HOW WE WORK
From request to investigation report
Clear agreements at every stage.
An investigation into real estate abroad calls for a careful and transparent approach. We guide every stage, from the first request to the report. You know the assignment, the expected lead time and the costs in advance.
STEPS
Our approach in five steps
Request and intake
usually 2 working daysYou submit a request via the form, by e-mail or by phone. We usually contact you within two working days. We discuss the case in broad terms, the presumed country of investigation and what you intend to do with the outcome.
Assessment and quotation
a few daysWe assess whether an investigation in the country concerned is possible and which services can be carried out there. You receive a written quotation with a description of the assignment and an indication of the lead time. After your approval, you are given access to the secure channel for the case data.
Pre-check
usually 1–2 weeksOur local partners check whether there are assets in the name of the person investigated in the country concerned and what type of assets they are, without further in-depth investigation. The pre-check usually takes 1 to 2 weeks after receipt of all the necessary data. You receive the result in writing. With it, we explain what was investigated, which limitations apply and which further investigation may be useful.
Full in-depth investigation and report
usually 2–4 weeksFor the full investigation you receive a separate quotation. We only start after your approval of the quotation. Locally authorised lawyers and appraisers establish, in accordance with the law of the country of investigation, which properties are involved, where they are located, in whose name they are registered and since when. Where relevant and possible, they also investigate the ownership share, the date of acquisition, the manner of acquisition and the value. This gives you a full and detailed picture. You receive a clear report in English with the findings, the substantiation and an explanation of the limitations. The investigation usually takes 2 to 4 weeks after your confirmation of the assignment and receipt of the necessary data and documents.
Explanation and aftercare
ongoingWe continue to support you after delivery. We answer questions about the findings, provide explanations to the lawyers involved or the court where necessary and, on request, arrange a sworn translation of the source documents. If your case requires additional work, you receive a separate quotation for it in advance.
DATA PROTECTION
Confidential and secure data processing
COLLABORATION
Collaboration and costs
A clear start
In a confidential discussion, we go through your question and the services you require. In advance, you receive a written quotation with a description of the assignment, an indication of the lead time and the costs. We only start after your approval.
You stay in control
You know the costs in advance. A positive result does not automatically lead to a follow-up assignment. For a full investigation, a valuation or other additional work, you first receive a separate quotation.
A dedicated point of contact for your case
You have a dedicated point of contact for questions about your assignment. We keep you informed of the progress and of any delays. After delivery, we remain available to explain the findings.
Costs and possible savings
The financial significance depends on the individual case.
Where the findings give cause for recovery or for preventing unjustified payments in the future, the financial significance can be considerable.
The added value can extend beyond the moment the investigation is completed. A correct assessment for the longer term and the careful use of public funds also play a part.
Whether recovery or adjustment of support is possible depends on the individual case and on the assessment by the competent authority or the court. We make no promises of results in this regard.
A targeted use of your budget
First an initial picture, then a well-founded choice about the next steps.
With the pre-check as a first step, you establish whether there are indications of real estate registered in the name of the person concerned. On that basis, you decide whether further investigation, such as the full in-depth investigation, is useful. If another form of investigation is more suitable, we discuss the purpose and the costs of the assignment in advance. This allows you to weigh the expected added value against the expenditure.
Lawfulness
Investigation in accordance with the law of the country of investigation, into real estate only.
We carry out every investigation in accordance with the laws and regulations of the country of investigation, through lawyers and appraisers who are authorised there. The investigation is carried out in compliance with the GDPR rules, the applicable privacy rules and local legislation. We investigate only real estate registered in the name of the person concerned. We do not investigate on the basis of origin, and never the private life, behaviour or contacts of the person concerned.
Investigations and reports by Bureaubuitenland have been used in court proceedings in Belgium and the Netherlands concerning foreign property. In specific cases, judges have taken the investigation findings into account, including the justice of the peace (vrederechter) in Hamme (6 June 2019), the court of first instance in Antwerp (5 October 2020) and the justice of the peace court in Antwerp in the Woonhaven case. In those cases, defences based on privacy and anti-discrimination legislation were not upheld. Each ruling relates to a specific case and offers no guarantee for the outcome of another case. The judge assesses the evidential value of the documents submitted.
Read also
When may you start a property investigation? Suspicion, GDPR and case building
When may you start a property investigation? Which suspicion is sufficient, what the GDPR requires, what is not allowed and how to build the case file.
Read more
About us
Bureaubuitenland België BV, Antwerp: investigations into real estate abroad for OCMWs and housing companies, in 45 countries.
Read more
Case law
Case law on foreign real estate owned by social tenants: Hamme 2019, Antwerp 2020, Woonhaven, Constitutional Court 2024 and Cassation 2026.
Read moreCASE LAW
What the court says
Justice of the peace Hamme
6 June 2019
Defences based on privacy and anti-discrimination rejected; the tenant was ordered to repay and to reimburse the investigation costs.
Read the judgmentCourt of first instance Antwerp
5 October 2020
On appeal, it was held that concealing foreign real estate is a serious breach of the rules on social renting.
Read the judgmentJustice of the peace court Antwerp
Woonhaven case
The justice of the peace held that, given its remit, a housing company must investigate property abroad.
Read the judgmentTake the first step
We only start after your approval of the quotation. Do you have indications that a person concerned owns real estate abroad? We discuss your case with you and advise which investigation is appropriate. You receive in advance a description of the assignment, an indication of the lead time and a written quotation.