Hillewaere Real Estate | Frequently Asked Questions

Not every offer automatically leads to a sale. The exact outcome depends, amongst other things, on the details of the offer and your response as the seller. That is why it is important not only to assess an offer on the basis of price, but also to carefully consider the terms and any conditions before making a decision.

Once an agreement has been reached, the terms agreed are set out in legal terms, usually in a preliminary agreement or other sales contract. This private deed contains the legally required details regarding ownership. The file is then further prepared for the notarial deed and the final transfer of ownership.

An offer is more than just a non-binding expression of interest and may have legal consequences. You should therefore never make an offer without careful consideration, and you must clearly set out the price, the period of validity and any conditions. Professional guidance is particularly advisable when making a major purchase.

Yes. For example, an offer may be conditional upon securing financing. Such conditions must be worded carefully and unambiguously. This ensures that both the buyer and the seller know exactly under what circumstances the offer is valid.

By making an offer, you, as a prospective buyer, set out the terms on which you wish to purchase the property. The sales agreement then sets out the arrangements between the buyer and the seller in detail. Both documents can have significant legal consequences and therefore deserve careful consideration.

The authentic deed drawn up by the notary marks a key stage in the transfer of ownership. At that point, the agreed purchase price and costs are settled and the transfer is formally recorded. The deed becomes enforceable against third parties once it has been entered in the Patrimonium Documentation registers.

A condition precedent links the performance of the contract to a future, uncertain event, such as the granting of a loan. The exact wording is important: it determines when and under what circumstances the contract will or will not proceed.

In principle, VAT is payable on the purchase of a new property, in accordance with the applicable federal VAT regulations. Under certain conditions, the associated land is also subject to VAT; in other situations, registration fees may apply to the land. The specific tax treatment therefore depends on the structure of the purchase.

The Breyne Act (Housing Construction Act) offers additional protection to buyers of off-plan or under-construction properties, subject to certain conditions. It sets out rules governing, amongst other things, payments, handover and guarantees. Whether the Act applies to your purchase depends on the specific contract and the project.

When buying off-plan, you are deciding on a property that has not yet been built, or has not been fully completed. This means that the plans, specifications, standard of finish and contractual terms take on added importance. Take the time to thoroughly understand these documents before you commit.

The specifications set out how the project will be carried out and which materials, techniques and finishes are to be used. As such, they serve as an important reference document for determining exactly what is included in the purchase price.

The renovation obligation may apply when a property with poor energy performance is transferred, in accordance with the relevant Flemish energy regulations. Whether any obligations apply, and if so which ones, depends on the type of property and the specific terms of the transfer. Where the obligation applies, this must also be clearly stated in the property advertisement and sales documents.

Yes. Regulations relating to energy, taxation, town planning and other property matters change regularly. That is why, when carrying out a specific sale or purchase, it is important not to rely solely on general information, but always to check which regulations apply at that particular time and to that specific property.

At the start of the tenancy, a detailed inventory is drawn up, dated and signed. It records the condition of the property and thus provides clarity for both the tenant and the landlord when the tenancy ends.

In many cases, the rent may be indexed once a year, at the earliest on the anniversary of the tenancy agreement coming into force. This does not happen automatically: the landlord must request the indexation. Specific adjustments apply to certain older tenancy agreements and EPC labels.

That depends on the nature and cause of the problem. Generally speaking, certain structural or major repairs are the landlord’s responsibility, whilst maintenance and damage caused by misuse may be the tenant’s responsibility. A clear inventory helps to avoid disputes later on.