The EPB energy certificate in Brussels: rent and sale

When is it required?

• Sale or rental of an individual dwelling. Bruxelles Environnement’s professional page sets the threshold at dwellings of more than 18 m², plus offices of more than 500 m². Other non-residential units are only covered later.
• Before the property is marketed. The owner is responsible for having the certificate made, for passing it on, and for providing a valid copy free of charge to anyone interested.
• At the sale deed. The seller must hand over the certificate at the deed. Notaries must report to the administration properties offered for sale without one.
• At the lease. Under art. 217 of the Brussels Housing Code, the landlord must give the tenant the EPB certificate at the latest when the lease is concluded. be.brussels adds that this must be done before signing.

Bruxelles Environnement says every property will have to hold a valid certificate at the earliest from the end of 2030, with the date to be set by the energy minister. Until then, the requirement is tied to sale and rental.

What the certificate says

An EPB assessor visits the home and uses documents the owner supplies. The certificate contains:

• the identification of the unit;
• the energy performance (kWh/m²/year of primary energy) and the class A to G;
• CO₂ emissions (kg/m²/year) and any renewable energy;
• information on financial help and support;
• a recommended renovation scenario with the works advised;
• the data entered (insulation, windows, heating systems).

For orientation, Bruxelles Environnement gives one example: 133 to 150 kWh/m²/year corresponds to class C. The pages read do not list the thresholds for the other classes.

Validity and updates

A certificate is valid for 10 years. It can be revoked if a check shows wrong information. After ten years it must be updated for a sale or a lease. An earlier update is recommended after energy works, when new supporting documents appear, or if the certificate dates from before 2017.

Advertising

Sale and rental listings must show the energy class and the kWh/m²/year figure. The certificate must be available from the time the property is listed. Bruxelles Environnement checks listings and deeds several times a year.

The public register

The register of Brussels dwelling certificates at peb-epb.brussels can be searched by address or certificate number, for individual dwellings. A new certificate is normally available within 24 hours.

EPB and rent indexation

The certificate has a direct effect on rent:

• A landlord can index the rent only if a valid EPB certificate has been given to the tenant. If it has expired, a new one is needed before any indexation.
• For leases that took effect before 14 October 2022, a correction factor lowers the indexation for homes rated E, F or G. See Rent indexation in Brussels.

The EPB data (class) is also asked for when the lease is registered.

Sanctions

An owner without a certificate risks a criminal sanction. Where the prosecutor does not pursue the case, an administrative fine of €50 to €62,500 can be imposed. Assessors face suspension or withdrawal of their approval.

Buying a home

If you buy, the certificate comes with the deed, and it shows the likely renovation needs. Read the recommended works and compare them with your budget, see Purchase costs in Belgium. The rules above are Brussels rules: Wallonia and Flanders run their own regional certificate systems.

Which professional to consult

• An EPB assessor approved by Bruxelles Environnement: check the official list of approved assessors for individual dwellings.
• An estate agent, who normally orders the certificate when marketing a property.
• A surveyor or energy adviser for the renovation scenario.