Whether selling or letting your property, or having works done, in particular demolition works, the number of diagnostic surveys varies depending on a number of parameters. However, they are all put together in a condition report file (French acronym: DDT Dossier de Diagnostic Technique).
Here is a breakdown of the mandatory diagnostic surveys depending on your particular situation:
LOI BOUTIN measurement
-
Type de bien & conditions
Empty lets and property for use as a main residence -
Durée de validité
Unlimited, except in the case of renovation works (for lets only)
Square metres, LOI CARREZ
-
Type de bien & conditions
Any property in joint ownership (except cellars, garages and units measuring less than 8m2) -
Durée de validité
Unlimited, except in the case of renovation works (for sale only)
Amiante DAAP
-
Type de bien & conditions
Property for which the planning permission dates from prior to 1 July 1997 -
Durée de validité
SALE:- If the report dates from before April 2013 : it needs to be renewed.
- If the report dates from after April 2013 : unlimited validity.
Amiante CAAV
-
Type de bien & conditions
Property for which the planning permission dates from prior to 1 July 1997 -
Durée de validité
SALE:- If the report dates from before April 2013 : it needs to be renewed.
- If the report dates from after April 2013 : unlimited validity.
ERP
-
Informations
ERP: (French acronym) Risks and pollution report (formerly called “ESRIS”) -
Type de bien & conditions
Property in a risk zone as defined by order -
Durée de validité
6 months
TERMITE report
-
Type de bien & conditions
Property in an infested zone as defined by order -
Durée de validité
6 months (for sale only)
Gas
-
Type de bien & conditions
Properly for which fixed gas installations over 15 years old -
Durée de validité
SALE: 3 years LET: 6 years
Elec
-
Type de bien & conditions
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Durée de validité
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EPC
-
Informations
EPC: Energy Performance Certificate (French acronym: DPE) -
Type de bien & conditions
Any constructed real estate if it has a means of heating -
Durée de validité
10 years except in the event of works which may have an impact on the property’s energy performance
Plomb
-
Type de bien & conditions
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Durée de validité
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Mathieu Gaurin and the entire Enlighten Real Estate team carry out some or all of the diagnostic surveys and inspections required of you when selling or letting your property, or carrying out works on it. They are certified diagnostic surveyors, independent experts and reliable professionals at your service in particular in Pays Genevois, Annecy, Saint Julien en Genevois, Gex, Pays de Gex, Haut Bugey, Oyonnax, Bellegarde-sur-Valserine and Valserhone.
Saint Julien en Genevois,
Gex,
Pays de Gex,
Haut Bugey,
Oyonnax,
Bellegarde-sur-Valserine
and Valserhone.
History & Philosophy
Buying a property is one of the most important commitments you make in your life. You may think that clients spend a lot of time on it. In reality, however, the decision is made in just a few minutes after visiting the chosen property just twice, on average. While the budget, location, view, aspect, arrangement of rooms, number of square metres and apparent condition of the property may be considered long and hard, the technical assessment of the property is often completely overlooked as people do not know enough about the regulations and the state of the art to properly appraise the real condition of the property. But who wants to find out too late that their wonderful house with a view over a lake or the sea is in fact contaminated with asbestos?
But who wants to find out too late that their wonderful house with a view over a lake or the sea is in fact contaminated with asbestos?
Yet this is what almost happened to the family of Enlighten Real Estate’s founder, Mathieu Gaurin! After homing in on a 175 m² house with a breathtaking view over Lake Annecy, a magnificent fireplace and all the criteria they could wish for, he made an offer which was accepted by the vendor. However, during the three visits, and despite his requests, the estate agent never handed over the technical diagnostics file (also called the “DDT” Dossier de Diagnostic Technique). He had, however, pointed out here and there, “a few fibre-cement pipes in good condition”, “which could possibly contain asbestos in an inert form” and therefore “posed no danger” to his family. The asbestos report was, apparently, “being written”. However, being more preoccupied by the layout of the living space, the phasing of the renovation works to be carried out and the financing plan, he paid no more attention than that to this technical “detail” which, to him, seemed minor.
48 hours before signature of the sale agreement, Mathieu Gaurin finally received the famous DDT and when he was about to sign it, he was shocked to discover that the coatings on all the internal walls contained asbestos. In other words, this meant that putting even the smallest nail in the wall to hang a picture would endanger him and his family. So much for his plans to tear down some of the internal walls… After quickly consulting some specialist contractors, it turned out that getting rid of the asbestos would involve an additional cost of around 10% of the value of the property. This made this real-estate investment prohibitively expensive for the Gaurin family, who decided not to pursue the purchase.
Against the backdrop of this experience, in January 2021, Mathieu Gaurin decided to launch his diagnostic survey business as a franchisee of the Dekra Diagnostic Immobilier network. His objective is to allow everyone to:
- Make an informed decision when buying or leasing a property;
- Operate in a healthy and safe property market;
- Guarantee excellent health conditions;
- Manage costs and safety conditions during renovations.
