{"id":603,"date":"2026-10-25T13:44:22","date_gmt":"2026-10-25T12:44:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/knowledge-base\/framework-agreement\/"},"modified":"2026-11-04T10:13:50","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T09:13:50","slug":"framework-agreement","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/knowledge-base\/framework-agreement\/","title":{"rendered":"The Flemish framework agreement for foreign property investigation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><section class=\"bb-sectie bb-artikelkop bb-artikelkop--beeld\" id=\"artikelkop\" data-bg=\"primary\" style=\"--bb-ak-img:url(https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb\/kb-raamovereenkomst.webp)\"><div class=\"bb-container bb-artikelkop__inhoud\"><p class=\"bb-kicker\">KNOWLEDGE BASE \u00b7 SOCIAL HOUSING<\/p><h1>The Flemish framework agreement for foreign property investigation<\/h1><p class=\"bb-artikelkop__meta\">Reading time 7 minutes \u00b7 updated October 2026<\/p><div class=\"bb-artikelkop__kort\"><p class=\"bb-kicker\">In brief<\/p><\/p>\n<p>Since March 2021, all Flemish housing companies can have investigations into tenants' foreign property carried out without a tender of their own. For this purpose the Flemish government concluded a framework agreement with five investigation agencies for 41 countries and reimburses the costs in full or for the most part. This article explains how this works, what it costs and what the figures show so far.<\/p>\n<p><\/div><\/div><\/section><nav class=\"bb-breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\"><div class=\"bb-container\"><ol><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/\">Home<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/knowledge-base\/\">Knowledge base<\/a><\/li><li><span aria-current=\"page\">The Flemish framework agreement for foreign property investigation<\/span><\/li><\/ol><\/div><\/nav><section class=\"bb-sectie bb-kolommen\" id=\"inhoud\" data-bg=\"paper\"><div class=\"bb-container\"><div class=\"bb-kolommen__grid\"><div class=\"bb-kolom bb-kolom--hoofd\"><section class=\"bb-sectie bb-sectie--tekst\" id=\"wat-het-is\" data-bg=\"paper\"><div class=\"bb-container\"><h2>What the framework agreement is<\/h2><div class=\"bb-tekst\"><\/p>\n<p>Until 2021, every social housing company that wanted to have foreign property investigated had to find an agency itself and launch a public procurement procedure. A few companies, such as Woonhaven in Antwerp and De Zonnige Woonst in Hamme, did so, successfully before the courts. Most companies did not: too much work, too uncertain and too expensive.<\/p>\n<p>That is why the Flemish government, through the then VMSW (Flemish Social Housing Society) and now the agency Wonen in Vlaanderen, concluded a framework agreement with five private investigation agencies in March 2021. The agreement covers investigation in 41 countries; that number relates to the framework agreement, not to the reach of an individual agency. The Flemish Minister for Housing earmarked 5 million euros for it. Every housing company can use it by placing an order; the tendering has already been done.<\/p>\n<p><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bb-sectie bb-sectie--tekst\" id=\"wie-kan-deelnemen\" data-bg=\"paper\"><div class=\"bb-container\"><h2>Who can take part<\/h2><div class=\"bb-tekst\"><\/p>\n<p>The framework agreement is open to all Flemish housing companies, the successors of the social housing companies and social rental agencies. A company does not need to register in advance; per case or per series of cases it places an assignment with one of the agencies in the agreement and then applies for reimbursement from Wonen in Vlaanderen.<\/p>\n<p>Public centres for social welfare (OCMWs) do not fall under this framework agreement. An OCMW that wants to have an investigation carried out in connection with the living wage (leefloon) or other support concludes an assignment with an agency itself. How that works is described on the page <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/services\/for-public-social-welfare-centres\/\">for OCMWs<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bb-sectie bb-sectie--tekst\" id=\"terugbetaling\" data-bg=\"paper\"><div class=\"bb-container\"><h2>What Wonen in Vlaanderen reimburses<\/h2><div class=\"bb-tekst\"><\/p>\n<p>The strongest element of the scheme is the reimbursement. Wonen in Vlaanderen reimburses the costs of an investigation:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>in full<\/strong> if the investigation produces a hit, that is, if real estate is found in the tenant&#8217;s name;<\/li>\n<li><strong>75 percent<\/strong> if there is no hit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In the worst case, a housing company therefore pays a quarter of the investigation costs. In the event of a hit it pays nothing, and it can in addition recover the social rent reduction and, depending on the court, the investigation costs from the tenant.