{"id":122754,"date":"2025-12-11T11:46:20","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T11:46:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/?post_type=comparative_guide&#038;p=122754"},"modified":"2025-12-11T15:47:04","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T15:47:04","slug":"belgium-real-estate","status":"publish","type":"comparative_guide","link":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/chapter\/belgium-real-estate\/","title":{"rendered":"Belgium: Real Estate"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-122754","comparative_guide","type-comparative_guide","status-publish","hentry","guides-real-estate","jurisdictions-belgium"],"acf":[],"appp":{"post_list":{"below_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">GSJ Advocaten<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2025\/12\/GGSJ_2lijnen_lang.jpg\"\/><\/span><\/div>"},"post_detail":{"above_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">GSJ Advocaten<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2025\/12\/GGSJ_2lijnen_lang.jpg\"\/><\/span><\/div>","below_title":"<span class=\"guide-intro\">This country specific Q&amp;A provides an overview of Real Estate laws and regulations applicable in Belgium<\/span><div class=\"guide-content\"><div class=\"filter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" placeholder=\"Search questions and answers...\" class=\"filter-container__search-field\">\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<ol class=\"custom-counter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Overview<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>To give an overview of the law governing Real Estate in Belgium, it is important to take account of the country\u2019s decentralised structure whereby the different components regarding Real Estate are regulated both at the federal level as well as the level of the Regions \u2013 Flanders, Wallonia and the Brussels-Capital Region \u2013 and to a lesser extent at provincial and municipal level.<\/p>\n<p>At federal level, the principal provisions governing Real Estate transactions, commercial and other general leases, proprietary interests, as well as general contract law, are set out in the Civil Code. This civil code is at present in an ongoing process of gradual and thematical modernisation so that referral has to be made to a former Civil Code (originally dating from 1804) and a new Civil Code of which the constituent parts (\u2018books\u2019) are being prepared and entering into force in subsequent phases.<\/p>\n<p>Next to that, numerous other specific Real Estate matters have been devolved to the Regions of Flanders, Wallonia or the Brussels-Capital Region respectively. The most important of these matters include (i) specific types of leases (f.e. residential rent, student rent, pop-up stores), (ii) soil and environmental contamination, (iii) part of the climate and energy efficiency regulations and (iv) planning, zoning and rules on the use and destination of land and buildings.<\/p>\n<p>Taking into account both levels of regulations, the Real Estate market is subject to a dense and extensive regulatory framework.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the main legislation relating to real estate ownership?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The main legislation relating to real estate ownership is governed by the (former and new) Civil Code of which:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Book 3, entered into force the 1st of September 2021, contains de main rules regarding real estate ownership, property law and proprietary interests. In general and disregarding some exceptions, the former Civil Code still applies for ownership matters before this date.<\/li>\n<li>Book 5, entered into force the 1st of January 2023, governs general contract law. Here also in general and disregarding some exceptions, the former Civil Code still applies for contracts concluded before this date.<\/li>\n<li>Book 6, entered into force the 1st of January 2025, stipulates the non-contractual (extra-contractual) liability.<\/li>\n<li>Book 7, which is still in preparation and not yet into force, will modernize the law regarding Real Estate transactions (sale-and-purchase-agreements), leases for which the competences belong to the federal level as well as building and construction contracts and certain other agreements concerning the use of Real Estate. At present, the former Civil Code still applies on these matters.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Next to this Civil Code, important provisions regarding Real Estate can be found in the Code of Economic Law which contains the provisions on prohibited unfair and unjust terms both in a Business-to-Business as in a Business-to-Consumer relationship.<\/p>\n<p>For the regional level, important regulatory frameworks are the decrees and ordinances of the specific regions concerning (i) specific types of leases (f.e. residential rent, student rent, pop-up stores), (ii) soil and environmental contamination, (iii) part of the climate and energy efficiency regulations and (iv) planning, zoning and rules on the use and destination of land and buildings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Have any significant new laws which materially impact real estate investors and lenders come into force in the past year or are there any major anticipated new laws which are expected to materially impact them in the near future?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The most significant legislative development since December 2024 is the aforementioned Book 6 of the Civil Code since the 1st of January 2025 on non-contractual (extra-contractual) liability. Highly anticipated development constitute the aforementioned Book 7 of the Civil Code. From a tax perspective, the Belgian Government is considering changes in VAT tariffs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How is ownership of real estate proved and are ownership records available for public inspection?