Insurance
frederic vernede“A knowledgeable professional who lives up to expectations and provides a property inspection report completed to a high standard. Highly recommended!”
Are you selling, letting or renovating? Work with a local property assessor.
Report within 72 hours
We issue your report within 72 hours of the visit.
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What our clients say (translated from French)
Livia Silvent“Very professional, responsive and thorough. Communication was easy throughout. I recommend them.”
Djay MRC“My notaire and an estate agent both recommended DPE d’OC, and I’m glad I took their advice. Quick, efficient work! Thank you for the thoughtful advice and your kindness.”
Michael Besuchet“A thorough and informative appointment. The assessor was very professional, friendly and good at explaining things. The report was thorough and I learnt a lot from our conversation. I would recommend DPE d’OC without hesitation.”
Michel Heras« Excellent service and professionalism! The assessor was punctual, thorough and took the time to explain each step clearly. The report arrived quickly and helped my sale go smoothly. Highly recommended!”
Inspections
worth knowing about.
All inspectionsWhich inspections
do I need?
A measured floor plan.
Room dimensions and floor areas.
50 €€150plan only
With any inspection
The inspection is charged separately.
Explore measured floor plans
SELLING OR LETTING · WHAT TO CHECKAre your reports
Are your reports
still valid?
Already have reports? Check how long they remain valid and whether you can reuse them when selling or letting.
Which rules apply to you, and why.
The year of construction is one factor. The address, installations and ownership arrangement also matter.
| Inspection | When selling | When letting | When is it required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Performance Certificate (DPE)Energy performance | Generally required | Generally required | Selling or letting a home, unless a statutory exemption applies. Small flats are still covered. |
| Lead paint risk · CREPLead in paint | If applicable | If applicable | A home built before 1 January 1949. |
| AsbestosBuilding materials | If applicable | Keep available on request* | Planning permission issued before 1 July 1997. For lettings, see the note below. |
| Electrical safetyInstallation safety | If applicable | If applicable | Electrical installation more than 15 years old. The age of the installation is what matters. |
| GasInstallation safety | If applicable | If applicable | Indoor gas installation more than 15 years old. This check applies only where there is a gas installation. |
| Property risk disclosure · ERPRisks specific to the address | Depends on the address | Depends on the address | A property in a regulated area for risks such as flooding, earthquakes, radon or pollution. |
| TermitesInsects that damage timber | Depends on the area | Not required for the tenancy agreement | Required for sale in an area designated by a prefectural order, regardless of the property’s age. |
| Carrez floor areaPrivate floor area of the unit being sold | Part of a co-owned property | Not applicable | Sale of a house or flat that forms a co-owned unit of at least 8 m². Cellars, garages and parking spaces are excluded. |
| Habitable floor area · Boutin lawFloor area stated in the tenancy agreement | Not applicable | Main residence | The tenancy agreement must state the habitable floor area. The calculation differs from the Carrez measurement. |
* Asbestos in rented homes. For a flat with planning permission issued before July 1997, the landlord must make the private-area asbestos file (DAPP) available to the tenant on request. It does not have to be attached to every tenancy agreement. See the rule (official source, opens in a new tab)
DPE exemptions. For example, some detached buildings under 50 m² are exempt. This exemption does not apply to a studio in a block of flats. Understand the exemptions.
Selling: check the dates before you sign.
Gather the reports in the statutory inspection pack (DDT). Some may need renewing, while others can be reused.
| Inspection or document | Validity period | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Performance Certificate (DPE) | 10 years | For reports issued on or after 1 July 2021. Older DPE certificates have expired. The official rule (official source, opens in a new tab) |
| Lead paint risk · CREP | Under 1 year | Applies when lead reaches the statutory threshold. If no lead is found, or levels are below 1 mg/cm², the report does not expire. The official rule (official source, opens in a new tab) |
| Electrical safety | Under 3 years | Check at the time of sale. Some certificates of compliance can take the place of the inspection report. The official rule (official source, opens in a new tab) |
| Gas | Under 3 years | Check at the time of sale. A recent certificate of compliance can replace the report if it meets the requirements. The official rule (official source, opens in a new tab) |
| Property risk disclosure · ERP | Under 6 months | Update it if risks or information change before signing. The official rule (official source, opens in a new tab) |
| Termites | Up to 6 months | Renew an expired report if the property still requires one. The official rule (official source, opens in a new tab) |
| Asbestos | Depends on the report | Renew reports from before 1 April 2013 before selling. Later reports have no automatic expiry, but any follow-up recommendations still apply. Building work may warrant a new survey. The official rule (official source, opens in a new tab) |
| Carrez floor area | As long as the floor area stays the same | Check it after work that changes the floor area. The measurement must match the property being sold. The official rule (official source, opens in a new tab) |
| Private wastewater system (official source, opens in a new tab) | Under 3 years | The local public wastewater service (SPANC) checks the private system. Its report is separate from the home inspection reports. The official rule (official source, opens in a new tab) |
| Energy audit (official source, opens in a new tab) | 5 years | Required for the sale of a house or a building in single ownership rated E, F or G in metropolitan France. It is supplied alongside the DPE. The official rule (official source, opens in a new tab) |
Letting: get your reports ready for the tenancy agreement.
