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For several years, legislation has aimed to make France’s housing stock more environmentally friendly, notably by tackling “thermal sieves” : poorly insulated or highly energy-consuming homes.
The January 1st of 2026 marks an important milestone in this effort: regulations affecting both individual homes and multi-unit buildings will change, impacting homeowners, landlords, tenants, and construction professionals alike.
MAIN REGULATORY CHANGES AS OF 1st JANUARY 2026
New method for calculating the Energy Performance Diagnosis (EPD)
- The electricity conversion factor used to calculate the primary energy consumption of electrically heated homes will decrease from 2.3 to 1.9.
- With this new calculation, approximately 850,000 homes currently rated F or G (out of G) are expected to benefit from an improved rating, without any renovation work.
- In practice, this change will allow some electrically heated homes to exit the “energy-inefficient” category, which will have a direct impact on their attractiveness, rental value, and resale potential.
Extension of mandatory EPD requirements for multi-unit buildings
- For co-owned buildings with fewer than 50 units, a collective DPE will become mandatory as of 1st January 2026.
- This means that all units in a multi-unit building—including small co-owned properties—will now be subject to this energy assessment.
Public support changes for energy renovation
- The MaPrimeRénov’ scheme is being revised: several “single-action” subsidies will be phased out. For example, wall insulation (internal or external) and the installation of biomass boilers (wood or pellets) will no longer be eligible under the single-action pathway. Additionally, the bonus incentivising the exit from an F or G “energy sieve” rating through a simple action will be removed.
- The goal is to encourage more global renovation projects that deliver significant energy savings.
- As part of the 2026 budget, an important measure may be extended: the exemption on intrafamily donations (up to €100,000 per donor) to finance renovation works on the primary residence. This could encourage the use of family funds to support renovation projects.
IMPACTS AND IMPLICATIONS BY PROFILE
For homeowners (Owner-Occupiers)
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Greater flexibility: an electrically heated home that is well insulated or equipped with an efficient heating system may improve its EPD rating without any work—enhancing its value and energy comfort.
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Increased incentives to undertake global renovations rather than isolated interventions, in order to maximise energy gains and potentially access more advantageous financial support.
For landlords & rental properties
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Some properties may remain eligible for rental without renovations thanks to the new EPD calculation, reducing regulatory pressure in the short term.
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In the longer term, renovation requirements for properties still rated F or G could return (or remain), especially if the property is still a “true energy sieve.”
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A good energy rating is increasingly becoming a key value driver in the rental market: higher rents, greater attractiveness, and better resale prospects.
For Multi-Unit Buildings / Co-Owned Properties
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Mandatory collective EPDs—including for small buildings—will enhance energy transparency across the multi-unit housing stock.
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If a building remains poorly rated, this may lead to large-scale insulation or renovation works, potentially involving collective decisions within the co-ownership structure.
Important: an improved EPD score resulting only from the updated calculation method does not in any way enhance the actual energy performance of the property.
Sources :
https://www.economie.gouv.fr/actualites/un-nouveau-dpe-au-1er-janvier-2026-pour-favoriser-le-chauffage-electrique
https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/politiques-publiques/diagnostic-performance-energetique-dpe