To this end, Mathieu Gaurin and the members of the Enlighten Real Estate team are all holders of the certifications required to conduct a detailed, precise and rigorous inspection of your property. They undergo regular training to ensure that they are always up to date with regulatory changes and the latest techniques. They commit to being responsive, friendly, thorough and honest in the performance of their work. Their expertise is insured by a professional liability policy from MMA. Like the Dekra group, of which they are franchisees, they have the following values:
- Impartiality, transparency & integrity
- Efficiency, discretion & courtesy
- Commitment, rigour & proximity
The DEKRA group’s profile:
92 years old
Turnover of 3.2 billion
42,000 employees
Present in over 50 countries
on 5 continents
The DEKRA group is the European leader in the inspection, certification, services and management of claims in the areas of vehicles, transport and industry. It is 100% owned by a professional association. This is your guarantee of independence from the financial market.
The company’s commitments & social responsibility
We like chocolate. A lot. And because our planet is the only one where there’s chocolate, we have decided to protect it by what we do day to day and by our major annual commitments. We base our actions on the three pillars of sustainable development: the environment, society and the economy.
Here, then, are our top 8 commitments:
Social
Environment
Environment
Local economy
Environment
Environment
Social
Environment
FAQ
What is a diagnostic survey?
- presence or absence of asbestos;
- energy performance (French acronym: DPE );
- risk of lead exposure;
- condition of the electrical installation if more than 15 years old;
- condition of the gas installation if more than 15 years old;
- status with regard to natural and technological risks.
- the condition of on-site sewage systems for one-family houses;
- the presence or absence of termites;
- noise for property located in zones close to an airport. These zones are defined by the Noise Exposure Plan for airports (French acronym: PEB) stipulated in article L.112-6 of the Urban Development Code.
What happens in a diagnostic survey?
What are the objectives of a diagnostic survey?
- To protect the health of occupants and the local population,
- To ensure the safety of people and property,
- To act in favour of sustainable development and particularly environmental protection,
- To guarantee the transparency and objectivity of information in transactions,
- To help fully inform the buyer or tenant,
- To relieve the vendor of their responsibilities with regard to hidden defects.
What can a diagnostic surveyor do?
How much does a diagnostic survey cost?
What are the different types of diagnostic survey?
- Lead exposure risk survey: The lead exposure risk survey (French acronym: CREP) is a document which provides information about the presence of lead in a home. It concerns solely homes built before 1949. Lead is generally found in old paintwork in these homes.
- Asbestos report: The asbestos report is a diagnostic investigation which allows the presence or absence of materials or substances containing asbestos in the premises to be identified. Before carrying out works exposing workers on the site to risks of asbestos exposure, the locations of the asbestos need to be identified by a surveyor. This asbestos location identification must meet certain technical conditions.
When do I need a diagnostic survey?
For how long are the various diagnostic surveys valid?
Sale | Let | ||
---|---|---|---|
Lead | 1 year | 6 years | Unlimited if none |
Asbestos | 3 years | 3 years | Unlimited if none |
Termites | 6 months | Not applicable | |
Gas[1] | 3 years | 6 years | |
Energy[2] | 10 years | 10 years | |
Electricity[3] | 3 years | 6 years |
As a purchaser or tenant of a property, when should I receive the diagnostic reports?
What should I do if I suspect that there is asbestos in my home?
How do I prepare my property to get the best results for my diagnostic survey?
- Prepare all the necessary documents: energy consumption bills (electricity, wood, oil, gas), the floor plans of the property and, as applicable, previous diagnostic reports.
- Ensure that the spaces are clear so that the surveyor can take accurate measurements and move easily without injury and without damaging anything, as the surveyor must be able to access each room unimpeded. If the surveyor is unable to access an area, you cannot hold them liable if the buyer takes recourse against you later in the event of a hidden defect. You will therefore be fully liable.
- Check that it is possible to turn off the electricity for a few minutes without risking any injury to people or damage to goods in the premises.
- Know how to stop and start the boiler, if there is one.
- Confirm that the flexible pipes have not reached the end of their service life. If they have, they need to be changed before the surveyor’s visit.
- Put a plug on all shut-off valves without an appliance connected.
- Ensure all electrical sockets are mounted on the walls.
What documents should be appended to the deeds of sale?
- An asbestos report for homes from before 1 July 1997;
- An energy performance certificate (DPE) less than 10 years old;
- A termite report in areas subject to a specific prefectoral order;
- An electricity report if the installation is more than fifteen years old;
- A gas report if the installation is more than fifteen years old;
- A lead report (CREP) for pre-1949 buildings;
- A risk and pollution report (French acronym: ERP) (formerly called ESRIS and ERNMT);
- A certificate of the dimensions of the private area (Carrez Law) for co-ownership units.