<\/p>\n<p><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bb-sectie bb-sectie--tekst\" id=\"doorlooptijd-en-kosten\" data-bg=\"paper\"><div class=\"bb-container\"><h2>Lead time and costs in the framework agreement<\/h2><div class=\"bb-tekst\"><\/p>\n<p>The framework agreement has two types of investigation, with different rates and periods per country.<\/p>\n<p><\/div><\/div><\/section><div class=\"bb-tabel-wrap\" id=\"tabel\"><table class=\"bb-tabel bb-tabel--vergelijk\"><thead><tr><th scope=\"col\"><\/th><th scope=\"col\">Preliminary investigation<\/th><th scope=\"col\">Full investigation<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><th scope=\"row\">Purpose<\/th><td>checking whether real estate is registered in the person's name<\/td><td>complete determination with documents and value<\/td><\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\">Costs<\/th><td>150 to 5,222 euros<\/td><td>2,275 to 12,335 euros<\/td><\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\">Lead time<\/th><td>3 to 30 days<\/td><td>6 to 90 days<\/td><\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\">Reimbursement<\/th><td>in full in case of a hit, 75% without<\/td><td>in full in case of a hit, 75% without<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><section class=\"bb-sectie bb-sectie--tekst\" id=\"spreiding\" data-bg=\"paper\"><div class=\"bb-container\"><h2>Why the rates vary so much<\/h2><div class=\"bb-tekst\"><\/p>\n<p>The wide spread is due to the countries: an investigation in a country with a public online land registry is quick and cheap, an investigation in a country with unregistered property and scattered registers is not. The requests concern countries inside and outside Europe; in spring 2022 Italy produced the most hits, followed by T\u00fcrkiye (VRT NWS).<\/p>\n<p><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bb-sectie bb-sectie--tekst\" id=\"cijfers\" data-bg=\"paper\"><div class=\"bb-container\"><h2>What the figures show<\/h2><div class=\"bb-tekst\"><\/p>\n<p>From March 2021 to the end of 2022, 35 housing companies had 677 investigations carried out. Real estate was found in 322 cases: a hit rate of 48 percent. In Limburg it was even 53 percent. Woonhaven Antwerp alone recovered 1 million euros. Up to May 2024, 3 million euros had been recovered across Flanders.<\/p>\n<p>In 2025, only 89 reimbursement requests were submitted, with 39 hits (43.8 percent). Use of the scheme is therefore falling sharply, while the hit rate remains high. In other words: many cases involving a suspicion may no longer be investigated. A more extensive analysis can be found in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/knowledge-base\/figures-flanders\/\">Figures: 677 investigations, 48% hits<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bb-sectie bb-sectie--tekst\" id=\"hoe-aanvragen\" data-bg=\"paper\"><div class=\"bb-container\"><h2>How to request an investigation<\/h2><div class=\"bb-tekst\"><\/p>\n<p>An investigation always begins with a case in which a concrete suspicion exists: a long stay abroad, an address abroad in correspondence or on social media, an inheritance that is being discussed, an income that does not fit the spending pattern. Investigation without suspicion, or on the basis of origin alone, is not permitted.<\/p>\n<p>The practical steps:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Gather the identity details of the tenant and the suspected country and region of origin.<\/li>\n<li>Have a preliminary investigation or pre-check carried out to find out whether anything is registered in their name.<\/li>\n<li>If the outcome is positive, consider a full investigation, with separate arrangements made in advance, including land registry extract, (sworn) translation and, where necessary, a valuation.<\/li>\n<li>Hear the tenant, recover the social rent reduction and, where necessary, terminate the lease.<\/li>\n<li>Apply to Wonen in Vlaanderen for reimbursement of the investigation costs.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Outside the framework agreement, you can also commission an investigation directly. At Bureaubuitenland Belgi\u00eb, every case begins with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/services\/pre-check\/\">pre-check<\/a> of usually 1 to 2 weeks. Only then do you decide, on the basis of a written estimate, whether an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/services\/full-investigation\/\">in-depth asset investigation<\/a> is necessary.