The energy performance diagnostic (EPD) applies to enclosed and covered buildings, which automatically excludes plots of land, which always fall under the "not subject to EPD" category. Regarding buildings, the exceptions to the mandatory nature of the EPD are listed in Article R126-5 of the French Construction and Housing Code:
- temporary constructions intended for a period of use of two years or less: for example, show homes or exhibition pavilions for property developments for sale, or temporary modular constructions;
- independent buildings with a floor area of less than 50 m²: this applies to individual houses or outbuildings of less than 50 m²*, but not to apartments of less than 50 m² located within a residential building;
- agricultural buildings or parts of buildings used for craft or industrial purposes, other than those used as living quarters;
- buildings constructed for worship: churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, etc.;
- listed historic monuments or those recorded in the national inventory;
- unheated buildings or parts of buildings, or those heated by an open fireplace, with no cooling system;
- residential buildings or parts of buildings intended to be used for a cumulative total of less than four months per year (seasonal rental agreements, holiday homes, etc.);
- mobile homes, which are not considered buildings under the French Construction and Housing Code.
To find out the actual floor area of a property, the tenant may request to consult the Boutin Law measurement.
In all of these situations, there is no need to contact certified surveyors to carry out an energy performance diagnostic!