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Avocat's bill

Question

Our building co-pro has just been presented with a demand for payment for some work that was carried out ten years ago. We don't deny the work was done, but is there no law in Belgium that says that these demands must be made in a timely fashion? (It's for 10 000€ and most of the poeple in the building now were not living there at the time of the work)

lmbsie

Owners in apartment buildings only have to pay for work that was voted upon and agreed to by the majority. If new people move in, and there are unpaid bills, that has to be negotiated between the former/new owner. Your co-pro should know this and should know how to respond. If they do not, then it's their responsibility to find out what they need to do.

Jan 16, 2018 13:28
David_1

Hello,

I am not a lawyer but I found this is in french on wikipedia
(Prescription commerciale : en droit commercial, le délai est 5 ans comme le dispose l'article L.110-4 du code de commerce modifié par la loi n° 2008‑561 du 17 juin 2008.) In others terms, it's says that since 2008, the law has changed for commercial prescription, the delay is 5 year to make a complain. 10 years seems too late for them to claim money, but you could check the information with a lawyer.

Jan 16, 2018 17:28
Peter Alan

Thanks both, that's very helpful.

Jan 19, 2018 15:48
cmabey

Another anecdote for you. The electrical company that renovated my place sent me a bill just over 10 years later for an amount that I'd disputed back then.
My internet searches concluded that 10 years is the limit & after that time there's no way to enforce monies owing.
So sounds like you're ok, but check that date carefully just to be on the safe side.

Jan 22, 2018 20:40