Reporting a non-compliant property in Belgium
How to report a non-compliant or uninhabitable property to the authorities?
Sommaire · 4 sections Reduire ▴
- 01 When to report
- 02 Who to contact
- 03 Procedure
- 04 Outcome of the report
When to report a non-compliant property
A report is justified when the property has defects that compromise safety, sanitation or habitability.
Grounds for reporting
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Safety | Dangerous electrical installation, gas leak, no smoke detector |
| Sanitation | Structural dampness, mould, pests, lead |
| Habitability | No heating, no hot water, insufficient floor area |
| EPC | Very poorly insulated property without prior information |
Prerequisite: formal notice
Before reporting, send a formal notice to the landlord by registered letter. If the landlord does not act within a reasonable timeframe (15-30 days), proceed with the report.
For landlord obligations, see our guide on landlord obligations.
Who to contact
By Region
| Region | Competent service | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Brussels | Regional Housing Inspectorate | Via Bruxelles Logement |
| Wallonia | SPW Logement (Housing Directorate) | Via the Walloon portal |
| Flanders | Wooninspectie | Via Wonen-Vlaanderen |
Other contacts
- Municipality: housing or planning department
- PCSW: social aid and support
- Justice of the peace: judicial remedy
Reporting procedure
Steps
- Document the problems (dated photographs, videos, witness statements)
- Send a formal notice to the landlord
- File a complaint with the competent regional service
- Receive a visit from a housing inspector
- Await the inspection report and decisions
Documents to attach
- Copy of the lease
- Photographs and videos of the defects
- Copy of the formal notice sent to the landlord
- Any certificates (electrical, EPC)
- Correspondence with the landlord
Processing time
The regional service generally processes complaints within 1 to 3 months. Urgent cases (safety hazard) are prioritised.
Outcome of the report
Possible decisions
| Decision | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Compliant property | No action |
| Minor non-compliance | Formal notice to the landlord + deadline |
| Major non-compliance | Ban on letting + mandatory works |
| Immediate danger | Evacuation + uninhabitability order |
For the tenant
- The lease remains in force unless an uninhabitability order is issued
- The tenant can request a rent reduction
- The tenant can request termination of the lease without compensation
- The PCSW can help with rehousing if necessary
For the landlord
- Obligation to carry out works within the set deadline
- Administrative fine for non-compliance
- Ban on reletting until the property is compliant
See our guides on rental disputes and works in rental properties.