Haaltert (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A reconciliation attempt at the justice of the peace between Haaltert municipality and a resident over an illegal fence ended without resolution or agreement.
A resident installed a fence on the sidewalk in front of his home toward the end of the previous year. Although the municipality wants the walkway to be entirely free, the resident was willing to make a compromise and replace the fence with a chain.
They will make a decision regarding the fence next week.
After multiple unsuccessful discussions, the person who had erected the contentious fence initiated a reconciliation process with the judge of the peace.
However, the Haaltert municipality, Belgium, threw out his suggestion to replace the fence with a chain in the trash. The town is steadfast in its belief that Bakkerstraat’s walkway ought to be entirely free.
The justice of the peace was unable to perform the marriage ceremony himself because it was a reconciliation process and neither party had filed a lawsuit against the other. The municipality will now think things through and will likely determine what to do or not do next week.
What are the legal consequences for building an illegal fence?
Building without the required permissions or breaking zoning and building laws can result in fines from local authorities. These penalties might increase over time and differ depending on the jurisdiction.
For instance, depending on the seriousness and length of the infraction, fines may amount to thousands of dollars or more.
Written notices ordering the property owner to put the fence into compliance may be issued by municipalities. The city may file a lawsuit to enforce compliance or issue injunctions to compel the fence’s removal or alteration if the owner declines.
A neighbor who has a fence encroaching on their property may sue for the fence’s removal, trespassing damages, or an injunction to stop the fence from encroaching further.
