The same accommodation can sometimes obtain two different ratings. Enough to sow doubt on the reliability energy performance diagnosis (DPE)yet become essential in any real estate transaction.
The DPE has become a necessary step. However, its reliability is increasingly contested. In question: a calculation method (3CL)based on the characteristics of the housing and not on its actual consumption, but also unequal training of diagnosticians and high financial stakes. In the field, some professionals even point to a windfall effect. “ The sector is in full development, many are getting started because it has become very economically attractive », observes Aïden Mathis, Parisian real estate agent within the Breteuil group.
Diagnoses that are sometimes botched or biased
According to him, the differences are not anecdotal. “ I see inconsistencies all the time. Some diagnosticians can botch the DPEwhich gives a bad grade and complicates the sale. Conversely, others know very well that a good grade facilitates transactions. »
This is due, in particular, to sometimes incomplete verifications. The agent mentions the case of a wrongly classified property: “ I have already had an apartment put in the wrong category by claiming that the attic was not insulated… even though it was. The diagnostician hadn’t even checked. “. These gaps can also be explained by the lack of experience of certain professionals. “ Today, there are a lot of diagnosticians. We very quickly see those who are rigorous… and those who are much less so”observes the expert.
Beyond its reliability, the DPE has established itself as a key criterion in real estate searches. “ As soon as buyers see a ranking E, F or Gthey become much more suspicious », underlines Aïden Mathis. The diagnosis directly influences the perception of a property, sometimes independently of its real quality. “ Today, it is one of the three main criteria for buyers. Some even refuse to visit if the rating is too bad », he notes.
Bad DPE: what options for the seller?
For owners facing a poor energy ratingseveral strategies exist. The first consists of not carrying out work before putting it on sale, accepting that the DPE becomes a negotiation leverage for buyers.
Conversely, some sellers choose to anticipate by carrying out their own energy renovation work, in order to improve the rating and limit discussions about the price. But this option is not always profitable. “ The work is not necessarily a cost that is amortized upon resale “, warns Aïden Mathis.
It really depends on the seller’s situation. “ If you have a contractor around you who can give you a quote, it might be worth it. Otherwise, sometimes it’s better to let buyers do the work and negotiate accordingly », he adds.
In this context, some professionals recommend have the work precisely costed before the sale, in order to avoid excessive or poorly anticipated negotiations. Finally, in case of doubt about the grade, it may be relevant to have the diagnosis checked even before marketing. A precaution that can avoid unpleasant surprises during the negotiation.
Should we still trust the DPE?
Framed by regulations, the DPE remains a central tool to assess the energy performance of a home. But for professionals, it must be interpreted with caution.« When you go through an agency, the diagnoses are generally serious. But in the context of a sale between individuals, I clearly advise having the diagnostics redone in case of doubt. », Estimates Aïden Mathis.
In the event of a proven error, appeal exist: it is possible to have a second diagnosis in order to compare the results, or even to initiate the responsibility of the diagnostician if fault is proven. A buyer can also rely on these elements to renegotiate the price or, in the most serious cases, take legal action.
Between an essential tool and a source of uncertainty, the DPE has established itself as a central criterion, driven by increasingly strict regulations. But its reliability continues to be debated.