<\/p>\n<p><em>Sources: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vrt.be\/vrtnws\/nl\/2020\/12\/10\/vlaamse-regering-trekt-5-miljoen-uit-voor-vermogensonderzoek-van\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">VRT NWS, 10 December 2020<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.knack.be\/nieuws\/belgie\/diependaele-rolt-buitenlands-eigendomsonderzoek-over-heel-vlaanderen-uit\/article-news-1714279.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Knack<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.n-va.be\/nieuws\/eigendomsonderzoek-loont-al-322-sociale-huurders-betrapt-met-eigendom-in-buitenland\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">N-VA press release on the first results<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vrt.be\/vrtnws\/nl\/2022\/04\/12\/al-189-sociale-huurders-betrapt-die-zelf-woning-hebben-in-het-bu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">VRT NWS, 12 April 2022<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vlaanderen.be\/wonen-in-vlaanderen\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wonen in Vlaanderen<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><\/div><\/div><\/section><\/div><div class=\"bb-kolom bb-kolom--zij\"><aside class=\"bb-kaart bb-ihk\" id=\"in-het-kort\"><p class=\"bb-kicker\">Overview<\/p><h2 class=\"bb-ihk__kop\">In brief<\/h2><dl class=\"bb-ihk__lijst\"><div><dt>Lead time<\/dt><dd>usually 1\u20132 weeks<\/dd><\/div><\/dl><p class=\"bb-ihk__knop\"><a class=\"bb-knop\" href=\"\/en\/request-a-pre-check\/\">Request a pre-check<\/a><\/p><ul class=\"bb-ihk__trust\"><li><span class=\"bb-icoon material-symbols-outlined\" aria-hidden=\"true\">check_circle<\/span><span>Carried out in accordance with the GDPR<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/aside><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bb-sectie bb-sectie--panel bb-faq-sectie\" id=\"faq\" data-bg=\"panel\"><div class=\"bb-container\"><h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2><div class=\"bb-faq\"><div class=\"bb-faq__item\"><h3 class=\"bb-faq__vraag\"><button type=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"faq-faq-0\" id=\"faq-faq-0-knop\">Does my housing company have to launch a public procurement procedure itself?<span class=\"bb-faq__icoon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/h3><div class=\"bb-faq__antwoord\" id=\"faq-faq-0\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"faq-faq-0-knop\"><p>No. The framework agreement is a public contract that the Flemish government has already awarded. A housing company places an order with one of the agencies in the agreement.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"bb-faq__item\"><h3 class=\"bb-faq__vraag\"><button type=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"faq-faq-1\" id=\"faq-faq-1-knop\">Does the reimbursement also apply if the tenant has meanwhile sold the home?<span class=\"bb-faq__icoon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/h3><div class=\"bb-faq__antwoord\" id=\"faq-faq-1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"faq-faq-1-knop\" hidden><p>The reimbursement depends on the outcome of the investigation, not on what the tenant does afterwards. A hit remains a hit; the conditions of Wonen in Vlaanderen are decisive on this point.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"bb-faq__item\"><h3 class=\"bb-faq__vraag\"><button type=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"faq-faq-2\" id=\"faq-faq-2-knop\">Can an OCMW use the framework agreement?<span class=\"bb-faq__icoon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/h3><div class=\"bb-faq__antwoord\" id=\"faq-faq-2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"faq-faq-2-knop\" hidden><p>No. The framework agreement applies to housing companies. OCMWs conclude an assignment themselves; our pre-check is also open to them.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bb-sectie bb-kaarten bb-kaarten--kb\" id=\"gerelateerd\" data-bg=\"paper\"><div class=\"bb-container\"><h2>See also<\/h2><div class=\"bb-grid-3\"><article class=\"bb-kaart bb-kaart--kb\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"bb-kaart__beeld\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb\/woonmaatschappijen-768x429.webp\" alt=\"For housing companies\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\"><h3 class=\"bb-kaart__titel\">For housing companies<\/h3><p class=\"bb-kaart__tekst\">Asset investigation for housing companies: does a social tenant own real estate abroad? Pre-check and reporting for your case.