Regional Housing Inspectorate (DIRL)

The DIRL checks that rental properties or those destined for rental comply with the mandatory safety, health and equipment standards.

The DIRL investigates complaints lodged by tenants, municipalities, Public Centres for Social Welfare (PCSW) and other legally designated housing stakeholders. It can also act on its own initiative and based on judgments communicated by the Justices of the Peace.

The DIRL issues a conformity check attestation at the request of the landlord when the latter has carried out the necessary work in a dwelling that cannot be rented out because it did not meet basic safety, health and equipment standards. The application systematically leads to an investigation.
This document must be obtained before re-letting, otherwise there may be a fine.

The DIRL issues a certificate of conformity at the request of the rights holder who wishes to verify, before renting out a vacant dwelling, that the dwelling complies with basic safety, health, and equipment standards. A request automatically triggers an inspection. 
Requesting this certificate is an opportunity, not a requirement.

Once the discrimination complaint or report has been received by the DIRL, the case is reviewed to determine if the reported facts are likely to constitute a housing discrimination offence.

The DIRL may conduct a discrimination test if the legal conditions have been met and if this is necessary to establish the existence of the offence.

The DIRL awards the "quality student accommodation" label. To this end, it receives and processes label applications submitted on a special form.

The landlord or tenant may appeal against final technical decisions and fine decisions taken by the DIRL to the Delegated Official:

Brussels Regional Public Service
Delegated official
Brussels Housing
Housing Legal Affairs Department
Place Saint-Lazare 2
1035 Brussels

Annual activity reports are available on the Documentation page of Brussels Housing.