Home renovation grant rules tightened in France

Homeowners should take extra care when applying for home renovation grants after recent reforms laid out stiff punishments for mistakes on paperwork and stricter rules around those certified to carry out the work.

If important details are left out when applying for grants, the money may have to be repaid along with a penalty of up to 50% of the grant. 

In cases judged to be deliberate fraud, the fine can rise to the full value of the grant in addition to repayment.

Changes have also been made to the Reconnu garant pour l’environnement (RGE) certification required for anyone carrying out energy renovation work that qualifies for government grants, such as with the MaPrimeRénov’ scheme or the prime Certificat d'économies d'énergie (CEE) installation bonus.

Firms must now provide clients with a paper document confirming whether or not they hold the certification, and give details of the certifying agency.

If sub-contractors are used for part or all of the work, the firm must inform clients and state whether the sub-contractors hold RGE certification.

This requirement applies to both service providers, such as architects, and those carrying out physical work. 

It has been introduced to combat the number of firms fraudulently claiming to have RGE status. 

When detected by the bodies responsible for distributing energy efficiency grants, customers have often been left with huge bills.

The changes also introduce new situations in which RGE status can be revoked, such as for poor quality work.

MaPrimeRénov' 

In addition, websites proposing energy renovation work will have to link to the government’s MaPrimeRénov' site.

For most energy renovation grants, a full estimate must be submitted to authorities before homeowners commit to the work. 

It is not yet clear if the paperwork required will also now include a copy of the documents relating to RGE certification.

The reforms are due to take effect in September, coinciding with the planned restart of some suspended MaPrimeRénov' grant schemes.

It remains to be seen how they will impact the number of RGE-certified tradespeople in France. 

This dropped by almost a fifth in 2024, according to figures from energy renovation company Heero, making access to certain renovation works and grants difficult for property owners.

All types of tradespeople who work on property renovations can receive the label, meaning in theory many hundreds of thousands of workers in France can obtain it. However, the high cost – often running into several thousand euros – and complexity of obtaining it puts many off. 

Companies must re-apply for the label every four years.

You can find a list of certified professionals here. 

Other reforms relate to the diagnostic de performance énergétique (DPE) certificates required for selling or renting out properties in France.

Inspectors will now be required to identify themselves with a QR code, and their inspections will be checked against geo-localisation data from the computers they use, to show they were actually at the site the certificate was issued for.