<\/p><a class=\"bb-knop bb-knop--tertiair\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/services\/for-housing-companies\/\">Read more <span aria-hidden=\"true\">\u2192<\/span><\/a><\/article><article class=\"bb-kaart bb-kaart--kb\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"bb-kaart__beeld\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb\/pre-check-768x429.webp\" alt=\"Pre-check\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\"><h3 class=\"bb-kaart__titel\">Pre-check<\/h3><p class=\"bb-kaart__tekst\">Pre-check: an initial investigation into real estate abroad in the name of the person concerned. Usually 1 to 2 weeks, quotation in advance.<\/p><a class=\"bb-knop bb-knop--tertiair\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/services\/pre-check\/\">Read more <span aria-hidden=\"true\">\u2192<\/span><\/a><\/article><article class=\"bb-kaart bb-kaart--kb\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"bb-kaart__beeld\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb\/vermogensonderzoek-768x429.webp\" alt=\"Full in-depth investigation\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\"><h3 class=\"bb-kaart__titel\">Full in-depth investigation<\/h3><p class=\"bb-kaart__tekst\">Full in-depth investigation into real estate abroad: a full and detailed picture of ownership and acquisition, usually within 2 to 4 weeks.<\/p><a class=\"bb-knop bb-knop--tertiair\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/services\/full-investigation\/\">Read more <span aria-hidden=\"true\">\u2192<\/span><\/a><\/article><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bb-sectie bb-cta bb-cta--beeld\" id=\"cta\" data-bg=\"primary\" style=\"--bb-cta-img:url(https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb\/cta-band.webp)\"><div class=\"bb-container bb-cta__inhoud\"><h2 class=\"bb-cta__kop\">Discuss your case<\/h2><p class=\"bb-cta__tekst\">Do you have a question about real estate abroad? We are happy to discuss which service suits your case. You receive clarity in advance about the assignment, the lead time and the costs.<\/p><p class=\"bb-cta__knop\"><a class=\"bb-knop bb-knop--invers\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/contact\/\">Discuss your case<\/a><\/p><p class=\"bb-cta__contact\"><a href=\"tel:+31851110123\">+31 (0)85 111 01 23<\/a><span aria-hidden=\"true\"> \u00b7 <\/span><a href=\"mailto:info@bureaubuitenland.be\">info@bureaubuitenland.be<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/section><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":1465,"parent":586,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-603","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail"],"bb_rendered":"<section class=\"bb-sectie bb-artikelkop bb-artikelkop--beeld\" id=\"artikelkop\" data-bg=\"primary\" style=\"--bb-ak-img:url(https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb\/kb-raamovereenkomst.webp)\"><div class=\"bb-container bb-artikelkop__inhoud\"><p class=\"bb-kicker\">KNOWLEDGE BASE \u00b7 SOCIAL HOUSING<\/p><h1>The Flemish framework agreement for foreign property investigation<\/h1><p class=\"bb-artikelkop__meta\">Reading time 7 minutes \u00b7 updated October 2026<\/p><div class=\"bb-artikelkop__kort\"><p class=\"bb-kicker\">In brief<\/p><p>Since March 2021, all Flemish housing companies can have investigations into tenants' foreign property carried out without a tender of their own. For this purpose the Flemish government concluded a framework agreement with five investigation agencies for 41 countries and reimburses the costs in full or for the most part. This article explains how this works, what it costs and what the figures show so far.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section><nav class=\"bb-breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\"><div class=\"bb-container\"><ol><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/\">Home<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/knowledge-base\/\">Knowledge base<\/a><\/li><li><span aria-current=\"page\">The Flemish framework agreement for foreign property investigation<\/span><\/li><\/ol><\/div><\/nav><section class=\"bb-sectie bb-kolommen\" id=\"inhoud\" data-bg=\"paper\"><div class=\"bb-container\"><div class=\"bb-kolommen__grid\"><div class=\"bb-kolom bb-kolom--hoofd\"><section class=\"bb-sectie bb-sectie--tekst\" id=\"wat-het-is\" data-bg=\"paper\"><div class=\"bb-container\"><h2>What the framework agreement is<\/h2><div class=\"bb-tekst\"><p>Until 2021, every social housing company that wanted to have foreign property investigated had to find an agency itself and launch a public procurement procedure. A few companies, such as Woonhaven in Antwerp and De Zonnige Woonst in Hamme, did so, successfully before the courts. Most companies did not: too much work, too uncertain and too expensive.