A real estate project is not just about finding a property or posting an ad online. Behind every sale, every rental, there is a technical file to be prepared, up-to-date diagnostics, and legal obligations that sometimes change along the way. This is precisely where the services of a real estate agency make a difference, absorbing the regulatory complexity so that the owner or buyer can move forward without obstacles.
Energy Performance Certificate (DPE) and new conversion coefficient: what changes the game for a sale
Since January 1, 2026, the electricity conversion coefficient used in the calculation of the DPE has changed from 2.3 to 1.9. This technical change has very concrete consequences: some homes heated by electricity change energy class without any work.
Do you have an apartment classified as F that moves to E thanks to the new calculation? This could be enough to unblock a sale or keep a property rented, since rental prohibitions target the lowest classes. The stakes are significant.
ADEME now offers a free update of the DPE for diagnostics affected by this recalculation. Several properties can obtain a new certificate without a diagnostician having to return on-site. For an owner managing alone, identifying whether their DPE is eligible for this update, then leveraging the new class in their ad and sales file, requires time and active regulatory monitoring.
By going through the services of Immo Planet, this verification is integrated into the preparation of the file. The agency identifies the affected properties, guides the owner towards the right procedure, and adjusts the marketing strategy based on the new energy label.
Co-ownerships and collective DPE: an expanded obligation in 2026
The collective DPE now also applies to small co-ownerships built before 2013. This extension creates a new challenge for co-owners who wish to sell or rent their unit.
Why is this point so delicate? Because the collective DPE sometimes conditions the validity of the individual DPE. A property manager who delays initiating the process can postpone the sale of an apartment. The selling owner then finds themselves in a blocking situation that they did not cause.
A structured real estate support helps anticipate this type of situation. The agency checks, from the moment of taking the mandate, where the co-ownership stands regarding its diagnostic obligations. If the collective DPE has not yet been carried out, it can alert the owner and help them contact the property manager in advance, before the absence of documentation hinders a potential buyer.
Verification points before putting a unit up for sale
- Confirm that the collective DPE of the co-ownership is completed or in progress, and check its validity date
- Ensure that the individual DPE of the unit takes into account the new conversion coefficient if heating is electric
- Gather the minutes of general meetings mentioning any voted energy works, as they influence buyers’ perceptions
Tourist rentals: a strengthened registration that complicates rental management
Seasonal rentals also have their share of new developments. In 2026, the registration of tourist rentals on the national online service has been strengthened, including for properties already declared at the town hall. An owner who has been renting their property on a platform for several years may find themselves in violation without knowing it.
This tightening affects both rental investors and owners who occasionally rent a secondary property. The registration process is not complex in itself, but it requires awareness of its existence and timely execution.
For an agency managing rentals, this type of obligation is part of daily operations. Regulatory monitoring is integrated into the rental management service, which prevents the owner from discovering a compliance issue on the day a tenant or platform raises it.
What this registration concretely changes
The national online service centralizes declarations. Each tourist rental receives a registration number that must appear on the listings. Without this number, the publication of the listing may be refused by the rental platform.
An owner who entrusts their rental management to a professional does not have to follow these developments themselves. The agency updates the declarations, checks the compliance of the listings, and keeps the necessary documents in case of an audit.
Real estate project and securing the file: the concrete role of an agency
Beyond diagnostics, a solid real estate file reduces the risk of late renegotiation or cancellation. A buyer who discovers an expired DPE after signing the preliminary agreement, or a co-ownership unit lacking the collective diagnosis, will have a legitimate reason to lower their offer or even withdraw.
The support of an agency consists of anticipating these friction points:
- Verify the validity and consistency of each diagnostic before the sale, not after the first visit
- Adjust the presentation price according to the actual energy class of the property, to avoid a gap between the seller’s expectations and the market reality
- Inform the buyer transparently about the works voted in co-ownership, the projected charges, and the obligations of the unit
- Prepare a complete file from the start, which speeds up the process at the notary’s office
This preparatory work is less visible than a beautiful listing photo, but it is often what ensures that a transaction is completed within the expected timeframe.
A well-prepared real estate project sells faster and with fewer surprises. The regulatory changes of 2026 regarding the DPE, co-ownerships, and tourist rentals make this preparation more technical than before. Entrusting this step to a professional who monitors these changes daily remains the most reliable way to secure your file, whether you are a seller, buyer, or landlord.
