In Belgium

An enforceable title (titre executoire / uitvoerbare titel) is the legal document that authorises a creditor to use enforcement measures — such as seizure or eviction — to compel compliance with an obligation. Without one, no forced execution is possible under Belgian law.

Types of enforceable titles in rental law:

How it works

Obtaining it. Most commonly, a landlord obtains an enforceable title by winning a case before the justice of the peace. The judgment must then be served on the debtor by a bailiff.

Service. The bailiff delivers a certified copy of the title with the enforcement formula (“In the name of the King”). This triggers the enforceable character.

Enforcement. With the title in hand, the creditor can instruct the bailiff to serve a payment order, proceed with attachment of bank accounts or wages, or enforce an eviction.

Time limit. An enforceable title remains valid for 10 years under Belgian law (Article 2262bis of the Civil Code). After this period, it can no longer be enforced.

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Good to know
A lease signed before a notary is directly enforceable without going to court. This is rare in practice but can save months of procedure if the tenant defaults. However, the notary fees (300-600 EUR) make it cost-effective only for higher-value leases.

Practical example

A landlord obtains a judgment from the justice of the peace ordering the tenant to pay 3,600 EUR in rent arrears. The bailiff serves the judgment and issues a payment order giving the tenant 24 hours. The tenant does not pay. The bailiff then proceeds with an enforcement seizure on the tenant’s bank account. The bank freezes the available funds up to the amount owed.