Le Dossier de Diagnostic Technique
The Technical Inspection of your Dwelling, in France it is called "Dossier de Diagnostic Technique (DDT)" , is a mandatory document that must be provided by the seller to the buyer This must be given to him at the time of the sales agreement ("Compromise de vente"), then at the authentic deed of sale (Act authentique de vente). This dossier brings together all the technical diagnostics which guarantee the purchaser a good knowledge of the property of which he becomes the owner. The number of technical diagnostics varies according to the type of your property for sale, its date of construction and its location.
The criteria that must be specified in the DDT are: energy performance (DPE) the risk of exposure to lead the presence or absence of asbestos the condition of the electrical installation if it is more than 15 years old the condition of the gas installation if it is more than 15 years old the condition of natural and technological risks. As part of a sale, the diagnosis must also assess: the presence or absence of termites the condition of the non-collective sanitation installation for individual houses and since June 1, 2020, it is also necessary to assess the noise, for real estate located in noise zones around aerodromes (these zones are defined by the Aerodrome Noise Exposure Plan (PEB) provided for in Article L.112-6 of the Urban Planning Code). To find out more on this topic, you can consult the website of the National Consumer Institute (INC). Good to know Although the measurement of the private surface area, called the Carrez law surface area, does not fall within the scope of technical diagnostics, it remains mandatory information when selling a property in co-ownership.
Important Notice: Once the authentic deed of sale has been signed, if the lead, asbestos, termite, gas, electricity or sanitation diagnostics are missing and a defect appears concerning one of these elements, the purchaser can sue the seller for hidden defects. This step may lead to the cancellation of the sale or the restitution of part of the sale price.
Real estate diagnostics: who performs them? With the exception of the diagnosis of natural and technological risks, which can be carried out directly by the owner of the property, other diagnostics must be carried out by a professional diagnostician. The Construction and Housing Code specifies that the diagnostician must present “guarantees of competence” and have an “appropriate organization and means”. Furthermore, the General Directorate for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) reminds us that diagnosticians are required to demonstrate independence and impartiality both with regard to the owner and the real estate agency mandated by the latter to sell or rent their property. These are all obligations that should encourage you to choose your professional carefully. To help you in your choice, you can consult the public directory listing real estate diagnosticians holding a valid certificate of competence.
Real estate diagnostics: how much does it cost? Please note that the price of diagnostics is freely set by each professional. However, it must take into account the surface area of the property being assessed. If a diagnostician offers you a price much lower than that charged by his competitors, be wary. This attractive price may indicate shortcomings, both in terms of the quality and reliability of the service offered.