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Housing & use · Private agreements

Temporary use of a home

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To begin with

← All private agreements

Someone continues to live there for a while. When and under what arrangements?

Clearly describe temporary use, for example around a sale or a move.

"A boundary must be enforceable on a difficult day."
Paul Wellens

Your questions, step by step

Do you want to use a property temporarily before or after the sale? We help make clear agreements about duration, costs, insurance and departure.

Why do I go to the notaire for this?

Temporary use, for example before or after a deed of sale, requires clear agreements. The notaire examines whether legally this constitutes a lease or another arrangement.

How do I arrange temporary use of a property?
  1. Record the reason, start and end of the use.

  2. Discuss compensation, costs, insurance and the condition of the property.

  3. Align the text with the sale or other main agreement.

How does this proceed and how long does it take?

The end date and consequences of delay must be concretely agreed. Merely using the word "temporary" in the title does not exclude rental regulations.

Which documents should I provide to the notaire?

Prepare what you already have. You do not need to wait until your folder is complete to make an appointment.

Is a document missing or do you not know where to find it? Check the help for each document. We will discuss what the office can obtain for you and what you still need to provide yourself.

Where can I find this?

Provide the complete version with date, attachments and later amendments. Do you not have this document or do you not know if it exists? Select “Help needed” and discuss it with the office.

Where can I find this?

Provide the complete version with date, attachments and later amendments. Do you not have this document or do you not know if it exists? Select “Help needed” and discuss it with the office.

Where can I find this?

Request the policy and any payout letter from your insurer or broker. Mention the insured party, beneficiary and contract reference.

Where can I find this?

Provide the complete version with date, attachments and later amendments. Do you not have this document or do you not know if it exists? Select “Help needed” and discuss it with the office.

Where can I find this?

Provide the complete version with date, attachments and later amendments. Do you not have this document or do you not know if it exists? Select “Help needed” and discuss it with the office.

These check marks only remain on the opened page and are not sent to the office.

Open the checklist: ready, need help or not applicable
What does the notaire do and investigate?
  • Is there legally a rental or other use?
  • Are start, end and termination enforceable?
  • Who bears costs, insurance and damages?
  • Does the arrangement fit the sale or main agreement?

We agree on which searches the office will conduct and which information you, your bank or another expert will provide.

What should I pay attention to before I sign?

Check eviction, deposit, damage, handover of keys and what happens if the sale does not go through.

Is a passage still unclear? Feel free to ask for an explanation with an example from your own situation. Only sign when you understand what you are agreeing to.

What else must I arrange afterwards?

Record the final condition and meter readings. Arrange keys, settlement and release of the security according to the agreement.

Which practical tips can help me?

Make an inventory report before use, even if mutual understanding is good.

What do these words mean?
Occupancy compensation
the agreed amount for the use of the property.
Main agreement
the agreement to which the temporary use connects, for example a sale.
Where can I find more explanation or help?

You do not have to phrase your question in legal terms. Tell what concerns you, what you want to arrange and if an important date is approaching.

We will look together at the next step. We agree in advance on how the office will assist you and what costs are involved.

Ask your question to the officeMake an Appointment

General explanation for your preparation. The rules and documents that apply to you are determined based on your file.

On this page

What does this regulate?

01 · UNDERSTAND

In a sale or transfer situation, temporary use of a home may be necessary. We first examine the legal nature of that arrangement and whether an occupancy arrangement is truly appropriate.

The text covers the duration, compensation, charges, insurance, condition of the property and return of keys. The connection with the deed of sale and financing must also be clear.

A RECOGNISABLE SITUATION

A seller requests to stay a few weeks after the deed. We assess if this is possible and record the agreements about departure, costs and risks.

What requires attention?

02 · CHOOSE CONSCIOUSLY

The name of the document does not determine which rules apply. An agreement that is actually a lease may be subject to rental legislation. An occupancy arrangement may not be used to circumvent mandatory protection.

