When selling a house in France, there are several compulsory surveys or “diagnostics” to be carried out depending on the age of the building.
Without these surveys, your house sale cannot be completed. All surveys must be carried out prior to the completion of a sale and we recommend that you do all surveys at the moment you decide to sell your house. The DPE (energy label) is compulsory from the moment you put your house on the market.
The compulsory surveys:
| Survey | Compulsory for | Validity |
| Termites (Etat parasitaire) | Property located in contaminated areas (determined by the Prefect of each department). In the Hérault as well as in the Aude this survey is compulsory. | 6 months |
| Asbestos (Constat Amiante) | Property with planning permission which was granted before 1st of July 1997. | Unlimited if no asbestos found |
| Lead (Plomb) | Property built before 1st of January 1949. | 1 year if lead is found, otherwise unlimited |
| Energy label (DPE – Diagnostic Performance Energétique) | All properties. | 10 years |
| Natural and technological risks (Etat des risques) | Property located in susceptible areas determined by the Prefect of each department. | 6 months |
| Gas | Properties with fixed gas installations which are older than 15 years. | 3 years |
| Electricity | Properties where the electrical installation is older than 15 years. | 3 years |
The costs of these surveys are at the charge of the vendor of the property and have to be carried out by a qualified expert. Only the Natural and Technological Risks declaration may be executed directly by the seller (information available at the town hall and on internet). However, we also recommend that these surveys are carried out by a qualified expert.
Link : Maxéa – Real estate in South of France – Languedoc
Link : Moerland Select – A selection of quality properties for sale and rent in the Languedoc
Example of an energy label (DPE):
maxéa - moerland select 