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Retain residence?
Hi all,
I am due to emigrate from Belgium soon. I want to keep my flat here (I'm the owner) and let it out on a yearly basis - i.e. short term 12 month contracts. This way I have some option of returning, should things not work out where I'm going. Given that, I am wondering whether it is best to keep my Belgian permanent residence card when I go or whether to give it up.
I would also prefer to keep utilities (gas, electric, water, internet) in my name, charging tenants a provision and settling up at the end of the tenancies. Mostly just to avoid all the administrative hassle of changing the names, possibly every year. So it would make sense to keep my card for that reason too (just in case I need to have any official dealings with the authorities, requiring the card).
What would be the implications of retaining official residence here when I'm actually resident in another (non EU) country? Would I just have to file an empty annual tax return?
Thanks in advance for any helpful advice you can offer.
I can't see what hassle changing the names on utility bills. It is the tenant that does this anyway, not the landlord, so it's not your hassle. I personally would not in any way take responsibility for anyone else's utility bills! What happens if their consumption is mega high and you haven't charged then enough, surely you're stuffed, they don't have to pay the extra as the bills are in your name?
You certainly wouldn't file an empty annual tax return, you have to declare all your income from around the world, even if you aren't charged anything. Now that to me would be a hassle.
You would also be free to return to your property to stay temporarily as a visitor to Belgium, if you are not an EU national. Non residents are perfectly entitled to own property here. I know someone who does just this.
