12 November 2026
Selling a house in Brussels: what if the electrical inspection fails?
Before a home is sold, an inspection of the electrical installation is mandatory. If the report finds it non-compliant, the buyer must have the defects fixed within a set period. Here is how to handle it.
In Belgium, selling a dwelling requires an inspection of the electrical installation by an accredited body, under the RGIE/AREI (General Regulation on Electrical Installations). The report is handed to the notary and attached to the deed.
Compliant or non-compliant
If the installation is compliant, the report generally remains valid for 25 years. If it is not, the sale can still go ahead, but the buyer takes over the obligation to have the listed defects corrected.
The 18-month deadline
After the deed of sale, the buyer has 18 months to carry out the work and pass a new inspection, normally with the same body. Check the exact conditions with your notary or the inspection body.
The most common defects
No 30 mA residual-current device, inadequate earthing, missing wiring diagrams, an outdated fuse board or overloaded circuits. The report lists each defect: the ideal basis for an electrician to quote the work.
How to get started
Don't let the deadline slip. Take photos of the report and the fuse board, then describe your situation on VoltBrux: a vetted electrician from your municipality picks up your request and quotes the compliance work.