FRA9 FILE · French property
Co-ownership and surveys: read before buying
The papers that reveal fees, disputes, approved works, energy performance and building risks.
See the essentials at a glance
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key points: DPE · Procès-verbaux · Charges · Travaux votés
PROPERTY DOSSIER LAB · 6 CHOICES
Read the building before you sign
Describe the property and your plan. FRA9 orders the papers to obtain, risks to price and authority to check — without replacing the notaire, certified surveyor or technical inspection.Before offering
2Check the DPE, not only its letter
Read the modelled consumption, emissions, cost estimate, recommendations and report identifier.
Why it matters
The individual DPE describes the dwelling; a collective DPE does not automatically replace it.
Check the address in Géorisques
Compare the risk statement in the file with the address result in Géorisques and keep the dated output.
Why it matters
Flood, clay shrink-swell, mining or technological risks and coastal retreat depend on location.
Before the preliminary contract
6Read the gas and electrical surveys
If an installation is over 15 years old or its age is unknown, obtain the applicable report and price safety works.
Why it matters
Building age does not prove installation age; request renovation invoices and certificates.
Check asbestos before 1997
Read the asbestos report and identify affected materials before pricing or starting works.
Why it matters
Scope depends in particular on the permit date; not seeing asbestos is not a survey.
Read three years of meetings and accounts
Reconcile minutes, rules, summary sheet, maintenance log, charges, arrears, works fund, DTG and the draft or adopted ten-year works plan.
Why it matters
Low current charges can hide a façade, roof, lift or energy project already under discussion.
Read the complete DDT
Obtain the file attached to the preliminary contract and check the date, address, lot and certification on each survey.
Why it matters
The list varies by property, age, installations and location; a tick in the listing does not replace the reports.
Check the surveyor
Use the public directory to check the certificates that match the supplied surveys.
Why it matters
The report must come from a professional certified for that field.
Connect the collective DPE and works plan
Request the current collective DPE and draft or adopted works plan, then identify votes, quotes and cash calls.
Why it matters
In metropolitan France, collective DPE duties cover co-ownership buildings of up to 50 lots with permits filed before 2013 from 2026. The duty starts in 2028 in Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Réunion and Mayotte.
Before works / completion
0The clear answer
The DDT does not certify that a home is defect-free: it bundles regulated reports whose scope depends on the property. For a flat, read it with co-ownership accounts, meeting minutes and the works programme.
Choose the right route
Before offering, check the address in Géorisques and read the DPE. Before the preliminary contract, reconcile the DDT, rules, summary sheet, three years of minutes, charges, arrears, works fund, DTG and draft or adopted works plan. Before completion, price the risks and write essential conditions into the file.
Steps in order
Before offering, check the address in Géorisques and read the DPE. Before the preliminary contract, reconcile the DDT, rules, summary sheet, three years of minutes, charges, arrears, works fund, DTG and draft or adopted works plan. Before completion, price the risks and write essential conditions into the file. The papers that reveal fees, disputes, approved works, energy performance and building risks.
Documents to prepare
For an E, F or G house or single-owner building in metropolitan France, check the applicable energy audit. Before 1949, look for CREP; before July 1997, asbestos. For gas and electricity, installation age—not merely building age—matters. A house also needs a drainage check.
Budget and timing
For an E, F or G house or single-owner building in metropolitan France, check the applicable energy audit. Before 1949, look for CREP; before July 1997, asbestos. For gas and electricity, installation age—not merely building age—matters. A house also needs a drainage check. Do not budget only for the headline fee or purchase price; include translation, tax, insurance, advice, maintenance and delay reserves.
Risks and traps
Low current charges do not prove a low-cost building: roof, façade, lift, arrears, disputes or energy works can appear in minutes and the works plan. Renovation affecting structure, common parts or external appearance may require a vote and planning approval.
Your checklist
Co-ownership and surveys: read before buying: DPE · Procès-verbaux · Charges · Travaux votés. Keep the official link, deadline, responsible person and written proof for every item in one table.
Frequently asked questions
Does the DDT guarantee that the home has no defects?
No. It bundles regulated reports whose scope depends on the property. You still need to read each report, inspect the home technically and connect the findings to co-ownership records, address risks and planned works.
Which co-ownership papers should I read before the preliminary contract?
Review the rules and division statement, summary sheet, three years of meeting minutes, maintenance log, charges and arrears, works fund, any DTG and the draft or adopted ten-year works plan.
When is an energy audit required on sale?
In metropolitan France it applies to the sale of an E, F or G house or single-owner residential building. It does not automatically apply to the sale of one co-owned flat; verify the exact case with the notaire and official source.
Does a collective DPE replace the flat’s DPE?
Not automatically. The collective DPE describes the building, while the individual DPE considers the dwelling. Read both with the works plan and general-meeting decisions.
Can I start renovation immediately after purchase?
Not always. Work affecting structure, common parts or external appearance may require a co-ownership vote and planning approval. Confirm the approval order before signing contractor quotes.
Editorial responsibility and change log
Publication team: FRA9 · Editorial lead: Pınar Mehmet
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