Also explain what was agreed earlier and where doubts remain. A regulation can only be appropriately developed if facts and wishes are clear.

More points to consider for your own situation

Furnishing a new home together

03 · YOUR INTENTION

You do not need to be able to answer all this in advance. Your doubts are also a good starting point.

Click on a question for an initial explanation or practical tip. You do not need to have an answer to everything yet.

  1. Why is the use temporary and what is the expected end date?

    Describe the concrete temporary reason and a realistic end date. Also indicate what must happen if the planned move or works are delayed.

  2. Is there a sale or other main agreement?

    Provide the sales agreement or other basic contract. Highlight passages about keys, use and departure, so the agreements align.

  3. Who pays utilities, damages and insurance?

    Note meter readings and take photos together of the condition. Specify who bears which costs and consult the insurer about necessary coverage.

  4. What if the user does not leave on time?

    Discuss beforehand how delays are reported and what consequences are appropriate. Have the arrangement reviewed before handing over keys or allowing use.

  5. Can the intended use legally be considered as rent?

    Indicate the actual use, compensation and duration. The title of the document alone does not determine which rules apply; have the concrete situation assessed.

What do we need, and why?

04 · PREPARATION

Bring what you already have. We will agree on any additional documents the office needs to request. The final list depends on your file.

Identity and contact details

To correctly identify the persons involved and their capacity. Provide identity documents via the channel we agree with you.

Sales agreement or other main agreement

To align the temporary arrangement accordingly.

Details of owners and users

To establish authority and obligations.

Planning, price agreements and condition of the property

To specify duration, costs and refund.

Insurance information

To discuss who must report or cover which risks.

Is something missing? Mention it in your application. An initial meeting does not have to wait until you have gathered everything yourself.

What does NotaLegal do for you?

05 · GUIDANCE

We assess the legal qualification and draft the arrangement within the appropriate framework. We specify the agreements necessary to practically handle the end of use.

You will receive a draft for discussion. We review your questions and agree the final version before signing. Afterwards, we explain which preservation, registration or further execution applies to your document.

Know in advance what to expect.

06 · FEES

You want to know in advance what to expect. That is why we clearly and transparently discuss what work your file requires and what fee applies. We take into account the nature and complexity of your question, the documents to be examined and the time a careful handling requires.

We determine in advance which documents are necessary and explain any additional document costs. If a notarial deed is required, we first discuss the adjusted assignment and costs. When the law requires a notarial deed, a private agreement does not suffice.

Read more

Substantive background: Vlaanderen.be · Concluding a lease agreement

General explanation for preparing your meeting. Foreign ties, previous documents and your concrete situation may change the outcome. Sources and legal explanation.

Frequently Asked Questions

FROM READING TO PREPARATION

Already a first answer.

Do I need to know already which deed I need?

No. Start from what you want to arrange. An existing deed, a draft or your own description helps us ask the right questions. The explanation on this page gives you a first idea of the possibilities; the concrete elaboration follows from your situation.

What can I prepare now?

Gather the documents mentioned on this page for preparation. Also note what you want to keep, who is involved and which date is relevant. If you do not yet have everything, mention what is missing at your appointment.

Can I first have a draft discussed?

You can submit your question about a draft before proceeding. Indicate if there is a response deadline and provide the complete version, including attachments. We will coordinate with you on the control and guidance you require.

EASY PREPARATION

Your checklist: temporary use of a property

Which documents do you prepare, where do you find them and when can the office assist? Indicate what you have and where you need support.

Useful websites on this topic

FROM FIRST QUESTION TO NEXT STEP

You do not have to figure it out alone.

  1. Your intention

    We discuss what you wish to arrange and who will bear the consequences.

  2. From documents to agreements

    We examine the necessary information and explain the proposed text.

  3. Signing and follow-up

    You decide after explanation. We discuss the completion and where you can find your documents.

View my preparation

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