Energy Performance and Property Sales in 2026: What Does the DPE Mean for Your Home Around Haverskerque?
When preparing to sell a house in Haverskerque, Saint-Venant, Morbecque or Merville, owners often ask:
“Does the energy performance rating really matter when selling?”
Yes. It can influence how buyers perceive the property, their budget and negotiations.
However, its importance depends on the property’s condition, price, location and the buyer’s plans. For a period house, traditional farmhouse or property with outbuildings, energy performance needs to be considered alongside the home’s other characteristics.
What Is the DPE?
The Diagnostic de Performance Énergétique, or DPE, is France’s energy performance assessment. It evaluates a home’s energy and climate performance using a regulated calculation method.
It provides information about:
Calculated energy consumption under standard conditions.
Greenhouse gas emissions.
Estimated energy expenditure for standard use.
Recommended improvements.
Ratings range from A to G. The final class considers both energy consumption and emissions, with the less favourable result determining the overall rating.
| Rating | Simplified description |
|---|---|
| A | Highest level of performance |
| B | High level of performance |
| C | Relatively efficient |
| D | Intermediate level |
| E | Low level of performance |
| F | Very inefficient, described in France as a “passoire énergétique” |
| G | Lowest level of performance, also described as a “passoire énergétique” |
These descriptions are reading aids rather than substitutes for the official rating thresholds.
Calculated consumption does not necessarily match actual bills, which also depend on occupants’ habits and how the property is used.
When Is a DPE Required for a Sale?
A DPE is required for most residential property sales, with certain statutory exemptions.
It must be carried out by a certified assessor. Where required, its results provide the energy information for the sale advertisement. The report is included in the technical diagnostic file attached to the preliminary sale agreement or, where there is no such agreement, the final deed.
It should therefore be arranged when preparing the marketing, rather than left until the preliminary agreement.
DPE reports issued since 1 July 2021 are generally valid for ten years. Older reports were subject to transitional validity periods, so their validity should be checked before use.
Why Can Energy Performance Affect Price and Negotiation?
Buyers consider more than the asking price. They also assess:
Heating expenses.
Comfort.
Potential renovation work.
How that work will be financed.
Letting restrictions if they intend to invest.
A favourable energy rating can strengthen a property’s appeal. Substantial work may reduce the amount a buyer can allocate to the purchase.
There is no automatic discount that applies to every house. The same rating can have different effects depending on the local market, property condition and competing homes.
Energy Audits: What Is Required When Selling?
In metropolitan France, a statutory energy audit is required for certain sales, notably individual houses and residential buildings under single ownership rated E, F or G, subject to applicable exceptions.
The requirement applies to:
F- and G-rated properties since 1 April 2023.
E-rated properties since 1 January 2025.
The audit complements the DPE. It sets out renovation scenarios, estimated costs and expected performance.
The audit does not, by itself, require the seller to complete the work before selling. It helps buyers understand possible improvements and prepare their budgets.
The same requirement should not automatically be applied to an apartment within a co-owned building. The property’s circumstances must be checked.
What Changed in the DPE Calculation in 2026?
Since 1 January 2026, the factor used to convert electricity into primary energy has fallen from 2.3 to 1.9.
This can improve the rating of some homes, particularly those using electric heating.
Two points are important:
An improvement in rating is not guaranteed.
With the property’s characteristics unchanged, this adjustment alone does not worsen the rating.
A better rating resulting from the new calculation does not mean the home has been renovated or that its bills have automatically fallen.
For an earlier DPE that remains valid, a free update certificate may be available without another assessment visit, where the conditions are met, through Ademe’s DPE-Audit Observatory.
Is Buying a Home with a Less Favourable Rating Necessarily a Problem?
Not necessarily.
Around Haverskerque, Morbecque, Steenbecque, Boëseghem and Thiennes, period houses, traditional farmhouses and long rural homes can appeal to buyers planning renovation.
The suitability of the project depends on:
Purchase price.
The building’s actual condition.
The cost and feasibility of work.
Technical or heritage constraints.
The buyer’s budget and timetable.
Renovation should be considered as a whole. Insulation, heating and ventilation interact, and changing one component does not guarantee a particular result.
If the buyer intends to let the property, the applicable energy-related housing standards must also be assessed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming a Poor Rating Prevents a Sale
An F or G rating does not, by itself, prohibit a sale. The required documents must nevertheless be provided, and the implications clearly explained.
Underestimating Renovation Costs in Negotiations
Buyers may include energy improvements in their budgets. Quotations and an audit, where required, support a more informed discussion.
Promising an Improvement Without an Assessment
Insulation or a new heating system should not be presented as guaranteeing an improvement of one or more rating classes. The outcome depends on the property and needs assessment.
Confusing a Calculation Update with Renovation
A certificate improving the rating because of the 2026 factor does not replace building work or change the property’s physical condition.
Every Home in the Lys Valley Needs an Individual Assessment
The area covering Haverskerque, Saint-Venant, Morbecque, Merville, Steenbecque, Calonne-sur-la-Lys, Busnes, Guarbecque, Aire-sur-la-Lys and Hazebrouck includes many different property types.
A character home, farmhouse and recently built house may suit very different plans.
A valuation should consider energy performance alongside location, land, outbuildings, condition and comparable completed sales.
The DPE is one part of a valuation, rather than a pricing method on its own.
Preparing Your Sale with a Local Valuation
Before publishing a listing, it is useful to establish:
A reasoned market-value range.
The possible implications of the energy rating.
Required diagnostic reports and documents.
Work or quotations to consider.
A suitable marketing strategy.
My role is to bring these elements together to help you prepare, drawing on qualified professionals for technical questions.
Contact Ophélie Billiau to discuss your circumstances.
Have Questions About Your Home’s Energy Rating and Value?
Do you own a property in Haverskerque, Saint-Venant, Morbecque, Steenbecque, Merville, Thiennes, Boëseghem, Calonne-sur-la-Lys, Busnes, Guarbecque, Aire-sur-la-Lys or Hazebrouck?
I can help you understand the role of the DPE in your plans, assess your property’s value and prepare its sale with clear information.
Request your free valuation or discover the area I cover.
Frequently Asked Questions: Energy Performance and Property Sales
Is a DPE Required to Sell a House?
In most cases, yes. Certain exemptions apply. Where required, it must form part of the technical diagnostic file.
Can You Sell an F- or G-Rated House?
Yes. The rating does not, by itself, prevent a sale. A statutory energy audit is required for the relevant individual houses in metropolitan France.
Does the DPE Affect the Price?
It can influence buyer interest and renovation budgets. Its effect also depends on location, condition and the local market.
Can You Improve a Property’s DPE Rating?
Yes, particularly through appropriate renovation. The proposed work and expected outcome should be assessed by a qualified professional.
Did the Calculation Change in 2026?
Yes. Since 1 January 2026, the electricity conversion factor has been 1.9 rather than 2.3. Some homes may receive a better rating as a result.
Can an Older Farmhouse Sell with a Less Favourable Rating?
Yes, where its price, features and proposed work fit the buyer’s plans.