Gas, electrical and lead reports have different validity periods for lettings and sales.
| Inspection or document | Validity period | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Performance Certificate (DPE) | 10 years | For reports issued on or after 1 July 2021. The property must also meet the minimum energy rating for letting. The official rule (official source, opens in a new tab) |
| Lead paint risk · CREP | Under 6 years | Applies when lead reaches the statutory threshold. If no lead is found, or levels are below 1 mg/cm², the report does not expire. The official rule (official source, opens in a new tab) |
| Electrical safety | Under 6 years | At the date the tenancy agreement is signed. You can reuse a report prepared for sale if it is still within this period. The official rule (official source, opens in a new tab) |
| Gas | Under 6 years | At the date the tenancy agreement is signed. A sale report can be reused if it is still within this period. The official rule (official source, opens in a new tab) |
| Property risk disclosure · ERP | Under 6 months | Provide it at the first viewing and update it if needed before signing. The official rule (official source, opens in a new tab) |
| Habitable floor area · Boutin law | As long as the floor area stays the same | Recalculate if work changes the habitable floor area stated in the tenancy agreement. The official rule (official source, opens in a new tab) |
| Asbestos | Follow-up depends on the file | An asbestos report is not routinely attached to the tenancy agreement. If the flat is covered by the rules, the private-area asbestos file must remain available to the tenant. The official rule (official source, opens in a new tab) |
A valid report is only one requirement for letting. In metropolitan France, G-rated homes have failed the minimum energy standard since 2025 for new, renewed or extended tenancies. F-rated homes follow in 2028 and E-rated homes in 2034. Understand the DPE rules.
Other documentsAudit, wastewater, noise, dry rot, co-ownership and land
Audit, wastewater and noise
Selling an E-, F- or G-rated house or building in single ownership in metropolitan France requires an energy audit valid for 5 years. A private wastewater system requires a SPANC report under 3 years old. An airport noise disclosure applies to sales and lettings in designated areas.
Dry rot: disclosing the risk
In an area designated by official order, sellers must tell buyers about the risk of dry rot. The disclosure requirement does not always entail a dry rot inspection with a nationally prescribed validity period.
Seller’s disclosure (official source, opens in a new tab)Buildings: the DTG and DPE serve different purposes
The building condition assessment (DTG) reviews the building’s condition and anticipated works. Its 10-year outlook is a planning horizon. The building-wide DPE has its own rules, explained below.
Building condition assessment (DTG) (official source, opens in a new tab)Land: a specific ground investigation
Selling certain building plots in areas with medium or high exposure to clay shrinkage and swelling requires a preliminary geotechnical study. It remains valid for 30 years if the ground has not been altered.
French Construction Code · R.132-6 (opens in a new tab)
Local expertise
in older buildings.
- Village houses
- Farmhouses
- Large period buildings
Expertise suited to the materials and features of your property.
Get a quote in 2 minutesFree, with no obligation.A professional
close to home.
Carcassonne area
Minervois
Narbonne area
Canal and Saint-Chinian area
Béziers area
What to do
before the visit.
Practical guide
How to prepare for a property inspection
Keys, paperwork, timing and reports: how to prepare for your property inspection without dismantling anything.
Prepare for my appointment
Selling and letting
Which property inspection reports can you reuse?
Before commissioning new reports, check their dates, the requirements of your project and what has changed at the property. A practical way to sort through existing reports.
Read the guide
Selling and letting
DPE and energy audit: what do you need to sell?
Selling a house rated E, F or G may require an energy audit as well as a French energy performance assessment (DPE). Find out what each document covers and get ready before viewings begin.
Read the guideAnswers
before you get started.
Frequently asked questionsIs a DPE all I need to sell or let?
The DPE covers energy performance. You may need other reports depending on the property’s age, installations and location, and on what you plan to do. The paperwork for a flat can differ from that for a house.
See which inspections you need to sellHow much will my inspections cost?
A DPE starts at €120 for a one-room home (T1) under 30 m². For other properties, the cost depends on the floor area and the inspections you need. Tell us about your property for a tailored quote.
Get my quoteWhen should I book an appointment?
Book while you are preparing to sell or let. If your property requires a DPE, its key information must appear in the listing. You can then put the paperwork together well before signing.
Understand what the DPE coversCan I reuse my existing reports?
Each report has its own validity rules. A DPE issued on or after 1 July 2021 is normally valid for ten years. Older certificates have expired. Send us the full reports so we can check which you can reuse.
Check the rules on Service Public ↗What should I get ready before the visit?
Gather earlier reports, floor plans and records of work on insulation, windows, heating or hot water. Make sure the assessor can reach the relevant rooms and equipment. Technical documents help us describe your home accurately.
Prepare for my appointmentHow long will the visit take?
It depends on the floor area, layout and number of inspections. A house with outbuildings takes different planning from a small flat. Include those details when you enquire so we can arrange the visit.
Tell us about my propertyWill the report require me to carry out work?
A report does not automatically require a full renovation. What you need to do depends on the inspection, the issues it identifies and your plans. For lettings, energy performance is one of the French minimum housing standards.
Understand what your rating meansDo I need to be there during the inspection?
Arrange for someone to let the assessor in and provide access to the relevant areas. If you cannot attend, agree how to hand over the keys in advance and share any access instructions.
Arrange the visitWill the assessor need access to ancillary areas?
Mention cellars, garages, lofts and outbuildings when you enquire. The areas we need to see depend on the inspections. Agree access with the assessor before the appointment.
List ancillary areasCan I book just a DPE?
Yes. Select “DPE only” in the form. If you are selling or letting, also check which other reports you need.
Request a DPEIs a measured floor plan included in the inspection?
A measured floor plan is an optional service. It costs €150 on its own, or €50 when booked with any inspection, a saving of €100. The inspection is charged separately.
Add a measured floor planDo you cover my town or village?
We cover the Aude, the Minervois and the Béziers area. Include your property address in your enquiry. We can consider your request even if your town or village is not listed.
Request a visit