EPC certificate: when is it mandatory in Belgium?
When is an EPC certificate mandatory for rental in Belgium? Cases and exceptions.
The EPC is mandatory for every letting
In Belgium, the EPC certificate is mandatory before publishing a rental listing. This obligation applies in all three regions, for all types of residential lease.
| Situation | EPC mandatory | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Primary residence lease | Yes | 2011 |
| Short-term lease | Yes | 2011 |
| Student lease | Yes | 2011 |
| Furnished letting | Yes | 2011 |
| Co-tenancy | Yes | 2011 |
| Commercial lease | Yes (with exceptions) | Variable |
The landlord must:
- Have the certificate issued by a certified assessor
- Display the EPC score in the listing
- Present the certificate to the prospective tenant at the viewing
- Annex a copy to the lease
The absence of an EPC certificate at letting exposes the landlord to administrative fines of up to EUR 25,000 depending on the region.
Obligation at sale
The EPC certificate is also mandatory for every property sale. It must be available from the publication of the listing and transmitted to the buyer via the notary.
The EPC score has become an important valuation criterion. A poorly rated property sells for less and more slowly. Consult our guide on the impact of EPC on property value.
Exceptions to the EPC obligation
| Property | EPC mandatory |
|---|---|
| Dwelling (any form) | Yes |
| Office (> 500 sqm) | Yes |
| Garage / parking | No |
| Cellar / warehouse | No |
| Listed building (protected heritage) | Exempt under conditions |
| Property to be demolished (permit obtained) | No |
| Place of worship | No |
| Industrial building | No |
Listed or protected buildings benefit from a partial exemption if insulation works are incompatible with heritage conservation. The procedure varies by region.
Validity period of the EPC certificate
The EPC certificate is valid for 10 years in all three regions. After this period, a new certificate must be issued.
| Event | New EPC needed |
|---|---|
| Certificate over 10 years old | Yes |
| Energy renovation works | Recommended (to improve the score) |
| Change of tenant | No (if certificate still valid) |
| Change of owner | No (certificate is linked to the property) |
| Floor area change (extension) | Yes |
After energy improvement works, it is strongly recommended to have a new certificate issued even if the old one is still valid. The new score unlocks rent indexation and adds value to the property.
How to obtain an EPC certificate
Step 1: Choose a certified assessor. The list is available on regional portals (Brussels Environment, SPW Wallonia, VEKA Flanders). Compare prices (EUR 150 - 400).
Step 2: Prepare the property. The assessor needs access to all rooms, including the loft and boiler room. Gather plans, insulation material specifications and heating system documentation.
Step 3: The audit. The assessor inspects the property for 2 to 4 hours, recording the characteristics of the envelope (walls, roof, glazing), heating and ventilation.
Step 4: The certificate. Delivered within an average of 10 working days. It contains the score, improvement recommendations and estimated consumption in kWh/sqm per year.
Store the certificate in your rental management software for easy retrieval and automatic alerts before expiry. Minimum scores are evolving: consult our guide on scores by region.