DPE class G: no new lease since January 1, 2025

What the law says

Since January 1, 2025, a home rated G on its DPE no longer meets the energy performance criterion of a decent home (article 6 of the law of 6 July 1989). It can no longer be let under a lease signed, renewed or tacitly renewed from that date.

In Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, La Réunion and Mayotte, the same rule applies from January 1, 2028.

The current lease

Your tenant does not have to leave: the current lease goes on. But the home must be decent when the lease is renewed or tacitly renewed, and the tenant can ask for it to be brought up to standard at any time.

Failing an agreement, they can refer the matter to the departmental conciliation commission, then to a judge, who can order the works or reduce the rent (article 20-1). If they receive housing benefit, they can also report it to the CAF or the MSA.

The rent is frozen

A G home is also under the rent freeze since August 24, 2022 in mainland France: no IRL review, no increase at renewal, and a new tenant pays no more than the previous one.

What you can do

• Carry out energy renovation works (insulation, windows, ventilation, heating), then have a new DPE drawn up: it is the proof of the new class.
• Get free advice from France Rénov' (0 808 800 700), the public home-renovation service, on works and grants.
• Electrically heated home: the coefficient for electricity in the DPE has been lowered, and the class may go up a notch without works. Updating it is free on ADEME's DPE observatory, with no new visit.
• In a co-ownership: ask for the works on the common parts to be put on the general meeting's agenda. If you show you could not reach the required level despite your efforts, the judge cannot order the works, but can reduce the rent.