<\/p>\n<p>That is why the Flemish government, through the then VMSW (Flemish Social Housing Society) and now the agency Wonen in Vlaanderen, concluded a framework agreement with five private investigation agencies in March 2021. The agreement covers investigation in 41 countries; that number relates to the framework agreement, not to the reach of an individual agency. The Flemish Minister for Housing earmarked 5 million euros for it. Every housing company can use it by placing an order; the tendering has already been done.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bb-sectie bb-sectie--tekst\" id=\"wie-kan-deelnemen\" data-bg=\"paper\"><div class=\"bb-container\"><h2>Who can take part<\/h2><div class=\"bb-tekst\"><p>The framework agreement is open to all Flemish housing companies, the successors of the social housing companies and social rental agencies. A company does not need to register in advance; per case or per series of cases it places an assignment with one of the agencies in the agreement and then applies for reimbursement from Wonen in Vlaanderen.<\/p>\n<p>Public centres for social welfare (OCMWs) do not fall under this framework agreement. An OCMW that wants to have an investigation carried out in connection with the living wage (leefloon) or other support concludes an assignment with an agency itself. How that works is described on the page <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/services\/for-public-social-welfare-centres\/\">for OCMWs<\/a>.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bb-sectie bb-sectie--tekst\" id=\"terugbetaling\" data-bg=\"paper\"><div class=\"bb-container\"><h2>What Wonen in Vlaanderen reimburses<\/h2><div class=\"bb-tekst\"><p>The strongest element of the scheme is the reimbursement. Wonen in Vlaanderen reimburses the costs of an investigation:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>in full<\/strong> if the investigation produces a hit, that is, if real estate is found in the tenant's name;<\/li>\n<li><strong>75 percent<\/strong> if there is no hit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In the worst case, a housing company therefore pays a quarter of the investigation costs. In the event of a hit it pays nothing, and it can in addition recover the social rent reduction and, depending on the court, the investigation costs from the tenant.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bb-sectie bb-sectie--tekst\" id=\"doorlooptijd-en-kosten\" data-bg=\"paper\"><div class=\"bb-container\"><h2>Lead time and costs in the framework agreement<\/h2><div class=\"bb-tekst\"><p>The framework agreement has two types of investigation, with different rates and periods per country.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section><div class=\"bb-tabel-wrap\" id=\"tabel\"><table class=\"bb-tabel bb-tabel--vergelijk\"><thead><tr><th scope=\"col\"><\/th><th scope=\"col\">Preliminary investigation<\/th><th scope=\"col\">Full investigation<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><th scope=\"row\">Purpose<\/th><td>checking whether real estate is registered in the person's name<\/td><td>complete determination with documents and value<\/td><\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\">Costs<\/th><td>150 to 5,222 euros<\/td><td>2,275 to 12,335 euros<\/td><\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\">Lead time<\/th><td>3 to 30 days<\/td><td>6 to 90 days<\/td><\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\">Reimbursement<\/th><td>in full in case of a hit, 75% without<\/td><td>in full in case of a hit, 75% without<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><section class=\"bb-sectie bb-sectie--tekst\" id=\"spreiding\" data-bg=\"paper\"><div class=\"bb-container\"><h2>Why the rates vary so much<\/h2><div class=\"bb-tekst\"><p>The wide spread is due to the countries: an investigation in a country with a public online land registry is quick and cheap, an investigation in a country with unregistered property and scattered registers is not. The requests concern countries inside and outside Europe; in spring 2022 Italy produced the most hits, followed by T\u00fcrkiye (VRT NWS).<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bb-sectie bb-sectie--tekst\" id=\"cijfers\" data-bg=\"paper\"><div class=\"bb-container\"><h2>What the figures show<\/h2><div class=\"bb-tekst\"><p>From March 2021 to the end of 2022, 35 housing companies had 677 investigations carried out. Real estate was found in 322 cases: a hit rate of 48 percent. In Limburg it was even 53 percent. Woonhaven Antwerp alone recovered 1 million euros. Up to May 2024, 3 million euros had been recovered across Flanders.