DPE and seasonal rentals: what are the obligations for 2024?

More and more constraints are being placed on the rental market to encourage property owners to undertake energy renovation work. Today, this primarily concerns long-term rentals for primary residences. However, we will see here that new obligations are likely to be applied to seasonal rentals starting in 2024.

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Current obligations regarding the DPE for renting out a property

A mandatory DPE in most cases

To be eligible for rent, the vast majority of properties must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (DPE). Note that the current validity period for a DPE is 10 years. This document is intended to inform the future tenant about the property's energy consumption and its greenhouse gas emissions. This energy audit can have a positive or negative impact on the property's value. It is also planned that properties considered "thermal sieves" will be banned from being rented out by 2025.

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Exceptions for certain types of rentals

Until now, seasonal rentals have been among the rare cases where obtaining a DPE is not mandatory. More specifically, this applies to rentals with a duration not exceeding 120 days, or 4 months. By definition, a seasonal rental is a furnished rental with a duration of 90 days or less. It therefore meets the criteria required to be exempt from DPE-related obligations. Other diagnostics remain mandatory, however, such as the technical diagnostic for the presence of lead or the asbestos diagnostic for properties built before 1997.

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Upcoming changes for DPE in seasonal rentals in 2024

A new bill

On February 10, 2023, a new bill was registered with the Senate. It aims to "restore the balance between residential rentals and seasonal rentals regarding the energy renovation of housing." This implies new obligations such as the inclusion of the DPE in every seasonal rental contract. It is also planned that the change of use of a residential property will be conditional upon indicating its energy rating. Finally, performance criteria will also be established for seasonal rentals. The law is expected to be applied as of January 1, 2024.

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A potential ban applicable to the seasonal rental of thermal sieves

Recent announcements regarding DPE for seasonal rentals suggest that more restrictions will be applied in the future. We know, for instance, that 32% of secondary residences are currently classified as thermal sieves. A large portion of these properties are rented out for tourism purposes. Since the ban on renting out thermal sieves is already planned for primary residences, it would not be surprising if this were extended to short-term rentals. Seasonal rentals could therefore also be affected.

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How can you improve the DPE of a seasonal rental property?

Insulation and ventilation work

Improving a property's DPE primarily involves energy renovation work. Very often, the priority is to reinforce thermal insulation. The roof, walls, windows, and even the floor must be perfectly insulated to reduce heat loss and save energy. Insulation work is generally coupled with the installation of a new ventilation system to optimize air renewal. A dual-flow mechanical ventilation system (VMC) is the gold standard for energy renovation. Finally, consider choosing the right electricity/gas contract to save even more on your bills. For this, contact Hello Watt - your energy advisor.

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Installing new energy equipment

The DPE energy rating takes into account the property's thermal efficiency, but also the performance of the equipment producing energy. This primarily concerns the heating and domestic hot water system. Appliances running on renewable energy, such as heat pumps or pellet boilers, have been heavily promoted in recent years. It is also possible to install solar photovoltaic panels on your roof to produce electricity using sunlight. Furthermore, be aware that solar energy can also be used to power a water heater via thermal panels. All these projects are viable options for improving a property's DPE rating.

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