# Verdict Bands

Universal severity colour-coding used in all sections.

| Symbol | Label | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🟢 | Green | Non-issue or actively positive | None — note it as strength |
| 🟡 | Yellow | Minor concern, watch | Note, monitor, no immediate action |
| 🟠 | Orange | Meaningful issue, plan / budget | Quote, plan budget, surveyor advised |
| 🔴 | Red | Significant issue, action required before purchase | Test/inspect, may walk away if unmitigatable |

## Calibration examples

### 🟢 Green
- DPE A-B (FR), Klasse A (DE), EPC A (UK) on the listing
- Property is on mains drains, certified conform
- All neighbours residential, no industrial within 5 km
- Low-traffic road (<500 v/d) confirmed
- Locality price slightly *below* commune average due to non-issue (e.g., aesthetic only)
- Earthquake zone 1 / Faible

### 🟡 Yellow
- DPE C/D (FR), C (DE), C (UK)
- Storm risk in DICRIM but no recent major events (>15 years)
- Light agricultural traffic on the road
- 1 small artisanal workshop within 200 m
- Price 10–20% above commune avg without obvious justification
- Radon zone 2 / moyen

### 🟠 Orange
- DPE E (FR), F (DE), D-E (UK) — needs renovation, regulatory risk
- Dam-rupture zone or PPRN approuvé but with structural mitigation
- ICPE Autorisation site within 1 km but not Seveso
- Septic tank / non-collective sewer existing
- Locality declining population -5% to -15%
- Build year 1965-1985 = likely asbestos + foundations need check
- Radon zone 3 / significatif

### 🔴 Red
- DPE F-G (FR), G-H (DE), F-G (UK) — banned for rental within 10 yrs
- IPP P (Inscrit) / PPRN highest-risk zone
- Inside Seveso seuil-haut perimeter
- Inside nuclear plant 5 km PPI inner ring
- Active quarry or asphalt plant within 500 m
- Active termite zone with no diagnostic
- Known foundation cracks unrepaired
- Mérule (dry rot) infestation undisclosed

## Choosing the colour

Apply this test:

1. **Cost to fix vs property value**: <2% = 🟢/🟡, 2–10% = 🟠, >10% = 🔴
2. **Reversibility**: fully reversible = 🟢/🟡, expensive but doable = 🟠, irreversible or banned = 🔴
3. **Health/safety**: zero = 🟢/🟡, indoor air quality / radon / asbestos = 🟠, cancer cluster / nuclear / collapse = 🔴
4. **Regulatory risk**: stable rules = 🟢/🟡, looming deadline = 🟠, already past deadline = 🔴
5. **Resale impact**: none = 🟢, slight haircut = 🟡, 10–25% discount = 🟠, unsellable = 🔴

When in doubt between two bands, escalate one step (be conservative).

## Justification rule

Never present a colour without one sentence of justification immediately after it.

✅ Good: `🟠 **Radon (zone 3)** — high-confidence flag for a 1975 build with a 190 m² basement; budget €1,500–€5,000 for VMC retrofit and test before buying.`

❌ Bad: `🟠 **Radon** — risky.`

## TL;DR ordering

In the final TL;DR, order findings by:
1. All 🔴 first (most-to-least critical)
2. Then all 🟠 (most-to-least cost)
3. Then 🟡 only if room (max 5 total bullets)
4. 🟢 only if it's the property's primary selling point and surprises you

Three bullets is the sweet spot. Five is the cap.