Can an energy sieve still be let?

Since 1er janvier 2025, a home rated G can no longer be put up for let. Class F will follow on 1er janvier 2028 and class E on 1er janvier 2034. A home that is not energy-decent cannot be relet, nor can its lease be renewed as-is.

Can the rent of an energy sieve be increased?

No. For homes rated F or G, any rent increase is blocked, including the annual IRL review, until the energy performance improves.

Is the DPE mandatory to let?

Yes. It must appear in the listing and be annexed to the lease. Being enforceable, an incorrect DPE can engage the landlord’s liability.

DPE and letting: energy decency and energy sieves

Updated on August 24, 2026 · 7 min read

The DPE (energy performance certificate) has become central to letting: enforceable, it governs the right to let. The most energy-hungry homes — passoires thermiques (energy sieves / poorly-insulated homes) — are gradually banned from letting, and their rents are frozen. Anticipating avoids ending up with an unlettable property.

An enforceable DPE

The DPE rates a home from A (very efficient) to G (very energy-hungry). Since its reform it is enforceable: the tenant can act against the landlord where there is a clear gap with reality. It must appear in the listing and be annexed to the lease.

The ban timetable

The loi Climat et Résilience (Climate and Resilience Act) progressively excludes passoires thermiques (energy sieves) from letting, under décence énergétique (energy decency). In mainland France, the timetable is as follows:

from 1er janvier 2025: homes rated G can no longer be put up for let (the most energy-hungry G-rated homes were already excluded since 2023);
from 1er janvier 2028: it will be the turn of F-rated homes;
from 1er janvier 2034: E-rated homes will in turn be affected.

What the ban means in practice

A home that has become energy-non-decent can no longer be the subject of a new lease. A tenant already in place may stay, but can require the landlord to carry out the works needed to make the home decent, and the lease cannot be renewed as-is at its term.

Deadlines may differ in the overseas territories. The reference rating is the DPE valid at the time the home is put up for let.

The rent freeze on energy sieves

Passoires thermiques (energy sieves, classes F and G) can no longer have their rent increased: neither the annual IRL review nor a rise on reletting. The rent stays frozen until the energy performance is improved.

Renovate to keep letting

Insulation, changing the heating, ventilation: improving the DPE lets you leave energy-sieve status, unfreeze the rent and secure the right to let. Such works are, moreover, deductible under the actual regime and can create a property deficit.

Frequently asked questions

Can an energy sieve still be let?: Since 1er janvier 2025, a home rated G can no longer be put up for let. Class F will follow on 1er janvier 2028 and class E on 1er janvier 2034. A home that is not energy-decent cannot be relet, nor can its lease be renewed as-is.
Can the rent of an energy sieve be increased?: No. For homes rated F or G, any rent increase is blocked, including the annual IRL review, until the energy performance improves.
Is the DPE mandatory to let?: Yes. It must appear in the listing and be annexed to the lease. Being enforceable, an incorrect DPE can engage the landlord’s liability.