Everything about real estate signs
Regulations
What do you need to consider when you want to place real estate signs?
When you, as a real estate agent, want to place a real estate sign, you must take into account the decision of the Flemish government of July 16, 2010 to determine urban development actions for which no environmental permit is required.
"Only the placement of the following publicity devices shall not require a city planning permit: publicity devices affixed to a property, disclosing that the property is for sale or lease, provided that the total maximum area does not exceed 4 square meters and that the publicity device is removed no later than 14 days after the lease or sale."
Essentially, this means that the real estate sign must be removed 14 days after the signing of the private sale agreement or rental agreement. Immo signs with an area smaller than 4 square meters that are removed in a timely manner therefore have no permit requirement. By the way, while placing V-boards, you must make sure that it does not obstruct public safety or interfere with the safe movement of bicyclists and pedestrians.
If you do not follow this rule, you are violating city planning laws and can be prosecuted for this. In practice, however, it is rare for a real estate agent to be criminally convicted of this.
Municipalities can also use certain ordinances or regulations to impose stricter rules regarding the placement of real estate signs. For example, municipalities can also impose restrictions in police regulations and GAS regulations when they experience nuisance from the real estate signs.
What do you have to mention?
According to Article 4 of the Flemish Housing Decree, any publicity must state at least the amount of the requested rent and the costs/charges. The font on the sign must be large enough and legible. It must also be clear to the viewer that the real estate sign is from a real estate agent. Because of this, there should always be at least a mention of your name or trade name.
When renting out a property, you should no longer affix the rent and cost/charges with an alcohol marker or stickers if one can find a wanted property online on the real estate agent's website or portal site. In addition, you no longer need to include the EPC score and unique code/address if you do not include the rent and cost/charge. Just keep in mind that your real estate board may not contain any additional info beyond the listing for sale or for rent and your office details. The EPC score must also be mentioned in the advertisement on your own website and portal site.
Failure to comply with the posting requirement may result in an administrative fine from the municipality of 50 to 350 EUR.
Taxation real estate boards
More and more municipalities are beginning to impose taxes on real estate signs. It is often difficult to tell from a municipality's tax regulations whether or not real estate signs are subject to additional taxation. In some municipalities, real estate signs are exempt from tax but often there is no mention of this tax in their regulations. Because of this, it depends on how the local tax department, the aldermanic board and the city council view this. So it's always best to ask about this issue.
Material
Our broker signs are made of polypropylene or channel board with a thickness of 3.5 or 8 mm. These signs are 100% recyclable. In addition, they are also weather resistant. The signs can be easily attached to windows or smooth surfaces with suction cups and double-sided tape.