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Ownership of real estate is evidenced by the records of the Belgian Land Registry Office (General Administration of Heritage Documentation). This administration records, via the notarial deed, numerous transactions such as f.e. transfer of ownership by sale-and-purchase-agreements, leases with a term exceeding nine years and notarial deeds creating or transferring certain proprietary rights and interests as well as judgments concerning the nullity or invalidity of these matters. Extracts thereof are available upon request.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any restrictions on who can own real estate, including ownership by any foreign entities?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There are no restrictions on property ownership in Belgian law. However, foreign investors may be subject to certain oversight mechanisms, such as those provided under the EU Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Regulation (EU) 2019\/452 which impose checks and registration obligations on individuals or entities who invest in Belgian real estate companies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What types of proprietary interests in real estate can be created?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Besides full ownership, Belgian law recognises several proprietary rights and interests, such as:<\/p>\n<p>Co-ownership, whereby multiple persons or entities own the same property simultaneously, without, an exclusive right to a specific physical part thereof (f.e. apartment co-ownership).<\/p>\n<p>Leases (tenancies), whereby temporary rights of use and enjoyment are granted by the landlord (lessor) to the tenant (lessee) in exchange for rent.<\/p>\n<p>Rights of use (other than leases), whereby rights of use are granted which do not qualify as leases and which are more precarious than leases.<\/p>\n<p>Right of easements\/servitudes, whereby a servient property is burdened for the benefit of a dominant property (e.g. rights of way, drainage, passage,\u2026) and must respect and allow a certain use of this property by the owners or certain other beneficiaries of the dominant property. These may arise by contract or by law.<\/p>\n<p>Right of superficies, where the owner (or another beneficiary) of land grants a third party the right to erect and own buildings or other constructions on or under that land. The beneficiary of the right of superficies becomes the legal owner of the constructions for the duration of the superficies right.<\/p>\n<p>Right of leasehold (emphyteusis), which grants the holder full rights of use and enjoyment over the property, without transfer of ownership of the underlying land, combined with an obligation not to jeopardise the value of the property.<\/p>\n<p>Right of usufruct, which allows the usufructuary to use and enjoy the property as a prudent and reasonable person, subject to preserving its substance and respecting its intended use, also with an obligation to return the property upon expiry of the usufruct.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is ownership of real estate and the buildings on it separate?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There is a rebuttable presumption that buildings and plantings located on, above or below land are owned by the landowner. This presumption can be displaced by agreement, for example through the creation of a right of superficies. Within a specific building, specific provisions may apply on co-ownership-rights between the different owners of the specific entities within these buildings and their respective share in the underlying landownership.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What are common ownership structures for ownership of commercial real estate?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Common structures for ownership of commercial Real Estate are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>By a right of superficies whereby (i) the developer (superficiary) acquires a superficies right from the landowner, develops the project and becomes temporary owner of the buildings and (ii) the units in the building are then sold by the developer, while the landowner sells the corresponding land shares.<\/li>\n<li>Long-term commercial lease agreements; and<\/li>\n<li>Leasehold rights over the land and buildings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The choice between these structures depends on tax, financing, risk allocation and commercial considerations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the usual legal due diligence process that is undertaken when acquiring commercial real estate?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Belgian law imposes mandatory information and disclosure duties at various stages (advertisement of the sale, conclusion of the sale-and-purchase-agreement, notarial deed). Required information, among others, include: (i) Soil and environmental information via a soil certificate, (ii) urban planning information, (iii) mortgage certificates, (iv) cadastral identifications, (v) information regarding nature conservation and forests, (vi) heritage status, (vii) whether it is a flood-prone area, (viii) pre-emption rights, (ix) electrical installation inspection reports, (x) information regarding fuel oil tanks, (xi) asbestos certificates (where required), (xii) energy performance certificates and (xiii) register of performed works.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What legal issues (if any) are outside the scope of the usual legal due diligence process on an acquisition of real estate?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Parties often contract for additional due diligence clauses, extending duties to investigate and disclose technical, commercial, environmental, financial, tax and legal aspects, usually backed by representations, warranties and indemnities.<\/p>\n<p>Residual risks remain, particularly where mandatory documents or certificates are incorrect, incomplete or outdated. For instance, previously undetected soil contamination may exist that is not mentioned in soil certificates, because the authorities were unaware of it when issuing the certificates when these were also unknown by the seller.