Homesearch

Homesearch

We will devise a programme compatible with our client’s budget and the employee’s requirements and personal experience.

We will assign one of our experienced Personal Relocation Managers who will assist and support the assignee and family until they are settled in. The Manager will liaise with the assignee and discuss their specific requirements, potentially suitable areas and identify their hopes and expectations – focussing on reality and availability! - for example, introducing the assignee to the type of housing stock which exists in the locality and may be available.

Once we have determined the type of property desired and preferred locations, we will research and pre-select those that we feel would be suitable for viewing based on their quality, value and suitability to the assignee’s needs and arrange appointments. We are well known by and have good relationships with all of the leading Letting Agents in Belgium, often helping us to obtain preferential service such as being aware of properties which may not yet even be on the market. We do NOT work with landlords offering their property privately to the market but only those offering their property through approved professional agents.

We will create a comprehensive itinerary, liaising with the assignee on timescales. Visits will always be accompanied by the Letting Agent and our Personal Relocation Manager who will assist with any questions or queries which may arise.

Negotiations

Once a preferred property has been identified, the Personal Relocation Manager will enter into negotiations with the Landlord via the Letting Agent. We have lengthy experience in such negotiations and will ensure that these are comprehensive and thorough, avoiding any misunderstandings at a later date. We would stress that it is important to establish and maintain a “bon contacte” with the Landlord; if the Landlord feels that he is being unduly hard done to, this may affect his willingness to correct any issues or fulfil all of his responsibilities at a later date. Recourse to the Courts or to the Letting Agreement if required is rarely a satisfactory option. Consequently good quality negotiations will always mean that we have our client’s very best interests to hand but may not necessarily mean that we drive the rent down to the lowest possible figure!

Reviewing the Lease

As part of this process, once the basic terms have been agreed, we will review the Lease documentation and ensure that there are no unfair, onerous or inappropriate terms, again negotiating on our clients’ behalf where necessary.

ABC Relocation will arrange for the lease to be signed and if the assignee is not available, will sign the lease on their behalf. In Belgium, it will then be necessary to register the lease at the local tax office. This is a legal requirement and safeguards the lease from any alteration during it’s term unless otherwise agreed by all parties

Furniture

We can of course arrange furniture rental where this is necessary, either for a complete property or one or two key items. We will advise on appropriate issues such as the availability of furnished property if desired and it may be an option to re-think and select an unfurnished property with rental of own furniture.

Taking Occupancy

The Entry Survey, known in Belgium as the ‘Etat des Lieux’ is a report on the condition of the property before being occupied. It is important to note that this is nothing more than a visual report and is not a structural survey. Also, the landlord is under no obligation to resolve any fault found in the property other than those of the most importance which may affect the way the tenant lives. The Personal Relocation Manager will organise the Entry Survey on the tenant’s behalf which will be conducted by an Expert in conjunction with Belgian law.

As the entry survey is used to determine any cost due to the landlord at the end of the lease when it is compared to the Exit Survey, we feel that it is in the assignee’s best interests to attend both surveys. The entry survey also offers an opportunity to meet with the landlord and to ask any questions.

We will advise and assist as appropriate with arrangement of the deposit or Bank Guarantee for the Landlord and our full service includes arranging connection of utilities, Cable TV, etc. and organisation of required insurances.