Chef Sergio Herman faces a nearly 10,000-euro claim from his landlord before the Brugge peace court for alleged rental property damage, including disputed paintwork and a cracked stovetop.
Chef Sergio Herman is facing legal scrutiny before the peace court in Brugge, where a landlord is seeking nearly 10,000 euro in damages for a property previously rented by the chef, according to reporting by Redactie24. The dispute centers largely on interior paintwork and a damaged stovetop. The proceedings involve a requested compensation amount rather than a sum definitively awarded by a judge.
Inside the 10,000-Euro Rental Property Damage Claims
For the paintwork alone, the landlord has submitted a payment receipt totaling 6,025 euro. According to the landlord’s lawyer, drill holes in the walls were allegedly patched with only a few strokes of paint. An additional claim of 3,448 euro has been brought forward for a cracked stovetop, alongside mentions of stains on the kitchen countertop and inside the shower.
Defense Strategy Challenges Valuation and Invoices
Omar Souidi, the defense attorney representing Sergio Herman, does not dispute that damage occurred at the property, but contests the specific financial figures demanded. While the defense accepts the costs associated with the kitchen countertop, shower floor, and bicycle storage without contest, sharp disagreements remain over how the painting and stovetop expenses were calculated.
Het gaat om een offerte voor een nieuw toestel.
Souidi pointed out that the 3,448-euro figure requested for the stovetop reflects a price quote for a brand-new appliance rather than the verified value of the original unit. That estimate includes 39 euro in delivery fees and 300 euro for a five-year optional warranty extension, prompting the defense to argue that the charges should be assessed based strictly on what actually requires compensation.
Curtains, Guarantees, and Settled Back Rent
Beyond the disputed repair costs, several other financial elements are currently on the table. Herman arranged for work to be done on the property’s curtains and blinds, leading his lawyer to point to a 4,500-euro takeover fee that the landlord allegedly recognizes. The defense wants this amount factored into the global financial settlement between the two parties.
Additionally, Souidi requested the release of a 6,300-euro rental guarantee. While the initial summons included claims regarding unpaid rent and a requested eviction, that back rent has since been paid off, and the lease has officially ended. A one-month termination fee is also uncontested by the defense, leaving the core debate focused entirely on damages and final financial settlements.
Unsigned Inventories and Awaiting a Court Ruling
A specialized firm previously visited the location to document the damage and draw up an inventory, though the landlord declined to sign it due to disagreements over the estimated damages. The peace court has taken the case under advisement and will issue a ruling at a later date.
