Housing

The right to domicile is a fundamental right; it is part of our Basic Law. It is of great importance for persons, families and communities and essential for establishing an independent life. There are still quite a number of people who experience discrimination on the housing market. It appears that certain owners prefer not to lease or sell to persons of foreign origin or to persons with a disability for example. Others on the contrary ask for astronomical rent or very high amounts of rental deposit. They demand to see certain unnecessary documents or require references. They also refuse certain persons acceptance, solely based on their status.

Discrimination on the private housing market is prohibited by three federal laws, which were harmonised in 2007. There are, however also some other important elements in the field of housing:

• The Civil Code. It stipulates that the rent as well as the taxes and the communal costs should be mentioned in all the official or public communication about the availability of the residence. The price may not vary depending on the applicant, in order to ensure an equal treatment of all applicants.
• The law on the protection of privacy.

The CEOOR is responsible for the treatment of individual complaints and has acted to inform and raise awareness of all actors in this respect:

1. manufacture of two information brochures (which are available in French and Dutch)
a. One brochure for the applicants: “Discrimination in housing: how to react?”
b. One brochure for the owners who wish to let or sell: “Discrimination in housing: how to avoid it?”

2. Collaboration with the actors of the private sector: training for people working in real estate.
3. Advice and recommendations: the CEOOR gives advice to actors upon their demand or upon it is own initiative.
4. manufacture of databases containing useful addresses in this field: these databases are open to anyone who has a question about social or private housing in their region.