heating
My rights
According to regulations, the heating system must be installed and maintained by a professional. It must also comply with the safety rules set by the Brussels-Capital Region.
For example
- The boiler must have a inspection certificate (every 2 years for gas, every year for oil).
- Chimneys or ducts must be sweptSwept: When chimney or smoke evacuation ducts have been cleaned to ensure good air circulation and prevent fires or intoxication.
regularly.
- Electric radiators must be approvedApproved: Devices tested and validated according to official standards. They can be used with confidence, as their safety has been verified., with no damaged wires or overheating.
Before signing the lease, you can ask for:
- The certificates of conformity Certificate of conformity: Official document issued after a technical inspection, proving that a device (such as a boiler) complies with safety rules.(boiler, water heater…);
- The proof of recent maintenance (invoice, certificate, EPC attestation…).
In summary: the heating must work, be compliant, and not endanger the residents.
Tasks
Provide a compliant heating system
Provide the conformity/maintenance certificates
Repair structural failuresStructural failures: Malfunctions linked to the natural wear of the equipment or its age (e.g., cracked pipe, end-of-life boiler). or due to obsolescenceObsolescence: When equipment becomes faulty or less efficient due to time (e.g., rusty radiator). This is not related to misuse.
Carry out regular maintenance (boiler, water heater…)
Pay for repairs due to lack of maintenance
Bleed the radiatorsBleed (a radiator): Action of releasing trapped air in a radiator so that hot water circulates properly and it heats better., monitor the pressure
Landlords
Tenants
In case of doubt, inform your landlord in writing (by email or registered mail) and keep a record of all written exchanges.