Real estate technical visit: DPE 2026 standards

The technical visit of a property, often assimilated to a real “health check” of the housing, takes on a strategic dimension with the entry into force of the new DPE (Energy Performance Diagnosis) standards in 2026. Faced with the regulatory tightening resulting from the Climate and Resilience law of August 22, 2021, landlords, real estate agents and investors must anticipate reinforced controls and more demanding energy thresholds. This article details the expected developments and good practices to adopt.

The DPE 2026: an even more structuring diagnosis

Since the reform of July 2021, the DPE has become legally enforceable. The timetable set by the Climate law provides for a progressive ban on the rental of thermal strainers: housing classified G has been prohibited from renting since January 1, 2025, F will be prohibited from January 1, 2028, and E from January 1, 2034. This trajectory requires, from 2026, increased vigilance during the technical visit prior to any transaction or rental.

The 2026 diagnosis now includes new parameters: refined consideration of ventilation, analysis of thermal bridges, assessment of summer comfort and increased weighting of greenhouse gas emissions. The 3CL-DPE method is evolving to better reflect the real performance of the building.

The key stages of the compliant technical visit

A structured technical visit in 2026 must cover several areas: inspection of the thermal envelope (walls, roof, joinery), verification of the heating and domestic hot water production system, control of ventilation (single or double flow VMC), and evaluation of energy regulation. The diagnostician, certified according to the decree of July 20, 2023, must now produce a more detailed report, including costed work scenarios.

The energy audit, compulsory since April 1, 2023 for the sale of housing classified F and G, will be extended in 2026 to properties classified E in single ownership. This audit completes the DPE and becomes a central document during negotiations.

Impact on market and rental value

“Green value” emerges as a determining criterion. According to the Notaries of France, housing classified A or B is negotiated on average 6 to 14% more expensive than a property classified D in the same area. Conversely, a discount of 10 to 20% hits thermal strainers. Investors now systematically include the cost of renovation work in their profitability calculation, helped by the MaPrimeRénov' schemes and the CEE (Energy Savings Certificates).

Sanctions and reinforced obligations

Failure to comply with DPE obligations exposes you to significant sanctions. A lessor renting non-compliant accommodation is exposed to action to reduce the rent before the judicial court, or even to forced completion of the work (article 20-1 of the law of July 6, 1989). The provision of an incorrect DPE engages the liability of the diagnostician but also of the seller on the basis of fraud (article 1137 of the Civil Code).