Tom and Vicky purchased a house in Mechelen with the help of “Blind gekocht” experts. But they received a bad surprise worth more than 600 euros as they applied for a permit to do some work on their property. Mechelen municipality sent a letter to all 88 neighbors of the couple, asking if the changes were acceptable. The back of their garden overlooks an apartment building, hundreds of meters away which means they had to pay 616 euros to notify all the residents of the building. Tom and Vicky regret the situation as they could have used the money for other purposes, but the municipality justified its action as being part of the usual procedure of the Flemish Spatial Planning Code.
A few years ago, Tom and Vicky bought a house in Mechelen. They had, for the record, called on the experts of the Flemish reality show “Blind gekocht” to find a property that suited them. If everything has gone well so far, the young couple has just had a bad surprise from their order. A bad surprise at more than 600 euros, to be precise.
As the Nieuwsblad explains, Tom and Vicky indeed wanted to do some work and therefore had to apply for a permit. Nothing abnormal so far, you will tell us. The problem is that the municipality of Mechelen sent a letter to the couple’s neighbors to ask them if the changes were not a problem. And what Tom and Vicky didn’t know was that they actually have… 88 neighbors!
Indeed, if their house is located at the end of a small cul-de-sac, the back of their garden overlooks a property on which there is, hundreds of meters further… an apartment building. All residents of the building had to be notified. And at 7 euros the letter, the amount claimed from the municipality to the young couple climbs to 616 euros.
The municipality understands the couple’s dissatisfaction, but sending a registered letter to the neighbors is part of the usual procedure of the Flemish Spatial Planning Code in the event of works.
“We are a family of 4, we could use this money otherwise”, regret however Tom and Vicky.
In conclusion, Tom and Vicky’s experience serves as a cautionary tale for anyone looking to do renovations or construction work on their property. It’s important to be aware of the procedures and regulations set by local authorities to avoid unexpected costs and delays. While it may seem like a small issue, the extra fee of €616 can make a significant dent in anyone’s budget. Nevertheless, it’s reassuring to know that sending letters to neighbors is a standard practice in Flemish spatial planning – ensuring everyone is aware and can voice any concerns they may have.