Frequently asked questions — Property certifications
Everything you need to know about the PEB certificate, electrical inspection and asbestos inventory in Brussels.
The PEB certificate
What is a PEB certificate?
The PEB or EPC rates a home's theoretical energy consumption. The scale depends on the region: Brussels A (≤ 45) to G (> 345), Wallonia A++ (≤ 0) to G (> 510), Flanders A+ (≤ 0) to F (≥ 501 kWh/m²/year). It is issued after a visit by a certifier approved by Bruxelles Environnement, SPW Énergie or VEKA.
When do I need a PEB certificate?
Rules vary by region and property type. In Brussels, an individual dwelling of at least 18 m² that falls within the scheme must have a PEB certificate before it is marketed for sale or rent; its indicators appear in the listing and the certificate is provided to the candidate and contracting party. Exceptions depend on the property's use and configuration.
How long is a PEB certificate valid?
The maximum validity period is 10 years. In Brussels, when energy works have changed the dwelling since issue, the certificate data must be updated before a new sale or rental, even if the register still shows a future expiry date.
Who can issue a PEB certificate?
Only a certifier approved for the region where the property is located may issue the certificate: Bruxelles Environnement in Brussels, SPW Énergie in Wallonia or VEKA in Flanders. Before ordering, ask for the assigned certifier's approval number and verify it in the competent register.
Is a PEB certificate really mandatory?
A certificate is mandatory for transactions covered by the relevant regional rules, with exceptions depending on the property. In Brussels, a missing certificate exposes the owner to a sanction and must be reported by the notary to Bruxelles Environnement, but it does not automatically void the sale or authentic deed.
How much does a PEB certificate cost in Brussels in 2026?
At Sertic, a PEB certificate in Brussels costs EUR 230 incl. VAT up to 50 m², EUR 265 from 51 to 75 m² and EUR 290 from 76 to 125 m² for an apartment. A house starts at EUR 350, then pricing follows surface area. The amount quoted before the visit includes travel, the official report and registration with Bruxelles Environnement. The full breakdown is on our pricing page.
What are the penalties for selling or renting without a PEB certificate in Brussels?
In Brussels, an administrative fine of up to EUR 62,500 may be imposed for a missing certificate or mandatory PEB information. The notary reports the absence to Bruxelles Environnement; the sale is not automatically voided.
Does the PEB score affect the sale price?
Yes. A better PEB makes expected energy use clearer and can support a sale, while a poor rating can create more negotiating room. There is no reliable universal percentage that applies to every property. See our PEB service.
The visit
How long does the PEB certifier's visit take?
Allow 30 to 45 minutes for a studio or standard apartment, 1 hour for a detached house, and up to 1h30 for a villa or a multi-unit building. The actual duration depends mainly on how complete your technical documents are: a well-prepared file shortens the visit and improves the score's accuracy.
What should I prepare before the certifier visits?
Gather in advance: construction plans, insulation work invoices, technical sheets for the boiler, windows and insulation materials, and the certificate of the most recently installed boiler. Without acceptable evidence or a visual finding, the certifier applies Bruxelles Environnement's default values, which are often less favourable without any universal percentage.
Does the certifier need access to every room?
Yes, every room without exception: living spaces, bathroom, kitchen, but also cellar, attic, technical rooms and roof space. The expert inspects exterior walls, windows, roof, boiler, hot water production and ventilation. If a room remains inaccessible, the certifier records it and applies default values that penalise the final score.
What exactly does the expert check during the visit?
Six families of data: insulation of the envelope (walls, roof, floor), performance of window frames and glazing, type and efficiency of the boiler, domestic hot water production, ventilation, and presence of renewable energy (solar panels, heat pump). Everything is entered into the competent region's official software, which calculates the PEB score using a standardised method.
Pricing & payment
What is the price of a PEB certificate in Brussels?
