Clearing a shop or business building in Antwerp

A shop or business building usually needs clearing at the end of a lease, on closure or retirement, after a bankruptcy, when the property is sold or in an inheritance that includes a business. There is often a fixed handover date, with shelving, counters, office furniture, machines, stock and archives still in place.

As a business you are required to sort your waste. The fractions that must be kept separate are listed in VLAREMA, article 4.3.2; what remains is residual business waste. For collection you sign a contract with a private collector, and bags in the residual waste container must be transparent so the collector can check them.

Since January 2024, all businesses must also separate kitchen waste and food leftovers. Not sorting breaches environmental law and can lead to a warning or an official report during an inspection. During a clearance, sorting therefore happens on site, not afterwards.

The city of Antwerp has 8 recycling parks, but they are only open to private individuals who live in Antwerp. Businesses and self-employed people cannot bring their waste there: under the materials decree and the parks’ regulations, they must arrange the processing of their own waste.

Even if you close the business and want to dispose of the waste privately, it remains business waste. For a clearance, plan for containers or transport through a licensed collector.

Many Antwerp shopping streets and the city centre have no dedicated loading space. For a move, delivery or small job, you request temporary no-parking signs from the city. If the clearance occupies part of the street, pavement or cycle path, a signage permit is required; that application must be submitted at least 20 working days in advance.

Since 23 November 2022, an asbestos certificate has been mandatory when selling a building constructed before 2001. It describes which materials contain asbestos, their condition and how they can be managed or removed safely. By 2032, every owner of a building from before 2001 must have one.

Materials containing asbestos are not part of ordinary clearance waste. Mention in your request whether a certificate exists or which materials you suspect, so the clearance can take this into account.

If you want to sell the property after the clearance, the renovation obligation for non-residential buildings comes into play. Within 6 years of the transfer, the new owner must carry out a minimum package of measures, including roof insulation and replacing single glazing, and reach a minimum energy label. Buyers take this into account in their offer.

Pandpartners.be can clear the property only, but can also buy it with its contents. You then do not need to clear it first, and the clearance is shown as a separate item in the offer. Payment goes through the notary at the deed.