Three cancellations of social housing because of possession of foreign property
In the past three years, three rental contracts of social tenants have been terminated in Brussels because of the possession of foreign real estate. In addition, 33 agreements were concluded for owning a home in Belgium.
Those who rent socially are not allowed to acquire real estate. Over the past three years, 14 of the 16 real estate companies have canceled three rental contracts of social tenants in Brussels because of the possession of foreign real estate. In addition, 33 contracts were terminated due to property ownership in Belgium.
At the request of N-VA Member of Parliament Mathias Vanden Borre, the competent State Secretary Nawal Ben Hamou (PS) stated that these promises were mainly the result of checks of submitted assessment notices at the tax authorities. Two real estate companies, ‘De Lakense Haard’ and ‘Lojega’, do not share any data.
“This rule exists in Flanders and Brussels,” says Mathias Vanden Borre via a press release. “The big difference is that there is no real control or sanctions policy in our capital.” It will probably be known on Saturday that 322 social tenants in Flanders – out of a total of 677 investigations – were caught with real estate abroad in the past two years.
“The 36 canceled social rental contracts in Brussels are probably just the tip of the iceberg,” says Vanden Borre. “I call on the State Secretary to inform me better about the benefits of the Flemish control policy and to implement it in Brussels. Families who are truly entitled to social housing will be grateful to her.”