Any house with water consumption of less than 15 cubic meters per year or energy consumption of less than 100 kWh per year will be considered unoccupied.
What happened? Belgium takes seriously the large number of empty houses in the country, especially in Wallonia, one of its French-speaking regions. The regional government has decided that from now on leaving housing without accommodation will be considered a crime and provides for a fine of €500 to €12,500.
Quote. “Leaving a building or part of a building intended for housing unoccupied will henceforth be considered a violation,” concluded Christophe Collignon, Minister of Housing of Wallonia.
“Within a few months we will be able to return some of the unoccupied houses to the market,” the minister told Le Soir.
“Any house with water consumption of less than 15 cubic meters per year or energy consumption of less than 100 kWh per year will be considered unoccupied,” explained Elio Di Rupo, Minister—President of Wallonia. He also added that “fines are also provided for long periods of unemployment.”
Fines. According to Le Soir, the fine applicable to the owners will be from €500 to €12,500 per house “depending on the length of the facade and the number of floors of the house for twelve months without a vacancy break.”