Electricity

The electrical diagnostic, a safeguard for the home

This diagnostic assesses the condition of a home’s internal electrical installation in order to identify faults that could cause an accident. It concerns installations more than fifteen years old, often designed at a time when standards and electrical usage differed markedly from today’s needs. The aim is to spot points of danger for the occupants.

What is at stake in this check

An ageing installation can be the source of electric shocks, fires or short circuits. By drawing up a precise picture, the diagnostic informs the buyer or tenant about the level of safety and about any upgrades to consider, without however requiring works for the sale.

Who must have it done, and when?

The electrical diagnostic is mandatory both for the sale and for the rental of a home whenever the installation is more than fifteen years old. It must be available at the time of the transaction and attached to the file given to the buyer or tenant.

The points checked by the assessor

The professional checks the installation’s essential safety features, without major dismantling:

• The presence and accessibility of the main control and protection device
• The existence of a suitable residual-current device
• The quality of the earth connection and earthing installation
• Protection against overcurrents through appropriate devices
• The absence of worn electrical equipment or equipment posing a risk of direct contact

How the visit unfolds

The assessor examines the consumer unit, the circuits, the sockets and the lighting points in every room, including damp rooms such as the bathroom. The intervention requires access to the whole home and to the distribution board. On average it lasts one to two hours depending on the size and complexity of the installation.

What the report contains

The report lists the anomalies found, ranks them by severity and locates each fault. It sets out the associated risks and recalls the reference safety rules. This document lets the future occupant gauge the scale of any safety upgrades to plan for.

Period of validity

The electrical diagnostic is valid for three years in the case of a sale. For a rental, its validity is extended to six years. Beyond these periods, a new check is needed for the file to remain compliant when the property returns to the market.

What happens in the event of a failing?

A missing diagnostic or an expired document exposes the owner to being held liable in the event of an electrical accident. If unreported anomalies cause harm, the seller or landlord may be held responsible. Providing a reliable assessment therefore protects the occupant as much as the owner.

What influences the fee

The price mainly depends on the floor area, the number of rooms and circuits to check, the age of the installation and the location of the property. Grouping this diagnostic with the gas one, or with the whole sale file, usually helps limit the total cost.

Frequently asked questions

Must I carry out the flagged works before selling?

No. The diagnostic is informative: no work is required in order to sell. The buyer purchases in full knowledge of the situation and decides for themselves which upgrades to carry out.

My installation is under fifteen years old, am I concerned?

If the installation is less than fifteen years old and you can prove it, for example with a certificate of compliance, the diagnostic is not required. Beyond fifteen years, it becomes mandatory again.

Does the diagnostic replace bringing the installation up to standard?

No. It records the state of the installation at a given moment but is not a certificate of compliance. Bringing it up to standard remains, where applicable, a separate step to be carried out by a qualified professional.