What the Climate and Resilience Act means for real estate

The Climate and Resilience Actrecently adopted in France, aims to step up the fight against climate change and promote the ecological transition in all sectors of the economy. Real estate, as a key sector of the French economy, is directly concerned by these new regulations. In this article, we examine the main measures of the Climate and Resilience Act and their impact on the real estate sector.

 

1. A ban on renting out energy-saving flats

One of the most important measures in the French Climate and Resilience Act is a ban on renting out homes considered to be "thermal sieves". A thermal sieve is a dwelling with very poor energy performanceoften rated F or G on the energy label. From 2023, it will be forbidden to rent out such homes, which will encourage landlords to carry out energy renovation work to improve their performance.

2. Mandatory energy audits for certain properties

The Climate and Resilience Act also introduces mandatory energy audits for certain properties. Commercial buildings over 1,000 square meters will be required to carry out an energy audit every ten years. This measure is designed to encourage property owners to identify sources of energy waste and implement energy efficiency measures.

3. Tighter building and renovation standards

The French Climate and Resilience Act calls for tighter construction and renovation standards for new and existing buildings. New buildings will have to meet more demanding criteria in terms of energy performance and carbon footprint. For renovations, energy consumption reduction targets will be set, encouraging homeowners to undertake energy-efficient renovation work.

4. Information on the energy performance of homes

The law also requires better information on the energy performance of housing. From now on, property advertisements will have to mention the property's energy rating, enabling future buyers or tenants to factor this aspect into their decision. This measure is designed to raise consumer awareness of the importance of energy efficiency and encourage more sustainable real estate transactions.

5. Extending the ten-year warranty for energy renovation work

The Climate and Resilience Act extends the ten-year warranty for energy renovation work. As a result, energy renovation work will benefit from the same legal protection as new construction work. This provides additional security for homeowners and tenants in the event of poor workmanship or energy performance after the work has been completed.

 

In conclusion, the Climate and Resilience Act brings significant changes to the French real estate sector, focusing on the energy transition and the fight against climate change. Measures such as a ban on the rental of thermal wasteland, mandatory energy audits, stricter construction and renovation standards, information on the energy performance of housing, and the extension of the ten-year warranty for energy renovation work, aim to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and reduce their environmental impact.