At Sertic, the PEB price is quoted before the visit: EUR 230 up to 50 m², EUR 265 from 51 to 75 m², EUR 290 from 76 to 125 m², then by surface area; a house starts at EUR 350. The amount does not change after the visit except for the selected plan. Express 24h adds EUR 30 and Priority evenings/weekends EUR 75 per dwelling (per unit for a building). See pricing.
Which payment methods do you accept?
Bancontact, Visa, Mastercard and Apple Pay. Payment is made when the booking is placed online or upon receipt of the invoice after the visit. Real-estate agencies, notaries and architects can request 30-day invoicing when getting in touch.
Will I receive an invoice?
Yes — a compliant invoice (Belgian VAT, service description, intervention date) is emailed within 24 hours of the service. The invoice remains downloadable from your customer area as long as your account is active.
The report
How quickly will I receive my PEB certificate?
The quoted timing depends on the appointment, file completeness and regional registration. Express targets delivery within 24 hours after the visit when availability is confirmed before booking. The accepted quote states the applicable timing.
In what format will I receive the certificate?
An official PDF emailed to you. It contains a unique identifier registered with the competent region, the score in kWh/m²/year, the regional label, a theoretical consumption chart and renovation recommendations.
Can I challenge the result of the PEB certificate?
Yes. Contact the certifier within 30 days first to provide the missing documents: insulation invoice, boiler certificate, technical sheets for windows. The certifier can reissue the certificate at no charge if the documents change the score. Without agreement, you can file a complaint with Bruxelles Environnement, which opens an audit procedure.
Electrical inspection
When is an electrical inspection mandatory?
An inspection is required for a new installation, a major change and at sale depending on the age and state of the file. A domestic installation predating 1 October 1981 must be inspected; for one adapted later, the existing file is transferred and a new inspection is required if it is lost or incomplete.
Can you sell with a non-compliant electrical report?
For a domestic installation predating 1 October 1981, a negative report does not prevent the sale and the buyer gets 18 months to correct it. For a later adapted installation whose file must be rebuilt, a negative inspection starts a 12-month period; the buyer may take over responsibility if the deed records this.
How long does the buyer have to bring the installation into compliance?
18 months from the signing of the authentic deed, for domestic installations predating 1 October 1981 sold with a non-compliant report. After that period, the buyer faces RGIE sanctions and bears civil liability in case of an electrical incident. The new inspection must be performed by an approved body listed in the SPF Économie register.
Is an electrical inspection mandatory for a rental property?
Rental alone does not trigger an extra periodic RGIE inspection. The landlord must still provide a safe installation that meets housing standards; a new or significantly modified installation must be inspected under the RGIE. A voluntary inspection can document its condition but does not by itself guarantee insurance coverage. See pricing.
Asbestos inventory
When is an asbestos inventory mandatory in Brussels?
In Brussels, materials suspected of containing asbestos must be identified before work in a home. An inventory complying with the regional model must notably accompany the prior declaration for demolition or conversion works over 500 m² on a building predating 1 October 1998. The framework is set by Bruxelles Environnement. In Flanders, OVAM requires the asbestattest for covered transfers.
Which buildings are concerned by asbestos?
Older buildings and equipment, especially those predating the complete ban that took effect in 2002, may contain asbestos. The year alone never proves its presence: age, materials, records and, where needed, laboratory analysis are used to identify it.
What should I do if asbestos is detected?
The report records the material, its condition, accessibility and exposure risk so that an appropriate management programme can be defined. Removal takes priority, while monitoring, fixing or encapsulation may be used temporarily after a risk assessment. The authorised operator depends on the material, condition, method and region; never drill, sand or break suspect material before that assessment.
Will an asbestos inventory soon become mandatory for a sale in Brussels?
As of 1 September 2026, Brussels does not automatically require an asbestos inventory for every residential sale. The Brussels rules mainly target works: suspected asbestos materials must be identified before work in a home; an inventory complying with the regional model is notably mandatory for alterations or demolition over 500 m² in a building predating 1 October 1998. A new regional asbestos order is being prepared, but no general sale requirement has been announced. Flanders already requires the asbestattest for covered transfers through OVAM.