<\/p>\n<p>In 2025, only 89 reimbursement requests were submitted, with 39 hits (43.8 percent). Use of the scheme is therefore falling sharply, while the hit rate remains high. In other words: many cases involving a suspicion may no longer be investigated. A more extensive analysis can be found in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/knowledge-base\/figures-flanders\/\">Figures: 677 investigations, 48% hits<\/a>.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bb-sectie bb-sectie--tekst\" id=\"hoe-aanvragen\" data-bg=\"paper\"><div class=\"bb-container\"><h2>How to request an investigation<\/h2><div class=\"bb-tekst\"><p>An investigation always begins with a case in which a concrete suspicion exists: a long stay abroad, an address abroad in correspondence or on social media, an inheritance that is being discussed, an income that does not fit the spending pattern. Investigation without suspicion, or on the basis of origin alone, is not permitted.<\/p>\n<p>The practical steps:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Gather the identity details of the tenant and the suspected country and region of origin.<\/li>\n<li>Have a preliminary investigation or pre-check carried out to find out whether anything is registered in their name.<\/li>\n<li>If the outcome is positive, consider a full investigation, with separate arrangements made in advance, including land registry extract, (sworn) translation and, where necessary, a valuation.<\/li>\n<li>Hear the tenant, recover the social rent reduction and, where necessary, terminate the lease.<\/li>\n<li>Apply to Wonen in Vlaanderen for reimbursement of the investigation costs.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Outside the framework agreement, you can also commission an investigation directly. At Bureaubuitenland Belgi\u00eb, every case begins with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/services\/pre-check\/\">pre-check<\/a> of usually 1 to 2 weeks. Only then do you decide, on the basis of a written estimate, whether an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/services\/full-investigation\/\">in-depth asset investigation<\/a> is necessary.<\/p>\n<p><em>Sources: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vrt.be\/vrtnws\/nl\/2020\/12\/10\/vlaamse-regering-trekt-5-miljoen-uit-voor-vermogensonderzoek-van\/\">VRT NWS, 10 December 2020<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.knack.be\/nieuws\/belgie\/diependaele-rolt-buitenlands-eigendomsonderzoek-over-heel-vlaanderen-uit\/article-news-1714279.html\">Knack<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.n-va.be\/nieuws\/eigendomsonderzoek-loont-al-322-sociale-huurders-betrapt-met-eigendom-in-buitenland\">N-VA press release on the first results<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vrt.be\/vrtnws\/nl\/2022\/04\/12\/al-189-sociale-huurders-betrapt-die-zelf-woning-hebben-in-het-bu\/\">VRT NWS, 12 April 2022<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vlaanderen.be\/wonen-in-vlaanderen\">Wonen in Vlaanderen<\/a>.<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section><\/div><div class=\"bb-kolom bb-kolom--zij\"><aside class=\"bb-kaart bb-ihk\" id=\"in-het-kort\"><p class=\"bb-kicker\">Overview<\/p><h2 class=\"bb-ihk__kop\">In brief<\/h2><dl class=\"bb-ihk__lijst\"><div><dt>Lead time<\/dt><dd>usually 1\u20132 weeks<\/dd><\/div><\/dl><p class=\"bb-ihk__knop\"><a class=\"bb-knop\" href=\"\/en\/request-a-pre-check\/\">Request a pre-check<\/a><\/p><ul class=\"bb-ihk__trust\"><li><span class=\"bb-icoon material-symbols-outlined\" aria-hidden=\"true\">check_circle<\/span><span>Carried out in accordance with the GDPR<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/aside><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bb-sectie bb-sectie--panel bb-faq-sectie\" id=\"faq\" data-bg=\"panel\"><div class=\"bb-container\"><h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2><div class=\"bb-faq\"><div class=\"bb-faq__item\"><h3 class=\"bb-faq__vraag\"><button type=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"faq-faq-0\" id=\"faq-faq-0-knop\">Does my housing company have to launch a public procurement procedure itself?<span class=\"bb-faq__icoon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/h3><div class=\"bb-faq__antwoord\" id=\"faq-faq-0\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"faq-faq-0-knop\"><p>No. The framework agreement is a public contract that the Flemish government has already awarded. A housing company places an order with one of the agencies in the agreement.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"bb-faq__item\"><h3 class=\"bb-faq__vraag\"><button type=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"faq-faq-1\" id=\"faq-faq-1-knop\">Does the reimbursement also apply if the tenant has meanwhile sold the home?