Surveys for a letting
The technical survey file, mandatory for every letting
Every landlord must attach a technical survey file (DDT) to the tenancy agreement and give it to the new tenant. The aim is to inform the tenant accurately about the property, protect their safety, and prevent disputes over hidden defects or missing information.
Depending on when the property was built and the age of its installations, some surveys are always required (DPE (Energy Performance Certificate), ERP (natural and technological risk statement), loi Boutin (habitable area for lettings)) and others only in certain cases (lead, electrics, gas, DAPP (asbestos summary for private areas) in co-ownership buildings). An incomplete file can make the landlord liable.
| Mandatory survey | Property types & conditions | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| DPE Energy Performance Certificate |
Any property put up for rent that has a heating system. | 10 years, unless works affect the energy performance. |
| ERP Risk and pollution statement |
Property located in a risk area defined by prefectoral order. | 6 months. |
| CREP Lead exposure report |
Property with a building permit issued before 1 January 1949. | 6 years for a letting (no expiry date if no lead is found). |
| Gas Indoor installation report |
Gas installations over 15 years old. | 6 years. |
| Electrics Indoor installation report |
Electrical installations over 15 years old. | 6 years. |
| Loi Boutin Habitable area measurement |
Any home let as a main residence, furnished or unfurnished. | No expiry date, unless works change the layout. |
| DAPP Asbestos survey of private areas |
Co-ownership building built before July 1997. | Available to the tenant on request. |
DPE: required as soon as the property is advertised
As with a sale, a rental listing must show the DPE result for the property.
Prospective tenants get clear information on the property's energy rating and an estimate of its annual energy bill.
Since the DPE reform, homes rated G are gradually being banned from the rental market. The timetable continues with ratings F and then E in the coming years.
Valid for: 10 years, unless works affect the property's energy performance.
ERP: informing tenants about risks to the property
Just like a sale, every letting requires an up-to-date risk and pollution statement to be given to the new tenant.
Drawn up after checking prefectoral orders and local council records, it covers natural, mining, technological and seismic risks, as well as radon exposure.
Valid for: 6 months. It must always be attached to the tenancy agreement.
Risk and pollution statement (ERP) in Bordeaux: full guide →
CREP, for homes built before 1949
Any home put up for rent with a building permit issued before 1 January 1949 must have a lead exposure report.
The report protects future occupants, especially young children, from lead poisoning caused by deteriorating lead paint.
Valid for: 6 years for a letting. No expiry date if no lead is found.
Gas survey, for installations over 15 years old
If the home has a gas installation over 15 years old, a survey is required before the tenancy agreement is signed.
It checks the pipework, connections, fixed appliances and ventilation, to prevent any risk of poisoning or explosion for the tenant.
Valid for: 6 years for a letting.
Electrical survey: the future tenant's safety
Any electrical installation over 15 years old must be inspected before the property is let.
The surveyor checks the consumer unit, the earthing and the general condition of the circuits, to prevent any risk of electric shock or fire.
Valid for: 6 years for a letting.
Loi Boutin: measuring the habitable area
A measurement of the habitable area, known as the loi Boutin measurement, is mandatory for any home put on the rental market.
Holiday lets are exempt.
It must be done beforehand: it is needed for the rental listing and must appear in the tenancy agreement. This avoids disputes between landlord and tenant.
It is a measurement that must be precise and follows strict rules. Using a professional is not compulsory, but it is strongly recommended: an error of more than 5% leads to a proportional rent reduction.
DAPP: asbestos survey of private areas
Unlike other surveys, the DAPP is not tied to a property transaction.
It must be carried out by every owner of private areas in a building constructed before July 1997.
It detects and locates asbestos within the unit in the co-ownership building, to protect occupants and anyone working on site.
Tenants of the home or business premises can ask to see it.
Letting a property? Get your file in order
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