Owners Awarded Over 12 Million Euros in 'Rotten Apartments' Case in Sint-Truiden

Twenty-five owners in Sint-Truiden, Belgium, have won a legal battle for compensation totaling over 12 million euros concerning apartments rendered uninhabitable by wood rot. The ruling comes after a lengthy legal dispute over the "rotten apartments" located on Luikersteenweg.

The court found the architect, his insurer, and the property developer liable for the extensive damage. The company that performed the roofing work was also deemed partially responsible. "In our opinion, the roofer was also fully liable, but the court did not agree with that," stated lawyer Luc Linders, who represented the 25 owners. "Otherwise, we have completely won our case."

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In our opinion, the roofer was also fully liable, but the court did not agree with that. Otherwise, we have completely won our case.

The issue dates back to July 2021, nearly five years prior, when residents of 25 apartments in the Residentie Platanus complex were forced to evacuate. Fire and collapse risks were identified, leading the then-mayor to declare the homes uninhabitable. The core problem was wood rot that originated during the construction phase. Materials for the wooden structures were exposed to rain and wind for weeks, absorbing moisture that became trapped when the apartments were finished. This trapped moisture caused the wooden structures to rot.

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Everyone will, of course, be compensated for the value of their apartment. In addition, the owners will receive a sum for the fact that they could not live in their apartments for years. Furthermore, all owners are currently living elsewhere while still paying the loan for the uninhabitable apartment. That must also be compensated.

According to a court-appointed expert, the buildings must be demolished. The owners sought over 10 million euros in damages. The awarded sum of over 12 million euros will be distributed among the 25 owners. "Everyone will, of course, be compensated for the value of their apartment," Linders explained. "In addition, the owners will receive a sum for the fact that they could not live in their apartments for years." He added, "Furthermore, all owners are currently living elsewhere while still paying the loan for the uninhabitable apartment. That must also be compensated."

"For my clients, this means the provisional end of a legal ordeal," Linders concluded, expressing satisfaction with the verdict.

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For my clients, this means the provisional end of a legal ordeal.