In Belgium

A property expert (expert immobilier) is a professional who assesses market value, carries out technical inspections, or provides specialist advice on property matters. In Belgium, the profession is not uniformly regulated, but several recognised certifications exist:

  • Court-appointed expert: designated by a judge for property disputes, inheritance valuations, or divorce settlements
  • ABEX-certified expert: recognised by the Association Belge des Experts
  • IPI-registered agent: estate agents with valuation expertise
  • TIV-certified expert (Recognised Property Valuer): European-standard certification

How it works

Valuation report. The expert visits the property, analyses comparable sales, assesses condition and characteristics, and produces a formal valuation report. This document is accepted by courts, tax authorities and banks.

When is an expert needed? Inheritance declaration (recommended to avoid undervaluation penalties), mortgage application (sometimes required by the bank), pre-purchase due diligence, divorce settlement, insurance claim.

Costs. A standard residential valuation costs between 300 and 800 EUR depending on property type and complexity.

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Good to know
For inheritance declarations, an expert valuation is recommended but not mandatory. However, undervaluing a property exposes the heirs to penalties if the tax authorities reassess the value upward. An expert report provides legal protection.

Practical example

The Van den Berg family inherits a house in Waterloo. They engage a certified expert who values it at 520,000 EUR. They declare this amount for inheritance tax. The tax authorities accept the valuation without further investigation, avoiding a costly reassessment procedure.