The year 2026 is not a year of ‘business as usual’ for the Flemish real estate market. As an investor, property developer or commercial property owner, you have probably already taken note of the fuss surrounding the new relaxations in environmental law - the so-called “Great Simplification” which, since 1 March 2026, will ensure less red tape for renovations and interior conversions.
While that administrative relief is welcome, the danger to your returns this year lies not only in what you are allowed to build, but mainly in the stricter requirements around what is already there. While the focus of many is on the new exemptions for building permits, there is another sweeping change that is often overlooked: the new EPC requirement for non-residential properties. For those operating in offices, commercial spaces or practice premises, this is the one point where legal and financial surprises await in 2026.
The threshold has fallen away: What is the impact?
Until recently, many owners of smaller office, retail or hospitality properties lived under the assumption that energy performance certificates (EPC) were mainly a concern for the residential market. You knew the 1,000 sq m limit for large non-residential buildings, and perhaps you thought your property fell outside it.
That kite no longer holds true since 1 January 2026. The legislator has removed the 1,000 sq m threshold for non-residential building units. This means that now almost every non-residential property must have a valid EPC NR (non-residential), regardless of whether you sell the property, rent it out or simply keep it in your portfolio.
For an investor, this means an operational shift. Whereas before you could suffice with a basic check, you now have to engage an energy expert for each unit and have an official certificate drawn up. This is not a mere administrative formality; it has a direct impact on the value and marketability of your property. A property without a valid EPC NR in 2026 is effectively a property that is “frozen”: you will not be able to switch smoothly when you have a sales opportunity or a new tenant, without going through this process first. The time it takes you to find an expert and get the inspection done could mean the difference between a closed deal and a dropped candidate.
The hidden trap: valuation and rentability
In 2026, the EPC NR certificate is much more than a piece of paper. In a market where energy efficiency is becoming the norm, the certificate acts as an objective barometer of the quality of your investment.
We find in practice at Confianz that owners are sometimes shocked by the score that comes out of such inspections. A mediocre score can lead to a lower rent or even unwilling investors in a subsequent sale. Moreover, this journey in 2026 is not a one-off exercise. The government has announced that standards will become stricter. Owners who proactively map out where their properties stand on the energy ladder now will be the ones who do not face a fait accompli (or mandatory, expensive renovations) in 2027 and 2028.
Moreover, these new regulations intervene at a time when the commercial property market is already subject to price pressure due to the changing economic context anyway. The link between energy performance and property value is stronger than ever in 2026. Therefore, ignoring this requirement is not a matter of “putting it off for a while”, but a strategic mistake that damages your long-term returns.
Energy renovations and environmental law
The property world in 2026 requires a two-pronged approach. On the one hand, you need to take timely steps to regularise your EPC obligations for non-residential properties through an energy expert. On the other hand, stricter energy legislation often opens the door to necessary, energetic renovations. And that is the point at which the regulations become complex.
When you decide to energetically optimise your property, you will inevitably have to deal with environmental law. Although the government talks about relaxation, the line between permit-free works and the formal requirement for a permit remains wafer-thin. At Confianz, we act as your strategic partner in this. While we cannot help you draft the EPC itself, we will guide you through the subsequent renovation process.
Specifically, you can count on Confianz to:
- Screening the authorisation requirement: We carefully find out for you whether your planned energy renovation is subject to a permit requirement, or benefits from an exemption or notification requirement.
- Guide the permit application: Does an environmental permit turn out to be necessary? Then we will take care of the entire administrative and legal follow-up to apply for it smoothly and correctly.
Don't be surprised by administrative requirements that could delay your projects or erode your investment value. Contact Confianz for a screening of the licensing requirements of your renovation plans. We provide the legal certainty, so you can stay focused on what really matters: building and doing business.
