For housing companies, OCMWs and municipalities
Real estate abroad? We bring it into view.
Investigations into real estate in 45 countries. Clear reports in English. A substantiated basis for your case.
SERVICES
Clarity about assets abroad
Pre-check
An initial investigation into the presence of real estate registered in the name of the person concerned. Lead time usually 1 to 2 weeks.
Read moreFull in-depth investigation
A thorough investigation into the real estate found, with relevant documents and a clear report in English. Lead time usually 2 to 4 weeks.
Read moreAre there indications of assets abroad?
Bureaubuitenland België investigates the ownership situation and, where possible, the date of acquisition and the value. The lead time may vary by country and case. We discuss valuation and (sworn) translation in advance, if your case requires it.
TYPES OF INVESTIGATION
Who we carry out investigations for
OCMWs
We support OCMWs in tracing and investigating real estate abroad. Our investigation reports provide reliable, documented information to support the assessment of cases and the taking of appropriate decisions.
Services for OCMWsHousing companies
We investigate whether prospective tenants and social tenants own real estate abroad. Our substantiated reports help your housing company to carefully assess compliance with the property ownership conditions for social housing.
Services for housing companiesMunicipalities and social inspection services
We trace real estate abroad and investigate who the owner is. With substantiated reports we support your case in financial investigations, bankruptcies, legal proceedings and other matters in which property abroad plays a role.
All target groupsHOW WE WORK
From research question to substantiated insight
Discuss your case
We assess your research request and look at which information is needed and available. You get clarity in advance about the investigation options, the approach, the expected lead time and the costs.
We carry out the investigation
We coordinate the investigation with our local partners. They check whether real estate are registered in the name of the person concerned, in compliance with the GDPR rules and the applicable local legislation.
You receive the investigation results
You receive a carefully prepared report with the investigation findings, the available supporting documents and an explanation. This gives your organisation a substantiated basis for assessing the case and justifying its decision.
RESEARCH COUNTRIES
Local experts in 45 countries
For the countries below you will find a dedicated country page with practical information and points of attention for your case. The investigation options and required documents differ per country and per case. Is the country your question concerns not listed? Feel free to contact us. We will look at what is possible within the local laws and regulations and whether we can have the investigation carried out for you.
No country found. Ask about the possibilities below.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM US
Careful, verifiable and confidential
Careful handling of personal data
We conclude a data processing agreement with every client and exchange case data exclusively via a secure channel. The website form is intended for contact requests only. Do not share personal data of the persons concerned or confidential case information in it.
Report in English
You receive a carefully prepared report with the findings, substantiation and available supporting documents. A concrete basis for assessing your case and supporting administrative or legal proceedings.
Clear agreements in advance
Before the start, we agree on the scope of the investigation, the expected lead time and the costs. For a follow-up investigation you first receive a separate quotation.
Case law from practice
Belgian courts have taken foreign investigation findings into account in concrete cases. See the judgments and their significance in our case law overview. Every case is assessed on its own facts and circumstances.
Background for your case
The property ownership condition in the Flemish Housing Code explained
What the property ownership condition for social housing means: no home or building land in Belgium or abroad, exceptions, duty to report, consequences.
Read more
What the Belgian courts say about foreign property investigation
Hamme 2019, Antwerp 2020 and Woonhaven: how the Belgian courts rule on investigation into property abroad, privacy and investigation costs.
Read more
Sworn declaration in social housing: why a signature is not a check
What the sworn declaration on foreign property entails, why it is not evidence and how a housing company does verify the condition.
Read moreFrequently asked questions
A pre-check is an initial investigation into whether there are leads pointing to real estate registered in the name of the person concerned in the research country. You receive an overview of the findings: whether there are assets in the country concerned and what kind of assets they are, without deeper investigation. A complete and detailed picture is provided by the full in-depth investigation. The lead time of a pre-check is usually 1 to 2 weeks.
The full name, date of birth and place of birth of the person concerned. You may additionally state a known municipality or region and a local identification number. We assess in advance whether the data are sufficient to start the investigation.
In 45 countries, within and outside Europe, with local experts on the ground. Twenty countries have a dedicated country page on this site; for other countries, we assess per case what is possible.
The costs depend on the country and the scope of the assignment. We confirm the costs of a pre-check and of any follow-up investigation in writing in advance.
We carry out the investigation in compliance with the GDPR and the applicable local legislation. In advance, we define the purpose, the scope and the responsibilities. When we act as a processor for your organisation, we conclude a data processing agreement.
The investigation focuses on real estate registered in the name of the person concerned. The reason is a concrete research question within your case. Case data are treated confidentially and exchanged exclusively via a secure channel.
The investigation provides insight into real estate registered in the name of the person concerned. If no real estate is found, we state which countries, sources and period that outcome relates to.
Your organisation assesses the findings in conjunction with the other case data and decides on any further steps.
A specific research question?
We think along with you about the appropriate approach and respond promptly. Also for social services, lawyers, bailiffs (gerechtsdeurwaarders) and other legal professionals.