A demolition notification is often mandatory, and even those who remove asbestos themselves cannot avoid it. We explain when you need a notification or a demolition follow-up plan.
If you are demolishing a wall, replacing a roof or having an entire home razed, in Flanders you have to take two administrative obligations into account: the demolition notification and the demolition follow-up plan. Sounds complicated, but it is not too bad if you know when what applies. And whether you do it yourself or hire a contractor, it is important to arrange this in advance.
Whether you need a simple notification or a full environmental permit for a demolition depends on exactly what you are demolishing and whether reconstruction is planned. For the complete demolition of a building, an environmental permit is usually required; for more limited interventions, a notification sometimes suffices. Check the exact rules with your municipality or via the Omgevingsloket, as they vary from case to case.
Anyone who wants to remove asbestos themselves follows these rules too. A private individual may only remove bonded, undamaged asbestos up to 35 m² themselves; above that limit, or for glued or nailed material, a certified removal company is mandatory. Even for a small job, such as unscrewing a corrugated sheet roof from a garden shed, you must work safely and dispose of the waste correctly via the recycling centre or a kerbside collection. If in doubt about whether you need to notify anything, check with your municipality.
A demolition follow-up plan, also called SOP, is a step further. This plan is mandatory for permit-required demolition of non-residential buildings with a building volume of more than 1,000 m³, of mainly residential buildings (excluding single-family homes) of more than 5,000 m³, and for infrastructure works that release more than 250 m³ of rubble. The aim is to reuse materials and separate waste correctly. Anyone who needs such a plan has it drawn up by an expert and declared compliant via Tracimat.
In practice, an SOP mainly occurs with larger projects: completely demolishing a business hall, an apartment building making way for new construction, or an old farmhouse being converted into multiple homes. For a private individual renovating their living room, it is usually not relevant. But it is something to keep in mind if you buy a large property and plan to renovate extensively.
A demolition follow-up plan is not the same as an asbestos inventory, but they are related. The SOP states, among other things, how much asbestos is present in the building and how it must be removed. That information comes from an asbestos inventory drawn up by a certified expert. For larger demolition works, that inventory is therefore part of the plan.
Whether you have a contractor demolish or remove a piece of asbestos yourself, the regulations are there to prevent unsafe working and materials simply disappearing. It is not always clear whether you need to file a notification or draw up an entire plan. A good rule of thumb: if in doubt, ask your municipality or a specialised company such as Credim for demolition and dismantling works. They know the procedures and can help you on your way.
It is also important for companies and contractors to know the rules. Anyone who demolishes professionally or removes asbestos must comply with the same notification obligations, but often also has to deal with the demolition follow-up plan. You can read more about this on our page about asbestos removal for professionals.
Removing asbestos yourself is therefore allowed, but only within the limits of the law. We are happy to explain how to safely remove asbestos yourself, and when it is better to hire a certified company. This way you know exactly where you stand.
A certified expert comes by, assesses the situation and gives you a clear, no-obligation proposal.
