Tourism Flanders is currently conducting extensive checks to verify that vacation rentals meet these requirements. Moreover, they now have more opportunities to do spot checks with rental platforms such as Airbnb. In fact, it is a legal requirement in Flanders to have these documents in order to rent out accommodation. In this regard, we would like to refer you again to the Flemish Accommodation Decree, which explains the basic standards that your property must meet, including fire safety standards.
If Tourism Flanders notices your lodging and finds that it does not have the mandatory fire safety certificate, they can summon you to submit it within four weeks. If you do not comply, they will give you a reminder to stop renting until the accommodation does meet the requirements. To avoid ending up in this situation, we recommend that you take the necessary steps to bring your vacation home into compliance and obtain the Vinçotte fire safety certificate. This process, depending on the work required, can take at least two months and it is therefore advisable not to waste any time. We would like to draw your attention once again to Certilogies and advise you to contact them as soon as possible (if you have not already done so) and instruct them to carry out the necessary work and obtain the fire safety certificate. Of course, you can also consult other specialists. Below in this article is an example of the communication that Tourism Flanders uses to exhort owners of lodgings for rent to demonstrate compliance with regulations and meet requirements.
Furthermore, we refer you as owner to put this in order yourself, possibly with the assistance of a specialist such as Certilogies. We as Huswell cannot play an active role in this, but will of course assist Certilogies to give them or any contractors or experts access to your vacation home. Even if you already have a fire safety certificate, it is important that you have things (such as the fire extinguisher and electrical inspection) re-inspected in good time.
We advise you to register with Tourism Flanders only as soon as you (almost) have a fire safety certificate. The process will be initiated automatically as soon as Vinçotte informs Tourism Flanders of a positive certificate after their on-site inspection.
You then only need to provide them with a few more documents (such as proof of good conduct, required insurances and proof of ownership) to finalize the registration procedure.
Our advice:
- Get your accommodation in order in terms of fire safety as soon as possible and do not wait for a mail from Tourism Flanders;
- If you do receive a message from Tourism Flanders, contact HUSWELL to discuss the short-term approach before replying or taking any action towards Tourism Flanders;
SAMPLE MAIL REMINDER TOURISM FLANDERS:
