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Temporary housing after fire

Temporary housing after fire

Every year, hundreds of Belgians are affected by fires that partially or completely destroy their homes. This forces them to look for emergency accommodation. Here's what you need to do to find temporary accommodation after a fire.

🔥 How soon after a fire can you return to your home?

That depends greatly on the damage and safety. These are the most important situations and deadlines:

1. Has the property been declared safe?

After a fire, the fire department, the municipality, and the insurer check whether the home is safe. Among other things, they look at:

  • Structural safety (stability of floors, load-bearing walls, and roofs)
  • Smoke and soot damage
  • Water and fire damage
  • Presence of hazardous substances (such as asbestos)

As long as the house has not been officially declared safe, you are usually not allowed to live in it.

2. How big was the fire?

The extent of the fire will determine how long a house or apartment will be uninhabitable.

  • Small fire (e.g., kitchen fire, limited smoke damage): Return possible within a few days to two weeks, after cleaning and inspection of electricity/gas.
  • Medium-sized fire (one floor severely damaged): Often 4 to 12 weeks. Thorough cleaning and extensive repair work are required.
  • Major fire (structural damage or entire home affected): Several months to 1 year or longer. Sometimes complete reconstruction is necessary.

📃 Arranging temporary accommodation

Report the damage to your insurer as soon as possible. Ask explicitly whether your fire insurance includes compensation for temporary accommodation (this often falls under 'rescue costs' or 'additional costs'). This will cover (part of) the costs of a hotel or temporary rental accommodation.

Ask how long the temporary living expenses will be reimbursed. Also ask whether they will arrange replacement accommodation themselves or whether you will have to do this.

Then you can start your search for emergency housing. Some options:

  • Family or friends
  • Hotel or vacation park
  • Short-stay rentals

Sometimes the municipality will help with emergency accommodation if you have nowhere else to go.

Are you staying somewhere else for more than a few weeks because of a fire? In some cases, you will need to register temporarily at your new address. Check with your local municipality. This is important for mail, benefits, etc.

ℹ Other points of interest

  • Keep receipts for any additional expenses incurred.
  • Wait to clean up until the insurer gives permission.
  • A fire is traumatic. Do not hesitate to ask your doctor for emotional support. 

🛌 Temporary accommodation after a fire at Imperia Short Stay

If you are looking for temporary accommodation after a fire, Imperia Short Stay can be a practical option. Especially if you need temporary accommodation because your own home has (unfortunately) been declared uninhabitable.

Imperia Short Stay is a rental company offering furnished short-stay apartments in Zaventem (near Brussels). The apartments are intended for temporary rental periods ranging from weeks to months and offer more comfort and privacy than a hotel. They feature:

  • 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms
  • Fully furnished interior
  • Kitchen, laundry facilities, Wi-Fi, and free parking
  • Flexible rental periods (from a few weeks to several months, depending on the severity of the fire damage)
  • No long-term leases required

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Prices and availability