FURTHER EXPLANATION · 2 MIN READ
The renovation reveals a surprise
You remove a wall and find a box of coins. A nice story for the table, but are you allowed to keep the contents? The legal explanation of 14 August 2026 makes clear that finding and becoming owner do not coincide. First, it must be considered what you found and under which circumstances.
The place of discovery, your relationship to the building, and a possible previous owner can be important. An item that someone lost is not necessarily the same case as a hidden possession for which no one can identify the owner.
First record the facts
For found movable goods you must make reasonable efforts to locate the owner. If this fails, the ordinary rule requires a declaration to the municipality within seven days of finding. Have it assessed whether your situation falls under that regulation.
Take photos of the discovery site, note the date, and keep any packaging or features that tell something about the origin. Do not sell or distribute the find yet based on an assumption. A calmly recorded factual account helps much more than memories after the renovation is completed.
Old and archaeological? Then a different procedure applies
In Flanders an archaeological chance find must be reported to the agency Onroerend Erfgoed within three days. The site and the find must be preserved and protected according to applicable rules; the government information states this must be done within ten days after the find to allow for investigation.
This procedure is separate from the ordinary rules for found objects. A notification to the municipality does not simply replace the archaeological notification. If you doubt whether it concerns archaeological material, contact Onroerend Erfgoed and follow their instructions. The source below links to the notification form.
What can the office do for you?
Example: a contractor finds something during works in a house that has just been sold. Multiple persons may be involved, each with a different story about the find. Collect the purchase documents and the concrete circumstances before drawing conclusions about distribution.
Notariaat Wellens assists in delineating the ownership question and clarifies which legal steps are necessary. For research into historical or archaeological significance, the competent heritage service is the contact point. This way the surprise receives a careful answer first before decisions are made.