything into one or two visits, and deliver a pack your notaire will accept — while making sure you actually understand the results.
The mandatory French diagnostics
Energy Performance (DPE)
Diagnostic de Performance Énergétique
The French energy rating (A to G). Mandatory for every sale and rental listing — and a poor rating now restricts letting.
Asbestos survey
Amiante
Mandatory for any building permitted before 1 July 1997. Identifies asbestos-containing materials before sale or works.
Lead survey (CREP)
Plomb
Mandatory for homes built before 1949: checks old paintwork for lead, a health hazard for children.
Termite survey
Termites
Required in designated risk areas — which include much of South-West France — before a sale.
Gas installation
Gaz
Mandatory when the indoor gas installation is more than 15 years old. Checks for safety risks.
Electrical installation
Électricité
Mandatory when the electrical installation is more than 15 years old. Flags dangerous wiring.
Floor area certificates
Loi Carrez / Loi Boutin
Certified floor-area measurement: Carrez for the sale of co-owned property, Boutin for rentals.
Risks & pollution (ERP)
État des Risques et Pollutions
States the natural, mining, technological and pollution risks the property is exposed to (floods, radon…).
Regulatory energy audit
Audit énergétique
Now required on top of the DPE for the sale of poorly rated homes (energy classes E, F and G).
Detailed pages for each survey are available on the French version of the site.
Selling or letting: two different packs
Selling your property
- Energy performance (DPE) — all sales
- Asbestos — building permit before July 1997
- Lead (CREP) — built before 1949
- Termites — designated risk areas
- Gas & electrics — installations over 15 years
- ERP risks & pollution — all sales
- Loi Carrez area — co-owned property
- Energy audit — E, F and G rated homes
Letting your property
- Energy performance (DPE) — all rentals
- Lead (CREP) — built before 1949
- Asbestos — on request of the tenant
- Gas & electrics — installations over 15 years
- ERP risks & pollution — all rentals
- Loi Boutin habitable area — unfurnished rentals
The exact list depends on your property's age, location and installations — contact me with the details and I'll confirm precisely what you need.
French diagnostics, in plain English
What is the “DDT” I keep hearing about?
The Dossier de Diagnostic Technique (DDT) is the bundle of mandatory surveys a seller (or landlord) must attach to the sale agreement or lease in France. Which surveys it must contain depends on the age, location and characteristics of the property. I compile the complete pack for you, usually in one or two visits.
I'm selling my French house. Which diagnostics do I need?
It depends on the property: the DPE energy rating is always required; asbestos applies to buildings permitted before July 1997; lead to homes built before 1949; termites in designated risk areas (most of the South-West); gas and electrics when the installations are over 15 years old; plus the ERP risk statement and, for poorly rated homes (E, F, G), a regulatory energy audit. Contact me with the property details and I'll tell you exactly what your pack must contain.
How is this different from your pre-purchase survey?
The diagnostics are regulatory checks on specific points, required by French law, normally paid for by the seller. The pre-purchase building survey is an optional, in-depth technical inspection commissioned by the buyer to assess the overall condition of the property. They complement each other — one is compliance, the other is judgement.
How quickly can you deliver the reports?
All the surveys are usually grouped into one or two visits, and the complete pack is delivered within 48 to 72 hours. Quotes are free and answered within 24 hours.
Are you certified?
Yes. All mandatory French diagnostics must be carried out by a certified diagnostician. I hold the required certifications for the full range of surveys, and my reports are valid for notaries and estate agents.
Do you explain the results in English?
Yes. The reports themselves are official French documents, but I take the time to walk you through what they mean, what is genuinely important and what is merely administrative — in plain English.
Which areas do you cover?
The four departments of the South-West: Gironde (33), Dordogne (24), Lot-et-Garonne (47) and Landes (40) — around Bordeaux, Libourne, Bergerac, Sainte-Foy-la-Grande and Marmande.
Buying rather than selling? What you probably want is a pre-purchase building survey.
A property to sell or let in France?
I carry out all your mandatory surveys, grouped and fairly priced — and explain the results in plain English. Free quote within 24 hours.
Reply within 24h · Certified diagnostician