Owner of empty property on Grand-Place fined €50,000

The owner of a building on the Grand-Place in central Brussels has been fined more than €50,000 for leaving the upper floors unoccupied, Brussels authorities have announced.

The sanction was imposed under rules aimed at addressing the persistent problem of vacant housing in the city centre, where high demand for accommodation contrasts with a number of historic buildings left empty.

In this case, inspectors found that while the ground floor premises were in commercial use, the floors above had been uninhabited for years without a legitimate reason.

Brussels housing officials said the decision reflects growing enforcement of regulations designed to discourage long-term vacancy and encourage the renovation and use of existing housing.

Owners of empty properties can face escalating fines if they fail to justify why units remain vacant or do not take steps to rent or refurbish them.

The property’s owner argued that the upper levels were not suitable for habitation without substantial renovation work.

However, authorities said that the fine was justified because the owner had been notified of the vacancy and given time to act, but had not demonstrated a credible plan to bring the spaces back into use.

Vacancy fines are part of broader efforts by the Brussels region to combat housing shortages, support more balanced neighbourhoods and make better use of existing buildings for residential use.

The region has in recent years increased penalties for owners who leave homes empty without clear plans for occupancy.

The owner has the right to appeal against the decision before the regional courts.

Meanwhile, authorities say they will continue monitoring vacant properties and applying fines where necessary to address the capital’s housing challenges. Last year alone, 300 fines were handed out to owners, resulting in more than €2 million in fines.