In recent weeks, this question has come up at almost every meeting. Landlords who contact me, a little worried, because they've read something about the DPE, the Le Meur law, the rental bans. And they don't really know what to make of it.
I'm going to try to untangle all this clearly. Because the reality is both less catastrophic than people say, and more serious than people think.
The basic problem: the mountain housing stock is energy-inefficient.
It's no secret if you know anything about Savoyard buildings: many of the chalets built in the 70s and 80s were designed to accommodate skiers, not to be models of insulation. Breeze block walls, single glazing, direct electric heating, poorly insulated roofs. Back then, that was good enough.
Today, the rules have changed. And the figures are edifying: according to data published by the FNAIM Savoie-Montblanc at the beginning of 2026, almost 70 % of mountain homes have an EPD between E and G (source: Les Echos / MGM Constructeur, January 2026). In other words, most of the park is affected.
That doesn't mean that everyone should panic. But it does mean that we have to face up to the situation.
What the Le Meur law says - without the jargon
The Le Meur law, enacted on 19 November 2024, introduced major changes for meublés touristiques - i.e. cottages and flats that you rent out on a weekly or weekend basis.
Here is the timetable that I think is essential to remember:
- Since 1 January 2023 - The most energy-intensive homes in class G (above 450 kWh of final energy per m² per year) can no longer be rented under a residential lease.
- From 1 January 2025 - All classified homes G can no longer be rented as tenant's main residence nor within the framework of a Mobility bail, in mainland France.
- From 1 January 2028 - This ban will extend to homes classified as F.
- From 1 January 2034 - It will then be extended to homes classified as E.
- For furnished tourist accommodation, the rule is different: since 21 November 2024, in municipalities where a authorisation for change of use is required, the property must already have an EPD between A and E to obtain this authorisation; from 1st January 2034, it must be classified between A and D. More generally, by the same date, furnished tourist accommodation will have to be classified as A to D to be considered decent, except where the property is the landlord's principal residence.
This last date, 2034, is the one that directly concerns most of the owners I accompany to Samoëns. It may seem a long way off. But between the time it takes to find craftsmen at altitude, the cost of renovation and the administrative procedures, 8 years goes by quickly.
Please note: the rules for calculating the DPE were relaxed slightly in January 2026 to take account of the specific climatic conditions in mountain areas. This is good news, even if it doesn't solve everything.
In concrete terms, which properties are at risk in the Giffre valley?
I'm going to talk about what I see on the ground, not about national statistics.
The most exposed properties, in Samoëns as in Morillon or Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, are often the same: a chalet built before 1990, with 100 % electric convector heating, single-glazed windows and only approximate attic insulation. These properties regularly have an EPD rating of E or F.
Conversely, buildings built after 2010 - subject to RT 2012 - generally fare well. And properties renovated with a heat pump, external insulation and double or triple glazing can easily achieve C or B class ratings.
I am thinking, for example, of Chalet Flocon that I am currently selling in Samoëns: built in 2014 from Douglas fir, it boasts a Class C fuel consumption and Class A CO₂ emissions.. This is exactly the type of property that will not be affected by future restrictions - and who knows, that's also a value argument in the long term.
The impact on prices: it's already here
What has struck me in recent months is that buyers have changed their behaviour. They're looking at the ECD. They really do. Not just for the sake of it.
A property rated F or G starts to trade at a discount - sometimes a significant one. Buyers include the estimated cost of works in their offer. It's logical, it's rational and, frankly, it's normal.
Conversely, a well-classified property becomes a selling point in its own right. Over five years, on average, resort properties have risen by more than 18 % (source: SeLoger/Immoprêt, February 2026), However, the value of these properties is not uniform. Energy-efficient properties are doing better.
Renovating: how much does it really cost?
I'm not going to give you too precise figures because they vary enormously depending on the property and the craftsman. But here are the orders of magnitude that I regularly hear in the valley:
- Attic insulation 3,000 to €8,000 depending on surface area
- Replacing electric heating with an air-to-water heat pump : 10 000 à 18 000 €
- Double glazing throughout the chalet 8,000 to €20,000 depending on the number of openings
- External wall insulation often the most expensive item, €20,000 to €50,000
All in all, a complete renovation to go from an E to a C often runs between 40,000 and €80,000 (source: ADEME, 2025 estimates).
It's not a trivial matter. But there are several forms of assistance that can be combined:
- MaPrimeRénov’ - available to landlords subject to income and type of work conditions
- CEE (Energy Saving Certificates) - often offered directly by tradesmen
- Eco-PTZ - a zero-interest loan of up to €50,000 to finance a comprehensive renovation project
I strongly recommend that you contact the’ANAH or a France Rénov’ advisor’ before making any decisions. They can help you put a figure on the assistance to which you are entitled, depending on your situation.
Selling, renovating or waiting: what should you do?
That's the real question. And frankly, there is no universal answer.
If you plan to sell within 3 to 5 years, A targeted renovation - just heating and loft insulation - can have an interesting return on investment. It often improves the rating by one or two letters and can pay for itself in the selling price.
If you rent on a seasonal basis and your property is in D, You've got plenty of time until 2034. There is no absolute urgency, but now is the right time to anticipate rather than suffer.
If your property is in G, then it's time to take action. You are already outside the legal limits for new rentals.
If you wish to sell as is, It's perfectly possible. You just need to be transparent about the ECD and set a price that takes this into account. Buyers are looking for properties to renovate - as long as the price reflects the reality of the work involved. It's my job to help you find the right balance.
In conclusion, the ECD is not an abstract threat reserved for cities. It's coming to the mountains, and it's already reshaping property values in the Giffre Valley.
The good news is that you still have time to act intelligently - provided you don't wait until 2033 to start thinking about it.
If you have any questions about the ECD for your property in Samoëns, what it means for a sale or for your holiday let, don't hesitate to contact me. It's exactly the sort of subject we can explore together, with no obligation.
Valérie Casartelli - Alpimmorama Estate agent in Samoëns for over 15 years 📞 +33 (0)6 17 76 62 44 - info@alpimmorama.com Request your free marketing audit →
Sources used in this article:
- FNAIM Savoie-Montblanc / Les Echos / MGM Constructeur - Mountain property market, January 2026
- SeLoger / Immoprêt - Property in the mountains: still a popular sector, February 2026
- ADEME - Energy renovation cost estimates, 2025
- Le Meur Act of 19 November 2024 - official text
- Alpes Studio / Chalet Collection - Alpine property market trends 2026