<span class=\"bb-faq__icoon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/h3><div class=\"bb-faq__antwoord\" id=\"faq-faq-1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"faq-faq-1-knop\" hidden><p>The reimbursement depends on the outcome of the investigation, not on what the tenant does afterwards. A hit remains a hit; the conditions of Wonen in Vlaanderen are decisive on this point.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"bb-faq__item\"><h3 class=\"bb-faq__vraag\"><button type=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"faq-faq-2\" id=\"faq-faq-2-knop\">Can an OCMW use the framework agreement?<span class=\"bb-faq__icoon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/h3><div class=\"bb-faq__antwoord\" id=\"faq-faq-2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"faq-faq-2-knop\" hidden><p>No. The framework agreement applies to housing companies. OCMWs conclude an assignment themselves; our pre-check is also open to them.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bb-sectie bb-kaarten bb-kaarten--kb\" id=\"gerelateerd\" data-bg=\"paper\"><div class=\"bb-container\"><h2>See also<\/h2><div class=\"bb-grid-3\"><article class=\"bb-kaart bb-kaart--kb\"><img class=\"bb-kaart__beeld\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb\/woonmaatschappijen-768x429.webp\" alt=\"For housing companies\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\"><h3 class=\"bb-kaart__titel\">For housing companies<\/h3><p class=\"bb-kaart__tekst\">Asset investigation for housing companies: does a social tenant own real estate abroad? Pre-check and reporting for your case.<\/p><a class=\"bb-knop bb-knop--tertiair\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/services\/for-housing-companies\/\">Read more <span aria-hidden=\"true\">\u2192<\/span><\/a><\/article><article class=\"bb-kaart bb-kaart--kb\"><img class=\"bb-kaart__beeld\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb\/pre-check-768x429.webp\" alt=\"Pre-check\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\"><h3 class=\"bb-kaart__titel\">Pre-check<\/h3><p class=\"bb-kaart__tekst\">Pre-check: an initial investigation into real estate abroad in the name of the person concerned. Usually 1 to 2 weeks, quotation in advance.<\/p><a class=\"bb-knop bb-knop--tertiair\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/services\/pre-check\/\">Read more <span aria-hidden=\"true\">\u2192<\/span><\/a><\/article><article class=\"bb-kaart bb-kaart--kb\"><img class=\"bb-kaart__beeld\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb\/vermogensonderzoek-768x429.webp\" alt=\"Full in-depth investigation\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\"><h3 class=\"bb-kaart__titel\">Full in-depth investigation<\/h3><p class=\"bb-kaart__tekst\">Full in-depth investigation into real estate abroad: a full and detailed picture of ownership and acquisition, usually within 2 to 4 weeks.<\/p><a class=\"bb-knop bb-knop--tertiair\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/services\/full-investigation\/\">Read more <span aria-hidden=\"true\">\u2192<\/span><\/a><\/article><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bb-sectie bb-cta bb-cta--beeld\" id=\"cta\" data-bg=\"primary\" style=\"--bb-cta-img:url(https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb\/cta-band.webp)\"><div class=\"bb-container bb-cta__inhoud\"><h2 class=\"bb-cta__kop\">Discuss your case<\/h2><p class=\"bb-cta__tekst\">Do you have a question about real estate abroad? We are happy to discuss which service suits your case. You receive clarity in advance about the assignment, the lead time and the costs.<\/p><p class=\"bb-cta__knop\"><a class=\"bb-knop bb-knop--invers\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/contact\/\">Discuss your case<\/a><\/p><p class=\"bb-cta__contact\"><a href=\"tel:+31851110123\">+31 (0)85 111 01 23<\/a><span aria-hidden=\"true\"> \u00b7 <\/span><a href=\"mailto:info@bureaubuitenland.be\">info@bureaubuitenland.be<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/section>\n","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/603","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=603"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/603\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2976,"href":"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/603\/revisions\/2976"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/586"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1465"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bureaubuitenland.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=603"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}