Frequently asked questions

Asbestos is a fibrous substance once used for its insulating, fire-resistant, and wear-resistant properties. It is dangerous because inhaling its fibres can cause serious diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.

In Belgium, to find out if your house contains asbestos, it is recommended to hire a certified asbestos expert. They can take samples and analyse them in a lab to detect the presence of asbestos.

If asbestos is found in your house, several management options are available, including encapsulation, removal, or containment. It is crucial to hire qualified professionals for these operations to minimise the risk of exposure to asbestos fibres.

Exposure to asbestos can lead to serious diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. Asbestos fibres can remain airborne and be inhaled, causing damage to the lungs and other organs.

Signs of asbestos presence in a house can include old construction materials such as insulation, floor tiles, stucco ceilings, or pipes covered in fibrous materials. A professional inspection is necessary for accurate identification.

The costs associated with asbestos removal vary depending on the extent of contamination, the chosen asbestos abatement method, and the rates of qualified professionals. It is recommended to request multiple quotes to get an idea of the costs.

Yes, it is possible to sell or rent a house containing asbestos, but strict regulations apply. In Belgium, an asbestos inventory certificate is required for buildings constructed before 2001, certifying the presence or absence of asbestos.

In Belgium, the regulation requires mandatory asbestos inventories before renovation or demolition work, as well as an annual management plan to protect workers. Since 2005, the use of asbestos has been completely banned. The regions have specific regulations:

• Walloon Region: Mandatory asbestos inventory before destructive work.
• Brussels: Mandatory asbestos inventory to obtain the “Ecodynamic Company” label.
• Flanders: Mandatory asbestos inventory for buildings constructed before 2001, with a goal to make asbestos harmless by 2040.

In Belgium, asbestos waste must be disposed of in specialised facilities following strict procedures to prevent the release of fibres. It is essential to hire qualified professionals for the safe collection and disposal of asbestos waste.

To protect your family and yourself from asbestos hazards, have your house inspected by a qualified professional, follow the regulations in place, and take appropriate measures to manage and remove asbestos-containing materials.

When transferring a construction built before 2001 to a new owner, an asbestos certificate is required. However, this does not apply to constructions under 20 m² unless the total area of multiple constructions reaches or exceeds 20 m² or is part of a larger complex. The certificate must be available during the transfer, often at the time of compromise, but this may vary.The notary determines in each situation the necessity of an asbestos certificate and the required timing. From 2032, every owner of a construction built before 2001, whether there are transfer plans or not, must have an asbestos certificate.As for rentals: while renting is not currently a reason to obtain an asbestos certificate, you must provide a copy to the tenant if one is available.

When selling your property without providing a valid asbestos certificate, the notary will verify whether this certificate has been given to the buyer. If it turns out that there is no valid asbestos certificate or it has not been provided to the buyer on time, the buyer has the right to cancel the sale. In such a situation, the transfer is impossible, and the notary cannot finalise the deed of sale.

An asbestos certificate is generally valid for 10 years. However, if the building contains asbestos materials posing a high risk, this period is reduced to 5 years.The scope of an asbestos certificate provides a clear summary of the applications of asbestos in the building, assessed room by room.

Currently, it is not mandatory for landlords to have an asbestos certificate when renting out a property. However, if an asbestos inventory has been conducted in the past, the landlord must make it available to the tenant.