Since 2021, Jean-François, owner of an apartment in Brussels, has been fighting to resolve a serious problem of sewage rising in the bathroom. Despite repeated interventions, the situation remains blocked according to him…
Jean-François, 42, deplores a situation that has become untenable. Since August 2021, regular rises of wastewater have invaded the bathtub of his apartment. “These foul-smelling waters, loaded with black and stagnant residue, make the bathroom unusable and expose tenants to an unsanitary environment”he explains.
In 2021, a previous tenant had already requested a rent reduction due to this problem. Today, it is a mother and her 11-year-old daughter who occupy the accommodation, and who are subject to these inconveniences.
Despite multiple alerts to the trustee, Jean-François denounces a worrying inertia: “Despite sending photos, videos and documented evidence, my incessant reminders to the building union remained without consequences.”
Also read: For the first time in Belgium, drinking water from wastewater
Commissioned plumbers confirmed that only a complete overhaul of the pipes could solve the problem. In June 2024, the General Meeting of co-owners validated this necessary work.
But according to the forty-year-old, the situation is not changing. “Faced with this incomprehensible inertia, I had to call on a lawyer to draft a formal notice. It is scandalous given the responsibilities of the trustee,” Jean-François is indignant.
What would happen if my tenant or her daughter contracted an illness?
The situation is all the more critical as it raises questions of public health and legal liability. “What would happen if my tenant or her daughter contracted an illness related to this exposure?”he asks himself.
The man is also worried about the implications for a possible sale of his property. “If this problem is not communicated, can it be considered a hidden defect? If so, this would result in a significant financial loss”he explains. Before adding: “Who would be responsible?”
The trustee’s response
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Selim Benzaghou, representative of the union, does not understand Jean-François’ anger, since he claims to have taken the problem into account and tried to remedy it.
“The plumber diagnosed a crushed pipe on the ground floor. Part of the wall was opened, but we now have to access a neighboring apartment, which complicates the work”he explains.
Also read
The Tenants Union requests rehousing or compensation in the event of work
He also defends the management of the file by the trustee: “We have contacted the necessary companies, but they have their own constraints and agendas. I cannot constantly run behind all the trades.”
However, this explanation does not satisfy Jean-François: “Yes, there was follow-up, but it’s been going on for more than three years. My tenant has to disinfect the bathtub every time. For this family, it’s bordering on unsanitary.”
What obligations in the event of a sale?
Regarding liability in the event of sale of the property, we questioned the Federal Public Service. Dorien Dockx, lawyer for the FPS justice, answers the questions posed by Jean François.
He explains that when selling a co-owned lot, the seller must provide important documents (funds, debts, minutes, etc.) to the buyer. These documents must be requested from the union within 15 days.
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If Jean-François decides to sell his apartment, he will then have to inform the buyer of the problems linked to wastewater, and send him the documents relating to these concerns.
On the other hand, debts linked to work decided before the sale of the property are generally the responsibility of the buyer.
alert us unsanitary unsanitary housing housing rental union
## World-Today-News Exclusive Interview: When Sewage Becomes a Legal Nightmare
**Brussels, Belgium:** For over two years, Jean-François, a landlord in Brussels, has been locked in a frustrating battle with sewage rising from the pipes in his rental property. this isn’t a simple plumbing problem – it’s a story of tenant safety, landlord duty, adn the complexities of Belgian housing law.
**World-Today-News** spoke to Jean-François, a visibly exasperated man, to understand the unfolding crisis.
**WTN:** Jean-François, thank you for speaking with us. Can you describe the situation in your rental apartment?
**JF:** It’s been a nightmare.Since August 2021, my tenants, a mother and her daughter, have been facing regular sewage backups in the bathtub. Imagine foul-smelling, black, stagnant water – it’s wholly unsanitary and makes the entire bathroom unusable.
**WTN:** Have you tried contacting the building manager about this issue?
**JF:** Repeatedly. I’ve sent photos, videos, documented evidence – even a previous tenant requested a rent reduction because of this problem. But the building management ignored my pleas for months.
**WTN:** a solution was agreed upon – the pipes need a complete overhaul. What happened next?
**JF:** The general Meeting of co-owners approved the necessary works in June 2024. However, nothing has changed. My tenants are still living with this sewage problem.
**WTN:** This raises serious concerns about safety and liability. What are your fears?
**JF:** Exactly! What if my tenants get sick because of this exposure? Who is responsible? It’s deeply concerning, and frankly, it’s infuriating that the building management has shown such blatant disregard for the well-being of its tenants. To top it off, I’ve had to hire a lawyer to send a formal notice, as a last resort.
**WTN:** What message do you have for landlords facing similar situations?
**JF:** Don’t let inertia win. Document everything, don’t hesitate to seek professional help, and remember: your tenants’ health and safety are paramount. This isn’t just about a leaky pipe; it’s about holding those responsible accountable for providing safe and habitable housing.
**WTN:** Thank you, Jean-François, for sharing your story. We hope this situation is resolved swiftly and fairly for your tenants and yourself.
**This story sheds light on a systemic issue within the Belgian housing market.
It highlights:**
* **The importance of landlord responsibility in ensuring tenant safety and well-being.**
* **The challenges of dealing with unresponsive building management.**
* **The potential legal ramifications for landlords who fail to address serious issues affecting their tenants’ health and safety.**
World-Today-News will continue to follow this story and provide updates on its progress.
