When selling a property, a number of diagnostics must be carried out to inform the potential buyer about the general condition and the health of the dwelling they are about to purchase. Note that these diagnostics also protect the seller from any recourse for hidden defects.
The documents are compiled into a Technical Diagnostics File (TDF), note that their purpose is not to validate or invalidate the sale: their role is strictly informative and does not entail an obligation for the seller to carry out any work. Although mandatory, certain diagnostics are not necessary depending on the geographical area, the age, or the type of dwelling you wish to sell.
What diagnostics must be provided in the event of a sale?
1- Diagnostics to be provided based on the age of the dwelling and installations:
- The asbestos report is only required for buildings whose construction permit predates July 1, 1997. It is used to detect the presence of asbestos in the building and assess the level of risk.
- The gas diagnostic is mandatory if the installation is more than 15 years old. It is used to evaluate the proper functioning of the internal gas installation.
- The electrical diagnostic is also mandatory if the installation is over 15 years old. It is used to assess the condition of the installation and the safety of the inhabitants.
- The lead exposure risk assessment concerns buildings whose construction permit predates January 1, 1949. The expert must ensure that the level of lead in the paints meets the authorized threshold.
2- Diagnostics to be provided according to the type of dwelling:
- The Carrez Law diagnostic is mandatory if the dwelling sold is part of a condominium. The Carrez Law is used to accurately assess the private surface area of at least 1.80 meters in height under the ceiling.
- The individual sanitation diagnostic is necessary when a dwelling is not connected to the collective network. The diagnostic evaluates the conformity of the installation.
3- Diagnostics to be provided according to the presence of risks in your geographical area:
Certain risk areas are defined by prefectural decree, which obliges owners to inform future buyers.
- The termite diagnostic informs about the presence of these pests in the dwelling, a previous infestation, and also potential risks.
- The state of risks and pollution servitudes identifies potential risks of flooding, earthquakes, soil pollution, etc.
Finally, the report on the presence of dry rot informs the buyer about the presence of this fungus.
4- Mandatory diagnostic to be provided in all cases
The EPC or Energy Performance Diagnostic is used to assess the energy consumption of the dwelling and its greenhouse gas emissions.
When should the technical diagnostics be carried out?
At the latest, the diagnostics must be included in the TDF annexed to the sales agreement. The EPC is a special case as it is carried out before the property is put up for sale.
Indeed, the energy scale of the dwelling is mandatorily annexed to the sales announcement.
It is recommended to carry them out as soon as possible: some information is likely to enrich the information disseminated on your dwelling, some potential buyers may request them at the time of the visit. Finally, detecting a problem will allow you to correct it before the sales agreement, thus avoiding losing a potential buyer at the last moment.
Updated date : 01/12/23
Creation date : 14/08/19
