Suspected non conformance
Hi everyone,
We're interested in buying a house in Flanders that we really love, but we've discovered a potential urban planning issue and would appreciate some advice from people who have been in a similar situation.
Some background:
- The house was fully renovated in 2021 by the current owner.
- At the back of the house, there's a kitchen extension that appears to have been built around the 1970s.
- However, this extension does not appear on the latest municipality-stamped plans that we have seen.
- The current owner says they did not build the extension- it was already there when they bought the house.
- During the 2021 renovation, they did however modify the extension by installing a large sliding glass door in the kitchen.
- The owner also says that because the extension dates back from the 1970s, it is now covered by prescription and that the urban planning information states there are no urban planning violations (although I have not seen that document, and he possibly talks about the document he received when he purchased the house).
There is another point that worries us:
- 3x Velux roof windows were added at the back of the house when the attic was converted into a master bedroom
- These Velux windows and the converted attic also do not appear on the old plans.
We're trying to understand how concerned we should be.
If the municipality's information states there are no planning violations, but parts of the house don't match the official plans, is that generally considered acceptable in Flanders? Could this create problems later if we want to sell the house, renovate further, or apply for permits? Does the fact that the owner made changes to the extension in 2021 (the sliding window) affect the argument that the extension itself is protected by prescription?
Thanks!