Planning reports are informative documents that are issued on request by the local authority in which the property is located. These documents can be requested before starting building work or buying a piece of land, to check the full planning status of the property.
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In Flanders, the Decreet Ruimtelijke Ordening (D.R.O. or Decree on Regional Planning) of 18 May 1999 grants local authorities more autonomy in the area of planning.
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In Flanders, Article 142 of the D.R.O. (Decree on Regional Planning) makes it compulsory to disclose planning information in advertisements. This measure is primarily designed to protect the potential buyer or lessee of a piece of land or property.
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The life insurance premium that you have taken out is taken into account for the deduction for your own and only home if the following conditions are met:
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If you protect your personal residence against burglary and fire, you have been able to benefit from a tax reduction since the 2008 tax year.
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Any landlord letting one or more dwellings through a social letting office can benefit from a tax reduction for each dwelling if he has them renovated.
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Theft insurance is generally included with fire and contents insurance.
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Fire insurance is not compulsory, although it is often required under real estate agreements:
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Insurance against natural disasters was introduced on 1 March 2006. Your fire insurance now also covers damage resulting from natural causes, provided that the appropriate government body has declared that your region or town has been affected by a natural disaster.
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It's a good idea to take out insurance; it's also important to make sure you are suitably covered. Here are a few practical tips to help you navigate the world of insurance and avoid making mistakes which could prove costly.
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In recent years, a problem has emerged for the future policyholder: choosing between bank insurance, brokerage and direct insurance.
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An increasing number of insurance companies are offering policies which group together several different types of cover. Is this the best solution?
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"Over-insurance" is more common than you may think, as a lot of umbrella policies cover a multitude of risks.
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When arranging an insurance policy, be careful to distinguish between a "proposal" and a "policy".
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Signing a preliminary sale agreement before a solicitor offers a valuable benefit. The vast majority of solicitors arrange insurance to cover the accidental death of the buyer.
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Insurance policies and premiums always refer to an index of the Belgian Association of Surveyors, commonly called the ABEX index.
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If a property insured at its replacement cost is destroyed, the compensation will be its current market value, rather than the purchase price. This is particularly beneficial for real estate, given the recent surge in prices.
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In the event of a claim for an incident such as a burglary or fire, the insurance company will only pay you compensation if you can prove what you have lost.
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Despite the diligence of the broker or the helpfulness of the insurance company representative, there is always the possibility that the insurer will refuse to pay compensation for a claim.
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The owner of a building must ensure that his or her property is insured against fire. This cover is often incorporated into an all-in-one policy which also includes theft insurance. This type of insurance should not be disregarded.
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Certain bodies have been set up to help people with modest incomes purchase a property. These bodies are the Housing Funds or Regional Housing Corporations. There are two main ways in which these bodies can help: with mortgage loans and allowances.
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For effective house hunting, don't waste time with properties that aren't right for you: draw up a list of criteria, in order of priority, and try to stick to it.
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Before putting a property up for sale, the notary drafts a deed covering all the conditions of sale.
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The importance of visiting the property, and visiting it again, can't be stressed strongly enough, when you are making a decision as huge as buying a home. This is the time for sharp eyes and a cool head... especially if you've really fallen in love with the place!
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A mortgage is a loan relating to a property. The creditor (bank, insurance company etc.) lends a sum of money to the buyer who gives the building as security. The buyer can keep the building so long as repayment of the loan is guaranteed.
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