Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Breyne Act protects homebuyers in Belgium, ensuring upfront payments are safe. A new law, based on it, will protect renovators. Minister Rob Beenders supports it, aiming for 2029 implementation.
The Breyne Act, or Housing Act, is a law in Belgium designed to protect people buying homes that are still under construction. Officials mentioned that it’s a very important law because it makes sure buyers are protected if the builder can’t finish the house.
One part of the law says that people can only pay 5% of the total price of the house upfront, and this money has to be kept safe in a special fund. This money is like a guarantee, so if the builder goes bankrupt, people get their money back.
Another part of the law says that people only pay for the work that has already been done. They can’t be asked to pay for things that haven’t been built yet. This makes sure that people don’t lose money if the builder doesn’t finish the house. The Breyne Act is designed to help people buy homes safely and without worrying about losing money.
Will Belgium’s new law protect home renovators by 2029?
According to the officials, the Breyne Act doesn’t always protect buyers. If more than one company is building the house, like if different companies do different parts of the work, the law doesn’t apply. Also, the law only covers renovations.
They mentioned that to be covered, the renovation must cost at least €18,600 and must be 80% of the total price of the house. If the renovation meets these conditions, then the Breyne Act will protect buyers just like it protects people buying new homes.
The Belgian government is working on a new law that will better protect people who are renovating their homes. The government realizes that right now, there aren’t enough protections for renovators if something goes wrong during their renovation project. Rob Beenders, the federal Minister of Consumer Protection, says that renovators need more safeguards.
The government wants to make sure that renovators have the same legal protections as buyers of new homes, which are protected under the Breyne Act. He mentioned that this new law will help to make sure that renovators are protected if something goes wrong during their renovation project.
The Belgian government is planning to give renovators the same protections as people buying new homes. The new law will be based on the Breyne Act. The government has already started working on this law and plans to have it finished by 2029. The law is part of the government’s plan and both the Minister of Consumer Protection and the Minister of Justice support it.
“We also want to set up a Flemish Construction Ombudsman, as an alternative for people who do not want to go to court because they find it too expensive and too cumbersome. The ombudsman can then try to mediate and look for solutions. Many contractors also welcome this. Their good name is often undermined by the cowboys in the sector. It is those cowboys who need to go,”
Says Benders.
