Which documents should I prepare for the DPE visit?

Gather the envelope evidence (wall, loft, floor and window insulation invoices with the R-value and date), the systems (boiler, heat pump, hot-water tank, ventilation), the construction year (permit, deed, property-tax notice) and, in a condominium, the managing-agent documents (collective DPE, maintenance log, AGM minutes). Each one avoids a penalising default value.

Am I required to give these documents to the assessor?

No, no list is imposed on the owner. But without evidence, the assessor applies "by definition penalising" default values: an insulated wall is counted as bare, a window as single glazing. Providing the proof describes the home as it really is.

Do I need a previous DPE to use the tool?

No. The tool does not ask for your DPE. If you enter your address, it finds the last known DPE of the building to flag the characteristics that would have been estimated by default — useful precisely if you have renovated since and the old DPE is no longer reliable.

How does the condominium cross-reference work?

For a flat, the tool aggregates — anonymised and only beyond 4 comparable homes — the shared characteristics of the building (heating energy, façade insulation, construction year) from the other units’ DPE. This feature is reserved for subscribers.

Is my home affected by the rental restrictions?

Homes rated G are affected from 2025, F from 2028 and E from 2034 (energy decency). A well-prepared DPE that credits real improvements can avoid an unfairly low rating and its rental consequences.

DPE visit checklist

Generate the list of documents to gather before the assessor’s visit — for a DPE that describes your home as it is, not as the method assumes by default.

FreeBased on the official 3CL methodFrance + condominium

Why prepare for your visit?

Since 2021, the DPE is calculated from the dwelling’s technical characteristics, and every unjustified piece of data falls back on a "by definition penalising" default value: an insulated wall is counted as bare, a window as single glazing. Gathering your supporting documents avoids this underestimation.

Read the full guide: preparing for your DPE inspection

Your property

A few questions to tailor your checklist

Answer (or leave "I don’t know"): the list adapts to your home. With your address, these answers are pre-filled from your DPE.

Heating

Heating energy

Hot water

Position in the building

Ventilation

Recent works (optional) — to prioritise the evidence

Personalise with your address

You don’t need to already have a DPE: we find the last known DPE of your building to prioritise the characteristics that would have been estimated "by default" — the ones where your evidence matters most.

Create a free account to personalise your checklist by address.

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Your document checklist

0/7 documents gathered

Gather these documents and hand them to the assessor before the visit. Each one replaces a penalising assumption with the reality of your home.

Envelope and insulation

Wall insulation invoices and certificates (external ETICS or internal ITI), with the thermal resistance R and thickness
Priority
Only needed if applicable (equipment present or works carried out) — otherwise nothing to look for.
Justifies
The real heat-transfer coefficient of the walls (Umur)
Avoids
Wall counted as "uninsulated" for any building from before 1975
Where to find it
The contractor's file, MaPrimeRénov'/CEE subsidy folder, project emails
France Rénov’ (MaPrimeRénov’ account)
Loft / roof insulation invoices (R-value and thickness)
Priority
Only needed if applicable (equipment present or works carried out) — otherwise nothing to look for.
Justifies
The roof heat loss (≈ 25 to 30% of total losses)
Avoids
Roof assumed uninsulated (same "unknown = uninsulated" rule)
Where to find it
The contractor's invoice, RGE certificate
Window / joinery invoices (glazing type, double or triple, installation date)
Priority
Only needed if applicable (equipment present or works carried out) — otherwise nothing to look for.
Justifies
The window coefficient (Uw) and the real glazing type
Avoids
Glazing reduced to single glazing (Ug = 5.8 W/(m².K))
Where to find it
The window fitter's invoice, product datasheet

Systems: heating, hot water, ventilation

Boiler invoices and manual (make, model, year — condensing or not)
Priority
Only needed if applicable (equipment present or works carried out) — otherwise nothing to look for.
Justifies
The type and real efficiency of the heating generator
Avoids
Standard boiler of the construction year (pilot light for pre-2003 buildings)
Where to find it
The installer's invoice, rating plate, manufacturer's manual
Heat-pump technical sheet (make, model) + maintenance certificate
Priority
Only needed if applicable (equipment present or works carried out) — otherwise nothing to look for.
Justifies
The real performance (COP / ETAS) and the heat-pump type
Avoids
Default efficiency, without crediting the real performance
Where to find it
Invoice, manufacturer's product sheet, maintenance contract

Building and administrative

Building permit or proof of construction year (notarial deed, property-tax notice)
Priority
Justifies
The construction period (drives many default values)
Avoids
Year estimated by the assessor, often defaulting to the penalising "pre-1948/1975" assumption
Where to find it
Town hall, notarial deed, property-tax notice
Land registry (cadastre.gouv.fr)My real estate (impots.gouv.fr)
Listed historic monument? It is EXEMPT from the DPE — provide the listing/registration order
Justifies
The DPE exemption for listed or registered historic monuments (CCH art. R126-15)
Avoids
Note: a merely old building (pre-1948) or in a heritage area is NOT exempt
Where to find it
Listing/registration order (prefecture, regional heritage office, sale deed)
CCH art. R126-15 (Légifrance)

Condominium (ask the managing agent)

Tip: most of these documents are available on your condominium’s online space / extranet (managing agent) — check it before contacting the agent.

The building's collective DPE
Priority
Justifies
Your home's shared characteristics (envelope, collective heating/DHW)
Avoids
Shared characteristics calculated by default, which penalises the result
Where to find it
Managing agent (mandatory per the Climate Act timetable)

If you can’t find some documents, contact your managing agent to obtain them:

Need a certified assessor?

The DPE must be carried out by a certified assessor. Find one near you via the ministry’s official directory.

Official directory of assessors

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DPE visit checklist

Why prepare for your visit?

A few questions to tailor your checklist

Personalise with your address