Energy performance: an essential criterion when selling a property

The EPC is today far more than an administrative formality

Since July 2021, with the implementation of the “Climate and Resilience” Act, the EPC has undergone major changes. It is now a precise assessment tool that draws on the characteristics of the home in addition to the energy bills.

The validity of this property diagnostic is still set at 10 years, but it should be noted that EPCs carried out before July 2021 have a reduced validity because of the new calculation methods. Indeed, these no longer take into account only the energy bills, as we mentioned above, but the energy performance / the EPC is calculated using the 3CL technique (Calculation of the Conventional Consumption of Homes).

Faced with this change, owners are required to carry out a new energy performance certificate.

The legal obligation to provide an EPC when selling concerns all properties. In the event of non-compliance with this regulation, sellers expose themselves to cancellation of the sale or even a financial penalty!

Concretely, what is the impact of energy performance on property value?

So, is there a real impact on the sale of a property when the results of the home’s energy performance are poor?

On average, properties rated F or G (that is, as energy sieves) can suffer a discount of 3 to 18% depending on the region. Faced with this, more efficient homes, rated A or B, will tend to benefit from a premium.

Furthermore, the regulations in force tend to enhance the value of energy-efficient homes. On the rental market today, homes rated G are banned from being rented out, and this will extend to properties rated F from 2028 and then to homes rated E in 2034.

So yes, we can confirm that the energy performance of a home has a real impact on the sale (or rental!) of a property. Obviously, future buyers are reassured by new or recently renovated properties. But individual houses, which are more easily renovated, also do well! So how can the possibilities for energy gains be presented? This is where the energy audit comes in.

When the EPC is no longer enough, the value of the energy audit

While the energy performance certificate draws up an energy overview of the property, the energy audit allows you to go much further in the analysis of the home. Where an EPC classifies the home and gives a rating from A to G, the audit establishes a genuine action plan and proposes works recommendations that are costed and prioritised!

These are therefore concrete solutions that will be available to you thanks to carrying out an energy audit. The auditor can examine the insulation, the ventilation, the heating systems and will then propose renovation scenarios.

Either this will take the form of an overall works scenario, with a hierarchy of the renovations to be undertaken, their costs but also the energy benefits this will bring to the home. The scenario can also be broken down into stages, with step-by-step works recommendations, costed, and the energy class gain at each stage.

The technical and transparent analysis offered by the energy audit allows owners and future buyers to visualise the return on investment of the planned works and the possible energy gain!

The obligation of an audit for energy sieves

Since 2025, the energy audit is mandatory for the sale of individual houses rated F, G and E. It is planned that this regulation will extend to homes rated D in 2034.

The audit must be handed over to potential future buyers from the very first viewing, and must be compulsorily annexed to the sale agreement. This obligation aims to inform buyers, in full transparency, of the works needed within the property, their costs and the possible energy gain.

It should also be kept in mind that an energy audit facilitates obtaining financial assistance for renovating the home! It is a major asset in obtaining an eco-PTZ or the MaPrimeRénov’ grant, for example.

Which strategies to adopt to successfully sell your property?

Anticipation remains the key to successfully selling your property. It is important to have good visibility of the condition of the building fabric, and opting for energy renovation works can allow a real return on investment before the sale.

The examples of possible renovation works to improve the energy performance of your property are numerous: loft insulation, replacing a boiler with a heat pump, installing a dual-flow mechanical ventilation system… All these installations can greatly improve the energy class of your home.

With property diagnostics and energy audits, identify with the help of the professionals at RITMODiag and RITMOAudit the assets and strong points of your building and thereby prepare a solid case to successfully sell your property!

Our team supports you and will play a role of expert and adviser! Beyond the technical completion of the energy performance certificate, an experienced eye will be cast over your sale project and will steer you towards relevant solutions and a hierarchy of works.

The outlook for energy performance and our practical advice

Energy performance is becoming a very important topic within the property market! Whether for rental or sale, we are seeing a real tightening of the regulations in force, with a change in the energy performance thresholds and an extension of the obligation to carry out property diagnostics and energy audits.

But beyond the updating of the standards and the tiers of energy performance permitted for sale and rental, it is above all among buyers that attitudes are changing!

Today, the market’s expectations have changed and potential buyers are increasingly aware of environmental issues and energy costs. This is now one of the criteria for a purchase decision.

In order to successfully carry out a sale in this context, be proactive! Remember to carry out the diagnostics in advance, get support from property diagnosticians and professional auditors who will support you and highlight the energy strengths of your property. Get in touch with our teams!

RITMODiag supports you in successfully selling your property in the best conditions!

Are you considering selling your property? Do not let energy performance be a barrier to your project! Our team of certified experts carries out your property diagnostics with precision and advises you on the best strategies to adopt.

Energy performance certificate or energy audit, enhance the value of your property and optimise your transaction!

To find out more about all our services or to request a quote, you can contact us by telephone! Let’s do everything we can to achieve a successful sale!