How do estate agency fees work in Belgium?
In Belgium, estate agency fees are not regulated by law. Each agency sets its rates freely, within the framework of a sales mandate signed with the owner. There is no statutory rate or official scale.
Fees are generally expressed as a percentage of the sale price, excluding VAT. They vary according to the agency, the type of property, the region and the services included in the mandate.
The different types of mandate
The exclusive mandate
An exclusive mandate entrusts the sale of the property to a single agency for a fixed period. In return, the agency generally undertakes to invest more in marketing: professional photos, wide advertising, personalised support. It is the most common type of mandate for quality residential properties.
The simple mandate
A simple mandate allows the owner to entrust the sale to several agencies at the same time, or to sell the property themselves in parallel. In practice, this type of mandate generates less commitment from agencies, which invest less in marketing a property they are not sure of selling.
What the fees cover
Agency fees generally cover:
- The valuation of the property and the valuation report.
- Preparation of the sale file.
- Professional photos and the property description.
- Advertising on property portals and the agency's own channels.
- Organising and managing viewings.
- Negotiating with buyers.
- Administrative follow-up through to the signing of the deed of sale.
Some agencies offer additional services: home staging, video, 3D plans, international advertising. These services may be included in the fees or invoiced separately.
Who pays the fees?
In Belgium, agency fees are generally borne by the seller. They are deducted from the sale price when the deed of sale is signed. The buyer does not pay the seller's agency fees directly.
Some agencies operate a system in which the fees are shared between seller and buyer. This is less common and must be clearly stated in the mandate.
How to compare offers
Comparing the fees of several agencies is legitimate. But the fee rate should not be the only criterion. The quality of service, knowledge of the local market, the buyer network, the marketing method and the agency's reputation count just as much, if not more.
An agency that sells your property at the right price, quickly and without complications, is worth more than a cheaper agency that leaves your property languishing on the market for months.
Transparency at YOUHOME
YOUHOME sets out its fees clearly from the very first meeting. The sales mandate details the services included, the conditions and the length of the commitment. The aim is a relationship of trust, with no surprises.
