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.
Updated on · Metropolitan France
Start with the reports you already have
If you bought a home a few years ago and now want to let it, the sale paperwork is a starting point. Check whether it meets the requirements for the new tenancy before attaching it to the agreement.
List each document, its date, the address and lots inspected, the findings and any work since. Send the complete reports to the professional reviewing them. A photo of the first page may omit limits on what was checked.
Validity depends on the report and the project
DPE reports issued from 1 July 2021 are generally valid for ten years. Those issued from January 2018 to June 2021 expired by 31 December 2024 at the latest. Check the date before relying on the rating.
Gas and electrical inspection reports are usually valid for three years for a sale and six years for letting. Check whether they are valid on the date you must supply them. Certificates of conformity have their own rules, so check those separately.
Compare the property in the report with its current state
Has the project expanded to include an outbuilding? Have the equipment, insulation or layout changed? Are the same lots involved? These facts help establish whether an existing report is still suitable.
If a floor area or finding differs from what is shown in the PDF, flag the discrepancy and ask for the appropriate document. Keep official certificates updating a report with that report.
Confirm which reports to keep and which to replace
The checks depend on the project, the property and its location. The sale pack and letting pack have different requirements. Ask for the documents to be checked individually.
The official sources,
explained.
What this coversThe property inspection documents required for a sale.
What this coversThe inspection reports you must give to your tenant.
Service Public — Energy performance assessment (DPE)Read the official guidance (opens in a new tab)
What this coversWhat the DPE covers and which rules apply to the property.
What this coversWhat the gas safety inspection covers and how long it is valid.
What this coversWhat the electrical inspection covers, its limitations and how long the report is valid.
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