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the usual process for transfer of real estate, and when does liability pass to the buyer?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Usually, the process consist of a sale-and-purchase-agreement which is subsequently formalised in a notarial deed. Unless otherwise agreed, ownership, risks and liability generally passes when the parties reach agreement on the price and subject matter (consensus). Frequently however, the parties agree that the moment of transfer of ownership, risks and\/or liabilities will be postponed to the moment that the sale-and-purchase agreement is effectively signed or even the notarial deed is executed.<\/p>\n<p>For complex deals, parties often start with a Letter of Intent (LOI), which may be followed by a binding sale-and-purchase-agreement or by a unilateral or mutual option agreement which upon exercise can result in a sale-and-purchase-agreement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is it common for real estate transfers to be effected by way of share transfer as well as asset transfer?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Both asset deals and share deals are frequently used. The choice is influenced by tax, financing and liability considerations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">On the sale of freehold interests in land does the benefit of any occupational leases and income derived from such lettings automatically transfer to the buyer?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In general, these interests, leases, and rights of usages are considered as attached to the property itself and will automatically transfer without the need for further provisions.<\/p>\n<p>Sale-and-purchase-agreements usually specify further on (i) from which date rent accrues to the purchaser, (ii) obligations of the seller at completion, (iii) the condition of the leased premises and (iv) allocation and reimbursements of costs and charges incurred before the transfer.<\/p>\n<p>Common to agree is that the seller remains liable for tenant claims relating to the pre-transfer period, while the purchaser assumes liability for the period thereafter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What common rights, interests and burdens can be created or attach over real estate and how are these protected?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Multiple of these rights, interests and burdens can be taken into account, whereby some arising by law, others contractually:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The rights and proprietary interests mentioned above under question 6.<\/li>\n<li>Certain of these rights and interests are conferred by law. This for example for certain rights of easements\/servitudes generated for e.g. drainage, minimum distances between buildings and plantings, rights relating to overhanging branches and roots, rights of way for landlocked plots.<\/li>\n<li>Mortgages, as well as preferential rights and pre-emption rights which may be created by contract or law, f.e.in favour of public bodies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are split legal and beneficial ownership of real estate (i.e. trust structures) recognised?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Under Belgian law, there is no equivalent legal structure that creates a separation between legal ownership and beneficial ownership. However, there are certain mechanisms in corporate and contract law that allow to create a comparable outcome in the context of estate planning for building assets and maintaining control over these assets, such as via the \u201cmaatschap\u201d, i.e. a partnership without separate legal ownership, or a \u201cprivate stichting\u201d (i.e. private foundation).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is public disclosure of the ultimate beneficial owners of real estate required?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The Ultimate Beneficial Owner register generally requires the public disclosure of the ultimate beneficial owners for all companies, including companies owning real estate. Such a public disclosure is not legally required for natural persons. Furthermore, the Land Registry Office contains information about the legal owner of a property, but it does not include details about the ultimate owners, i.e. the individuals who have final control over the property.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What are the main taxes associated with real estate ownership and transfer of real estate?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Owners are continuously charged property tax. The property tax is a regional tax of the region where the property is situated and is calculated based on a percentage of the indexed cadastral income (a fictitious income calculated by the Belgian Federal Government services), increased by municipal surcharges.The municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region charge an annual tax on offices. The tariff is based on the surface area (m\u00b2).<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, the transfer of real estate triggers a registration tax or value added tax. The registration tax is a regional tax charged by the region where the property is situated. The standard tariff in Flanders is 12% and in Wallonia and the Brussels-Capital Region 12,5%. Each region has its own exceptions.<\/p>\n<p>As an exception, real estate can be transferred with value added tax when the immovable property is new (standard tariff of 21% in general). Real estate is considered new for VAT purposes if it is either newly built or it has been transformed in such a manner that is to be considered newly built, for which specific conditions apply.<\/p>\n<p>The capital gains from the sale of real estate are taxed through the Belgian Income Tax. The gains of companies are generally taxed as regular corporate income at the current nominal corporate tax rate of 25%. The gains of natural persons are either exempt from tax or taxed at a rate of 16,5% or 33% based on the nature of the real estate and the period of ownership.