Real Estate Law Attorney in Belgium

The notary authenticates deeds; the lawyer's role is different: they defend your interests, advise on risks, negotiate for you, and litigate if necessary.

Before a transaction, the real estate lawyer can analyze the sales agreement - this document signed well before visiting the notary already creates legal obligations. They verify suspensive conditions, guarantees, and seller's declarations. This preventive analysis can avoid months of litigation.

In co-ownership matters, the lawyer helps co-owners challenge general assembly decisions, obtain payment of charges from a defaulting co-owner, and manage relations with the property manager. The 2010 law reformed in 2019 has added complexity to this area.

For leases, the law varies by region (Brussels, Wallonia, and Flanders each have their own legislation) and by lease type (primary residence, commercial, student, furnished). A specialist knows these regional subtleties.

In urban planning, challenging a neighbour's building permit or obtaining your own despite municipal refusal requires mastery of administrative appeals and Council of State case law.

Hidden defects are a classic. You buy a house, and a few months later, leaks appear, the roof turns out to be in poor condition, the foundations show cracks. If the seller knew about these defects and didn't disclose them, you can take action under the warranty against hidden defects. The goal: obtain a price reduction or sale cancellation.

Co-ownership conflicts are multiplying. Allocation of charges, approved or rejected works, noise nuisances from a neighbour, change of use of a unit: sources of discord are numerous. The specific procedure before the justice of the peace allows for relatively quick resolution.

Evictions of defaulting tenants follow a strict procedure. The landlord must first send a formal notice, then summon before the justice of the peace, obtain a judgment, have it served by bailiff, and finally proceed with eviction using public force if necessary. Allow at least 3 to 6 months.

Construction disputes - defects, site delays, work not conforming to plans - often involve costly technical expert assessments. The lawyer must work with experts to establish the responsibilities of the architect, contractor, and subcontractors.