Looking to buy a home? What is included in the purchase price? Read here which elements belong to a property and which do not according to Flemish legislation.
Contents
- Fixed connected elements of the building
- Fixed devices and built-in devices
- Infrastructure and outdoor facilities
- Contents and loose elements
- Common parts and easements
- According to agreements between buyer and seller
1. Fixed connected elements of the building
Well: As a basic rule, all items that are “firmly connected” to the property are part of the purchase by default, unless otherwise agreed. This means elements that are physically connected to the structure of the building. These fixed elements are considered part of the house or apartment and cannot simply be removed before or after the sale, unless otherwise stated in the purchase contract. Examples of fixed connected elements:
- Floors and tiles.
- Interior doors and fixed windows.
- Sanitary facilities: toilets, sinks, baths and showers.
- Heating systems: central heating systems, radiators, (water) pipes, boilers, expansion vessels, heat pumps and air conditioning.
2. Fixed devices and built-in devices.
Well: Built-in appliances usually belong to the home because they are built in and attached to the cabinets or walls. The same goes for lights attached to the ceiling or walls, unless explicitly excluded in the purchase contract. Examples of fixed appliances and built-in appliances:
- Wall units.
- Built-in lighting.
- Built-in sliding doors and closet doors.
- Built-in closets: closets, storage closets.
- Bookshelves attached to the wall.
- Bathroom cabinets attached to the wall.
- Kitchen furniture: kitchen cabinets, countertop, built-in cooking stove, built-in cooker hood.
3. Infrastructure and outdoor facilities
Well: External, land-bound structures are attached to the home and are typically transferred upon sale. Examples of home infrastructure and exterior amenities:
- Trees, shrubs.
- Fixed garden lighting.
- Built-in outdoor kitchens or barbecues.
- Terraces, driveways, fences, gates and fencing.
- Garden sheds, garages, conservatories, pool houses, if permanently connected to the ground.
- Built-in pools, built-in ponds, built-in fountains and built-in hot tubs (also called jacuzzi ).
4. Contents and loose elements.
Not: Loose elements or contents are generally not part of the sale of the home. These items are generally considered personal property of the seller. Often, as a buyer, you can take over specific loose items by mutual agreement with the seller. Such an agreement should be put in writing so that there are no misunderstandings about this after the sale. Examples of contents and loose items:
- Loose garden accessories: loose garden furniture, loose garden decorations, loose potted plants.
- Kitchenware: Crockery, cutlery, pans, kitchen accessories.
- Decorations: Paintings, mirrors, clocks, vases, statues.
- Loose decoration items: Picture frames, loose candelabras, potted plants.
- Garden furniture and accessories: loose garden furniture, flower pots, loose umbrellas.
- Textiles: curtains, carpets, bedding (if not built-in or attached).
- Loose household accessories: Vacuum cleaners, ironing boards, cleaning supplies.
- Furniture: Sofas, chairs, tables, beds, cabinets (if not built-in or attached).
- Freestanding air conditioning units: Mobile air conditioners that are not permanently mounted.
- Lighting: Table lamps, floor lamps (as opposed to ceiling lamps that are often fixed).
- Small household appliances: Coffee makers, microwaves, blenders, mixers, kitchen robots.
- Toys and hobby items: Bicycles, sports equipment, musical instruments (unless attached to the wall).
- Large household appliances: Freestanding refrigerators, washing machines, dryers (if not built-in or attached).
- Electronics: televisions, computers, sound systems, portable air conditioning, portable fans, free-standing heaters.
5. Common parts andeasements
Well: In a co-owned apartment or home, there are also common parts such as hallways, elevators, and the roof. Here, the buyer has some ownership and maintenance obligations in the form of co-ownership. Sometimes easements apply, such as the right of way for a neighbor. These rights and obligations are established in the basic deed of the building, and with this, as a buyer, you automatically agree to these terms upon purchase.
6. According to agreements between buyer and seller
By convention: The items below are usually included in the sale if they are permanently installed in the home. If they are movable, they must be explicitly stated in the sales agreement. So be sure to pay close attention to this! Examples of relocatable questionable items to watch out for:
- Solar panels.
- Home batteries.
- Ceiling lights.
- Freestanding refrigerators.
- Sound systems: speakers, soundbars.
- (Automatic) shutters and blinds.
- Water softeners: some models are freestanding.
- Smart home systems: thermostats, security cameras, sensors.
- Charging stations for electric cars: these are sometimes dismountable and thus moveable.
- Curtains: curtain rails remain, but sometimes sellers take the curtains with them after selling their home.
Would you like to cite this article as a source? Then use:
Stiasteny, L. (2024, November 5). Buying a house: what belongs and what doesn’t according to Flemish legislation? Apartment.be. Consulted on (date XX/XX/202X), from https://www.appartement.be/woning-kopen-wat-hoort-erbij-volgens-wetgeving/
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