Shutters, air conditioning, exposure: heatwaves change the criteria for searching for accommodation

The succession of heat waves is beginning to change the criteria for searching for accommodation. Beyond price, location or energy performance certificate (EPC), some candidates are now paying more specific attention to living conditions during periods of high temperatures.

The orientation of the accommodation, its floor, the possibility of creating air currents, the presence of shutters or air conditioning, but also the shade and vegetation of the neighborhood are among the characteristics more examined during visits, according to several real estate professionals interviewed by AFP.

The top floors and the southern exposure are more questionable

In Paris, Joseph Denke, a real estate agent at FredéLion, has noticed a change in demand over the past few months, particularly for apartments located under the roofs.

"South-facing apartments are no longer as sought after as they used to be. On the top floor of a Haussmannian building, the heat inside becomes truly unbearable." Joseph Denke told AFP.

The perceived temperature during a viewing can now directly influence the perception of a property. In a 14 m² Parisian studio apartment, Camille Couturier, a 30-year-old freelance performer, is wondering about the long-term consequences of a purchase.

"Living in an attic apartment can be worrying, and could be a negative point for the apartment." Camille Couturier points out.

By projecting himself over a period of at least 10 to 15 years, he seeks to know if he will be able to "use this apartment in a livable way" or if he will have to "flee like everyone else because it is too hot" during heat waves.

One in three people might consider moving

A study conducted on June 18, 2026 by leboncoin with 1.752 members of its panel indicates that 81% of respondents sometimes or often experience discomfort related to high temperatures in their homes.

Approximately 34% say they are considering or could consider moving if heatwaves intensify. These results reflect a shift in concerns, but they are based on a panel of platform users and do not constitute a survey representative of the entire French population.

"Heatwaves are no longer perceived by the French as isolated incidents, but are truly integrated as structural factors in residential choices. Coolness and summer comfort have become a key real estate criterion in their own right." assures Sophie Bourg, marketing director of leboncoin real estate.

One in two homes analyzed was considered a thermal kettle

The issue of summer comfort goes beyond the testimonies gathered during site visits. A study published in June 2026 by Pouget Consultants and Ignes relied on nine million summer comfort indicators from Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) carried out since 2021.

According to its authors, nine out of ten homes analyzed are insufficiently adapted to high temperatures, and nearly half could be described as "thermal kettles." The lack of external sun protection, such as shutters or blinds, is the main factor contributing to overheating identified by the study.

These results must, however, be interpreted in light of the methodology of the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The study itself highlights that the summer comfort indicator does not appear in approximately one-third of the assessments and that it does not sufficiently take into account the location of the dwelling, the precise performance of the equipment, or the level of insulation. It is also not based on a direct measurement of indoor temperatures.

More specific questions during the visits

Buyers are more interested in the actual habitability of the accommodation during hot periods: temperature reached during the last heat wave, possibility of airing during the night, orientation of the rooms or presence of shaded outdoor spaces.

“Buyers are no longer just looking at the property itself, but rather at its habitability. They are no longer satisfied with just the energy performance certificate, but are asking real estate agents very specific questions about the temperature during the last heatwave, whether it is possible to ventilate at night, and whether one sleeps well in the bedrooms.” explains Yann Jéhanno, president of the Laforêt network.

The presence of trees on the street or in the neighborhood, a shaded terrace, a swimming pool, or exterior sun protection can also be considered. Sun exposure is no longer automatically considered an advantage when it risks causing prolonged overheating.

Some types of housing are becoming less attractive.

These concerns are beginning to impact the marketing of certain properties. Christian Tokoto, a real estate agent with Guy Hoquet Paris 5 Maubert, cites the example of an apartment in the 5th arrondissement with large windows, but not a through-unit. Despite numerous viewings, prospective buyers tell him the apartment is "too hot" and the property remains available.

Air conditioning is also viewed differently. It "is no longer taboo at all," according to Yann Jéhanno. When it is already installed in an apartment, it can be "a huge advantage for many buyers," says Laetitia Caron, CEO of PAP, particularly because it saves the buyer from having to take steps with the building management later.

Sellers are adapting the presentation of their properties accordingly. Real estate listings are placing greater emphasis on shutters, sun protection, air conditioning, or natural ventilation options.

Climate comfort is beginning to influence residential geography

The impact of heatwaves on geographical choices remains more difficult to measure. In the leboncoin study, 18% of respondents living in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur said they were seriously considering leaving, compared to only 1,3% in Brittany.

"We are not yet witnessing an exodus." Sophie Bourg's nuance.

According to her, the French previously chose a region primarily for its attractiveness and the opportunities it offered. They are now beginning to also take into account "climatic comfort," a development she considers new.

It remains to be seen whether these concerns will persist after the summer or whether they will subside with the return of cooler temperatures. However, the professionals interviewed observe that climate risks are gradually becoming a factor in buyers' long-term planning.

"There is clearly an impact of climate change on the real estate market." Yann Jéhanno believes.

In addition to heat waves, there are forest fires and the shrinking and swelling of clay soils. This accumulation of risks makes it more difficult for households to plan for the 10 to 20 years that generally correspond to the term of their mortgage.