Energy-inefficient homes: the French cities under rental market pressure

On a January Tuesday morning, in a one-bedroom flat in central Lille, the radiator has been running for hours, yet condensation is still streaming down the bedroom window. The tenant checks the meter, then the cold wall beside the sofa. Elsewhere, the landlord opens the post with a different concern: within a few years, this property may no longer be lettable in its current condition. The same situation is playing out in thousands of older buildings, from Paris to Mulhouse and from Roubaix to Saint-Étienne. As the least energy-efficient homes are progressively barred from the rental market, this is no longer a hypothetical issue. In some towns and cities, almost one home in four is affected, or could be following a fresh assessment. France’s map holds a few unexpected findings, too.

Cities where energy-inefficient homes weigh heavily on the rental market

Parisian Haussmann façades may be appealing, but the reality behind them is often less picturesque: ageing windows, poorly insulated walls, small top-floor homes and outdated electric heating. Properties rated F or G, commonly called energy-inefficient homes, are especially prevalent within this older housing stock. Lille, Roubaix, Amiens, Nancy, Strasbourg, Lyon, Bordeaux and Saint-Étienne are also among the places where the proportion of energy-hungry properties remains high. Figures differ according to the data source and the year of the assessment, but the pattern is unchanged: in some areas, a share of poorly rated homes close to, or above, 25% is far from unusual.

In Lille, narrow terraced houses and small blocks built before 1948 account for part of the issue. Data from energy performance certificates shows that F and G ratings can make up nearly a quarter of housing in certain historic districts, although the figures can differ sharply from one street to the next. In Paris, studios and former maid’s rooms are particularly exposed because their small floor area can sometimes adversely affect the DPE calculation. A flat may appear delightful during a twenty-minute viewing; in February, as temperatures fall, the experience can quickly feel much less pleasant.

The timetable is now established: G-rated homes have been prohibited from being newly let since 1 January 2025, F-rated properties will follow from 2028, and E-rated homes in 2034. This process could remove a substantial portion of rental supply in cities dominated by older buildings. A poor DPE does not invariably reflect every aspect of life in a property, but it already affects its price, its ability to be let and its future. Landlords face the cost of improvement works. Tenants face the very real prospect of affordable homes disappearing.

Checks before renting or buying that can prevent an unwelcome surprise

The first step is to request the full DPE, rather than relying solely on the letter displayed in the listing. Check the estimated consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, heating system, wall insulation and the date on which the assessment was completed. A DPE produced before methodological changes may sometimes be replaced or amended, particularly for certain small homes. Checking its date genuinely matters. Where available, it is also worthwhile requesting previous occupants’ energy bills: they do not replace the assessment, but they provide a more human picture of everyday reality.

A common mistake is to be reassured by fresh paint, a new kitchen or an attractive photograph taken in bright sunshine. These features matter, of course, but they will not warm a poorly insulated bedroom. Let us be honest: nobody really checks thermal bridges or reads the technical appendices to a tenancy agreement every day. Even so, a viewing late in the day, ideally in winter, often reveals a great deal. You can feel the walls around the windows, listen for street noise, ask about service charges and look for signs of damp behind furniture.

For a landlord, the answer is not always to rush into works. In a shared-ownership building, external insulation, roof works or communal heating require votes, funding and sometimes several years of preparation. For a tenant, keeping written correspondence and meter readings can be useful in the event of a dispute over the property’s comfort or fitness for habitation.

“Since 1 January 2025, a home with a G DPE rating can no longer be offered for rent, except in specific circumstances provided for by the regulations.”

• Check the DPE letter and the date it was issued;
• Ask which works have already been approved or are planned by the co-ownership;
• Compare the rent against the likely heating cost;
• Establish whether the property is subject to a rent freeze.

A map that also reflects the housing crisis

The geography of energy-inefficient homes often overlaps with that of high-pressure cities, where finding somewhere to live is already an obstacle course. In Paris, Lille, Lyon and Bordeaux, removing too many properties from the market too quickly could intensify pressure on rents. In Saint-Étienne, Mulhouse and some medium-sized towns, the issue takes another form: lower purchase prices do not always offset the cost of a full refurbishment. The balance between climate urgency, tenant protection and the actual means available to small landlords remains delicate. This map identifies more than badly heated homes: it reveals lives dependent on renovation work, a general meeting vote or a bank loan.

Key point	Detail	Benefit for the reader
Most exposed cities	Paris, Lille, Roubaix, Amiens, Lyon, Bordeaux, Strasbourg and Saint-Étienne have large numbers of older homes.	Identify the markets where the risk of rental stock being withdrawn is greatest.
Ban timetable	G since 2025, F in 2028 and E in 2034, subject to the rules and exemptions in force.	Plan a tenancy, purchase or renovation without leaving it until the last minute.
Sound approach	Read the complete DPE, ask about service charges and request details of planned building works.	Avoid mistaking an appealing flat for a genuinely comfortable home.