Can you sell a thermal sieve (class F or G)?
Yes, you are free to sell a thermal sieve rated F or G. No obligation to carry out works falls on the seller. However, for a single-ownership dwelling, you must provide a regulatory energy audit (mandatory since 1 April 2023) and state the energy class and energy costs in the advertisement and the deed.
Selling a thermal sieve remains perfectly legal
Contrary to a common misconception, there is no ban on selling a dwelling rated F or G on the EPC, nor any obligation to carry out renovation works before the sale. The seller of a thermal sieve retains full freedom to sell the property as is, to a buyer who purchases with full knowledge of the facts.
The ban that is progressively hitting energy-intensive dwellings concerns rental, not sale. An owner can therefore sell a property rated G even if it can no longer legally be rented out, which explains a growing share of thermal sieves being put up for sale.
- Sale permitted in classes F and G with no cap or performance condition
- No legal obligation to carry out works on the seller
- The buyer purchases freely, including to renovate or for a use other than rental
The reinforced obligations of the seller of a thermal sieve
While the sale is free, it is more tightly framed in order to inform the buyer. Since 1 April 2023, the sale of a single-ownership dwelling rated F or G requires the delivery of a regulatory energy audit, in addition to the EPC. This audit sets out works scenarios enabling the property to reach a better energy class. Apartments in co-ownership are not subject to this audit at the point of sale.
In addition, the property advertisement must display the energy class and the climate class (EPC labels) and, for a property rated F or G, include the statement indicating that it is a dwelling with excessive energy consumption. The estimate of annual energy costs must also appear in the advertisement.
- Valid EPC required
- Regulatory energy audit to be handed over from the first viewing (F and G in single ownership)
- "Dwelling with excessive energy consumption" disclosure in the advertisement
- Display of the energy and climate labels, and an estimate of annual energy costs
Practical consequences for price and negotiation
An energy-intensive dwelling does sell, but the buyer factors the cost of works into their offer. The energy audit, by quantifying renovation scenarios, often serves as a basis for negotiation. A well-informed seller anticipates this discount by preparing a complete technical file.
Since the rental bans came into force, a thermal sieve that cannot be rented out loses part of its appeal for investors, which can weigh on demand. Conversely, it attracts buyers willing to renovate, possibly assisted by public schemes such as MaPrimeRénov', whose conditions change regularly.
Frequently asked questions
Am I required to carry out works before selling a thermal sieve?
No. No law imposes works on the seller, whatever the EPC class. You sell the property in its current state. Only the information provided to the buyer is reinforced, through the EPC, the energy audit (in single ownership) and the disclosures in the advertisement and the deed.
Is the energy audit mandatory to sell an apartment rated G?
The regulatory energy audit applies to dwellings sold in single ownership (individual houses and entire buildings owned by a single owner). An apartment in co-ownership is not subject to it at the point of sale, but remains concerned by the EPC and the mandatory disclosures.
Can you sell at a higher price by renovating before putting the property up for sale?
A better EPC class generally enhances the value of the property and widens the pool of buyers, in particular investors who will be able to rent it out. It remains to compare the cost of works with the expected price gain: the energy audit helps to weigh this decision.
Read next
- Loi n° 2021-1104 du 22 août 2021 (loi Climat et Résilience)
- Code de la construction et de l'habitation, article L.126-28-1 (audit énergétique)
- Code de la construction et de l'habitation, article L.126-33 (mentions dans les annonces)
- Service-Public.fr - Vente immobilière : diagnostics obligatoires
- ADEME - Audit énergétique réglementaire
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