You're selling or letting
The requirement applies to homes with an internal electrical installation over 15 years old.
Installation over 15 years old
Identify electrical hazards before selling or letting your home
Check the main safeguards against electric shock and other hazards in the accessible installation.
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- Installation
- Over 15 years
- Sale
- Under 3 years
- Letting
- Under 6 years
WHEN A DPE IS REQUIRED
What applies to your property
The installation has been upgraded
Replacing the consumer unit alone does not establish the age of the whole installation. Work records and certificates of conformity can help.
CHECK THE EXEMPTIONS
When you may not need a new assessment
- Installation no more than 15 years old
- It is below the age threshold for the assessment. The owner still has a duty to keep it safe.
- Accepted certificate or report
- A certificate of conformity endorsed by an approved body may stand in for the assessment if it meets the criteria. Acceptance depends in part on the transaction and the certificate date.
KEEP YOUR REPORT HANDY
Can you still use your report?
Three years for a sale, six years for a letting.
This is a safety assessment. It does not certify full compliance with standards for new installations.
How to prepare for your visit
Gather before the visit
- Previous report and any certificate of conformity.
- Access to the consumer unit and sockets.
- Tell us about possible power interruptions and sensitive equipment before testing.
During the visit
We inspect the accessible installation and carry out statutory tests. Arrange access to the consumer unit and the rooms.
When you receive the report
Check the conclusions, the scope and limitations of the assessment, and any next steps. Keep the whole report, including its appendices.
Clear the area around the consumer unit
Restricted access limits the inspection. Leave the protective covers in place and do not dismantle anything yourself.
The legal framework,
explained.
Official sourcesLégifrance · French public services
LEGISLATION · LÉGIFRANCE
French Construction and Housing Code · Articles R.126-35 and R.126-36Read the official guidance (opens in a new tab)
What this means for youDefines the safety checks and accepted certificates.
LEGISLATION · LÉGIFRANCE
Decree of 11 August 2016 · electrical assessments for lettingsRead the official guidance (opens in a new tab)
What this means for youSets out how the assessment is carried out for lettings and its six-year validity period.
PRACTICAL ANSWERS
FAQ
What you may want to know before the appointment
Does replacing the consumer unit bring everything up to standard?
No. Circuits, sockets, earthing and protective devices throughout the property are also part of the installation.
Can a report prepared for a sale be used for letting?
Yes, if it meets the statutory criteria, including being less than six years old. Have the full report checked.
Does the consumer unit need to be accessible?
Yes. Clear the way to it and to any equipment to be inspected. Tell us about potential power interruptions, locked areas and any other constraints before the visit.
Does the assessor repair the installation?
Assessment and repair are separate. The report identifies defects. An electrician can carry out any work needed.
Are renovation invoices enough?
They help explain what work was done but do not automatically replace the document you need. Send them with any certificates you have.
Do I have to rewire the property before selling?
The assessment tells the buyer about any defects. What happens next depends on the type of defect and the circumstances. The report does not call for rewiring in every case.
Unsure about
your property?
If a report is difficult to follow, give us a call and we'll talk it through.
06 80 35 31 84