Article 9 Breyne Law: two-step reception explained

Article 9 of the Breyne Law (full text, Belgian Official Gazette) imposes two distinct receptions. This double step is one of the greatest buyer protections — provided you play it well.

1. The provisional reception

This is the material completion of works. It triggers:

• Taking possession of the home.
• Start of warranties (perfect completion, two-year, ten-year).
• Blocking of the first 50% of the security deposit (see security deposit).
• Possible list of reservations to lift.

See our provisional reception guide for the complete procedure.

2. The warranty year

For one year, the contractor must lift the reservations noted in the minutes. If unlifted, the buyer can activate the deposit to bring in a third party. See deposit release.

3. The final reception

One year after the provisional, the final reception:

• Closes the list of reservations.
• Releases the remaining 50% of the deposit.
• Ends the perfect-completion liability.
• Maintains the two-year (2 years) and ten-year (10 years) warranties.

No contract clause can merge these two steps or reduce the one-year period: it is of public order.

Our defects expertise intervenes at both steps — optimal protection.