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What are common terms of commercial leases and are there regulatory controls on the terms of leases?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Most commercial leases used for retail or craft activities in direct contact with the public are governed by the Commercial Tenancy Act of 30 April 1951 (as further shaped by case law). Leases outside its scope (e.g. certain office leases) are governed by the general Civil Code provisions on lease.<\/p>\n<p>The Commercial Tenancy Act contains largely mandatory, tenant-protective rules, notably regarding (i) minimum lease term, (ii) maintenance and repair obligations, (iii) rights of renewal, (iv) termination grounds and procedures and (v) compensation in certain termination scenarios.<\/p>\n<p>Commonly negotiated clauses address, among others, (i) adjustment and indexation of the rent,(ii) distribution of taxes, (ii) purposes and use of the property, (iv) state in which the property is received and in which it has to returned, (v), insurances, and (vi) costs for utilities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What remedies are commonly available for landlords in the event of a tenant breach of a commercial lease?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Termination of commercial leases is governed by the Commercial Tenancy Act, which sets strict conditions and procedures. The lease will typically address consequences of dissolution, including financial compensation for the landlord.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How are use, planning and zoning restrictions on real estate regulated?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Use, planning and zoning fall primarily within the competence of the Regions of Flanders, Wallonia and the Brussels-Capital Region with each their substantive Codes on Spatial Planning and implementing decrees made in execution thereof. These regimes govern, inter alia, zoning plans, planning permissions, changes of use, regularisation of infringements and planning sanctions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Who can be liable for environmental contamination on real estate?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Responsibility for soil and environmental contamination is also largely a regional competence, with in Flanders mainly the Soil Decree of 27 October 2006, which contains, among others, (i) the framework for identifying and assessing soil contamination, (ii) obligations to investigate and remediate contaminations and (iii) the conditions and investigations required for the transfer of contaminated land (including prior soil investigation and certificates). The Soil Decree provides for a cascade of responsible parties with typically (i) operator, (ii) user and (iii) owner of the land.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are buildings legally required to have their energy performance assessed and in what (if any) situations do minimum energy performance levels need to be met?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Competences related to energy performance of buildings lie mainly with the Regions. In Flanders, most residential and non-residential buildings must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The EPC must be provided to the purchaser at the time of the sale-and-purchase-agreement. There are also mandatory renovation obligations within certain deadlines (often within 5 years after acquisition) to reach at least a certain threshold of energy efficiency.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is expropriation of real estate possible?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Expropriation is possible and constitutes a shared federal and decentralized competence whereby the regions are competent to rule upon expropriations of property for the benefit of public interest. For the Flemish region, this matter is governed by the Expropriation Decree.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is it possible to create mortgages over real estate and how are these protected and enforced?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Mortgages over Real Estate is possible and frequently used to finance purchases and development projects. The protection is secured by way of registration of the notarial deed. In case of default, enforcement generally takes the form of a forced sale (auction) of the property, where the mortgagee is paid in priority from the proceeds, according to its rank.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there material registration costs associated with the creation of mortgages over real estate?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The registration of a mortgage deed entails a registration fee. This registration fee is a regional tax charged by the region where the property is situated being either, Flanders, Wallonia or the Brussels-Capital Region. The registration fee is calculated based on the amount of the loan for which the mortgage is taken out.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is it possible to create a trust structure for mortgage security over real estate?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>As stated under question 15, there is in Belgian law no real concept of a trust structure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n<div class=\"word-count-hidden\" style=\"display:none;\">Estimated word count: <span class=\"word-count\">3005<\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<\/ol>\r\n\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/twentyseventeen\/src\/jquery\/components\/filter-guides.js\" async><\/script><\/div>"}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide\/122754","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/comparative_guide"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=122754"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}