Is the PEB mandatory for selling or renting my house?

You've probably already heard of the PEB, or energy performance diagnosis. But do you know what it really means? BrickSquare tells you more about this compulsory document when you put your property up for sale or rent!

What is the PEB?

PEB stands for Performance Energétique du Bâtiment. The PEB certificate expresses the energy performance of buildings by means of several indicators (energy class, primary energy consumption, renewable energy, CO2 ...) and contains recommendations for improvement. 

It's like an energy identity card for a building or home, with a classification ranging from very energy-efficient (A score) to very energy-intensive (G score).

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Is ILL mandatory?

The PEB is mandatory for the sale or rental of a property. There are, however, some regional differences:

• Wallonia: the EPB applies only to residential buildings
  

• Brussels: the EPB concerns dwellings with a habitable surface area of more than 18 m², and commercial premises with a surface area of more than 500 m².
  

• Flanders: the EPB applies to all residential buildings, as well as offices and schools.

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Who carries out the ILL?

To be compliant, the PEB must be carried out by a certified professional.

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How much does it cost?

The price of the PEB may vary according to the year of construction and the surface area of your property. Generally speaking, you should expect to pay between €150 and €500.

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How long is the ILL valid?

The PEB must be renewed every 10 years.

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What are the penalties for not having an ILL plan?

Fines vary from region to region:

Wallonia:

• If a property is put up for sale or rent without a valid PEB certificate, a €1,000 fine may be imposed.
• A fixed administrative fine of €500 is levied for failure to comply with advertising requirements for sales or rentals.
• In addition, a fixed administrative fine of €500 may be imposed if the certificate is not passed on to the future buyer or tenant.

Brussels:

• Failure to comply with the requirements of the PEB certificate may result in 8 days to 2 years' imprisonment and a fine ranging from €50 to €100,000, depending on the seriousness of the offence.

Flanders:

• Owners can also be fined between €500 and €5000 for failing to submit a PEB.

How to improve your PEB?

Improving the energy performance of a property can make it easier to sell, and sometimes even increase its price. If you are thinking of doing so, we recommend that you carry out some work to improve your home's EPB score and give it added value.

Here are some tips on how to improve your EPB score:

• Insulation work: roofs, facades, floors, walls and glazing can all be insulated. 

• Changing your boiler: if your boiler is more than 15 years old or if you have an oil-fired home, we recommend that you update it.

• Temperature control: the installation of intelligent thermostats, thermostatic valves or a ventilation system is also very useful.