When is an electrical inspection mandatory?
In Belgium, an inspection of the electrical installation is mandatory when selling a residential property if the installation dates from before 1 October 1981 and has never undergone a compliance inspection. The inspection must be carried out by a body approved by the FPS Economy.
If the installation has been completely rewired and recently passed a compliance inspection, that document may be sufficient. Your notary will tell you what is required in your specific situation.
Who orders the inspection?
The seller has the electrical inspection carried out. The report is handed to the buyer at the signing of the deed of sale, and the notary refers to it in the deed.
In practice, it is best to order it before the sales agreement. The buyer then commits with full knowledge of the facts, and non-compliance does not surface at the last minute.
What the inspection checks
The approved body checks that the electrical installation complies with current standards. Among other things, it checks:
- The presence and proper working of the consumer unit and circuit breakers.
- The earthing of the installation.
- The residual current protection.
- The condition of cables and sockets.
- The compliance of installations in wet rooms (bathroom, kitchen).
The report lists the breaches found and classifies them by severity.
What happens if the installation does not comply?
A non-compliant installation does not prevent the sale. It does, however, have practical consequences. The buyer has eighteen months after the signing of the deed of sale to bring the installation into compliance and have a new inspection carried out.
In practice, non-compliance is often used as a bargaining point. The buyer may ask for a price reduction to cover the cost of the remedial works. The seller may also choose to have the works done before the sale to remove that argument.
The cost of the inspection
The cost of an electrical inspection varies with the approved body and the size of the property. It is generally between 150 and 400 euros for a family home. That is a modest outlay compared with what is at stake in a property sale.
Plan ahead to avoid hold-ups
Ordering the electrical inspection early in the sales process makes it possible to anticipate any non-compliance and decide calmly on the next step: carry out the works, adjust the price or simply inform buyers. YOUHOME supports owners through this step and coordinates the various administrative stages of the sale.
