What is the risk to the owner of an unhealthy or ruin-threatening building or dwelling?

Verified 12 July 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

As the owner of a building or dwelling unhealthy or threatening ruin (in peril)However, you may face a prison sentence, a fine and an additional penalty if you are responsible for certain facts.

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Willfully and without legitimate reason refuse to carry out the measures prescribed by the order for unsanitary or safe treatment (danger)

You risk 1 year imprisonment and a fine of €50,000.

Judges may also add one of the following additional sentences:

  • Confiscation of the immovable or dwelling
  • Prohibition on engaging in a professional or social activity for a maximum period of five years where the facilities provided by that activity were used to prepare for or commit the offense
  • Prohibition to purchase a property for rent for up to 10 years.

Where the acts are committed against a occupier who is a vulnerable person, including an illegal foreigner national, the offense is punishable by 2 years' imprisonment and €75,000 of fine.

Make available a room for housing purposes, clearly leading to its overoccupancy despite the prefect's formal notice

You risk 2 years imprisonment and a fine of €75,000.

Judges may also add one of the following additional sentences:

  • Confiscation of the immovable or dwelling
  • Prohibition on engaging in a professional or social activity for a maximum period of five years where the facilities provided by that activity were used to prepare for or commit the offense
  • Prohibition to purchase a property for rent for up to 10 years.

Where the acts are committed against a occupant who is avulnerable person, including an irregular foreigner national, the offense is punishable by 3 years' imprisonment and €100,000 of fine.

Refuse to relocate or accommodate the tenant, although they are able to do so

You risk 3 years imprisonment and a fine of €100,000.

Judges may also add the following additional penalties:

  • Confiscation of the immovable or dwelling
  • Prohibition on engaging in a professional or social activity for a maximum period of five years where the facilities provided by that activity were used to prepare for or commit the offense
  • Prohibition to purchase a property for rent for up to 10 years.

Where the acts are committed against a occupier who is a vulnerable person, including an illegal foreigner national, the offense is punishable by five years' imprisonment and €150,000 of fine.

Threaten the tenant to renounce resettlement

You risk 3 years imprisonment and a fine of €100,000.

Judges may also add the following additional penalties:

  • Confiscation of the immovable or dwelling
  • Prohibition on engaging in a professional or social activity for a maximum period of five years where the facilities provided by that activity were used to prepare for or commit the offense
  • Prohibition to purchase a property for rent for up to 10 years.

Where the acts are committed against a occupier who is a vulnerable person, including an illegal foreigner national, the offense is punishable by five years' imprisonment and €150,000 of fine.

Continue to collect rent or any other amount (including retroactively) while the home is under an unsanitary or unsafe order (hazard)

You risk 3 years imprisonment and a fine of €100,000.

Judges may also add the following additional penalties:

  • Confiscation of the immovable or dwelling
  • Prohibition on engaging in a professional or social activity for a maximum period of five years where the facilities provided by that activity were used to prepare for or commit the offense
  • Prohibition to purchase a property for rent for up to 10 years.

Where the acts are committed against a occupier who is a vulnerable person, including an illegal foreigner national, the offense is punishable by five years' imprisonment and €150,000 of fine.

Degrade the dwelling or make it unfit for the dwelling to make the tenant leave

You risk 3 years imprisonment and a fine of €100,000.

Judges may also add the following additional penalties:

  • Confiscation of the immovable or dwelling
  • Prohibition on engaging in a professional or social activity for a maximum period of five years where the facilities provided by that activity were used to prepare for or commit the offense
  • Prohibition to purchase a property for rent for up to 10 years.

When the acts are committed against an occupant who is a vulnerable person, including an illegal foreigner national, the offense is punishable by five years' imprisonment and €150,000 of fine.

Refusing to comply with the request for the cessation of the supply of premises or installations for housing purposes or a prohibition on living, using or accessing the premises

You risk 3 years imprisonment and a fine of €100,000.

Judges may also add the following additional penalties:

  • Confiscation of the immovable or dwelling
  • Prohibition on engaging in a professional or social activity for a maximum period of five years where the facilities provided by that activity were used to prepare for or commit the offense
  • Prohibition to purchase a property for rent for up to 10 years.

Where the acts are committed against an occupier who is a vulnerable person, including an illegal foreigner national, the acts shall be punished by five years' imprisonment and €150,000 of fine.

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