Don’t panic this one won’t affect your grades.

To mark the back-to-school season, Square’s is putting your real estate knowledge to the test.

Energy ratings, floor area, architecture, regulations, terminology… how well do you really know real estate?

Pens at the ready!

1. What is the minimum floor area required for a property to be considered suitable for rental?

A. 7 m²

B. 9 m²

C. 12 m²

2. Is a balcony included in the floor area calculated under the Carrez Law?

A. Yes

B. No

C. Only if it is covered

3. When an apartment is sold, its actual floor area turns out to be more than 5% smaller than the area stated in the deed of sale. What can the buyer request?

A. A proportional reduction in the purchase price

B. Automatic cancellation of the sale

C. Nothing, as the stated floor area is for information purposes only

4. In Paris, which floor was historically considered the most prestigious in a Haussmann-style building?

A. The 1st floor

B. The 2nd floor

C. The top floor

5. What is meant by a “dual-aspect” apartment?

A. An apartment with windows or openings on two opposite sides of the building

B. A particularly bright apartment

C. An apartment that necessarily extends across the entire building

6. Visual test 👀

Take a close look at this façade…

Can you identify which arrondissement of Paris it is located in?

A. Paris 8th

B. Paris 9th

C. Paris 16th

7. Since 1 January 2026, some electrically heated homes can improve their DPE energy rating without any renovation work.

True or false?

📝 ANSWERS — Pens down!

1. What is the minimum floor area required for a property to be considered suitable for rental?

✅ B. 9 m²

The main living space must have a minimum floor area of 9 m² with a ceiling height of at least 2.20 m, or a minimum habitable volume of 20 m³.

2. Is a balcony included in the floor area calculated under the Carrez Law?

✅ B. No

Balconies are not included when calculating the private floor area under the Carrez Law.

3. When an apartment is sold, its actual floor area turns out to be more than 5% smaller than the area stated in the deed of sale. What can the buyer request?

✅ A. A proportional reduction in the purchase price

4. In Paris, which floor was historically considered the most prestigious in a Haussmann-style building?

✅ B. The 2nd floor, traditionally known as the “étage noble” (noble floor).

5. What is meant by a “dual-aspect” apartment?

✅ A. An apartment with windows or openings on two opposite sides of the building

6. Can you identify which arrondissement of Paris this façade is located in? 👀

✅ C. Paris 16th

7. Since 1 January 2026, some electrically heated homes can improve their DPE energy rating without any renovation work. True or false?

✅ TRUE!

Since 1 January 2026, the electricity conversion factor used to calculate the DPE has been reduced from 2.3 to 1.9. As a result, some electrically heated homes may receive a better energy rating without any renovation work. Existing DPE assessments affected by this change can also be updated through an official certificate.

So, how did you score? 👀

0–2 correct answers: Time for a little revision… 📚

3–4: Not bad at all — you’ve got the basics down!

5–6: Real estate holds almost no secrets for you. 🔑

7/7: Full marks! You’re ready to join the Square’s team. 😏