Indexation of rents, energy contracts, meal vouchers…: Here is everything that changes this November 1

November is coming and, with it, a whole series of new measures. Here is what is changing in Belgium this Tuesday, November 1.

On 1/11/2022 at 10:00. Updated on 01/11/2022 at 3:39 p.m.

Something new for Walloon rents

I’indexation of rents will be limited in the Walloon Region from 1 November, depending on the EPB certificate housing. The system will be applied for a period of one year, possibly renewable. It is a response to inflation and the energy crisis.

Buildings with a PEB A, B and C certificate will not be affected by the indexation limitation. The owners of those benefiting from a PEB D and E certificate will have to limit themselves to an indexation of respectively 75% and 50% maximum. Finally, the rents of the buildings of PEB F and G, as well as those of the buildings not provided with the certificate, cannot be indexed.

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The Walloon government evokes a “balanced solution” which takes into account the constraints of owners and tenants. The measure also aims to encourage owners to insulate their homes and put an end to energy sieves in the context of exploding energy prices and the fight against global warming.

According to the regional Housing Minister Christophe Collignon, nearly 75% of Walloon households will benefit from the modulation of the indexation of rents.

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Meal vouchers extend

THE military will receive meal vouchers from November 1st. This new measure was validated by the Council of Ministers last February.

The nine months or so between the decision and the application of the measure were to allow the final stages to be finalized before the publication of the royal decree concerned in the Belgian Official Gazette and to finalize the public contract to designate the external partner for the granting of the meal vouchers.

Change at Google

From November 1, the Google Hangouts messaging application will no longer be accessible. The American company will carry out the final changeover to Google Chat. Google Chat is a communication software developed by Google. It’s designed for teams and offers collaborative messaging, similar to competitors Slack and Microsoft Teams.

End of fixed contracts at Ecopower

From 1 November, the energy cooperative Ecopower, which supplies green electricity in Flanders, is also abandoning fixed-price energy contracts.

In an email addressed to its approximately 56,000 cooperators, the energy supplier indicated that it had to increase its prices and adjust its fee schedule to current market conditions. From 1 November, cooperators will pay a rate calculated on the basis of fixed parameters on the one hand, and variables on the other.

In recent months, several other energy suppliers, including Engie and Eneco, have announced that they no longer offer fixed-price contracts.

Winter tyres: penalties postponed

It is a measure which was to come into force on November 1st but it will ultimately be nothing for the moment.

A year ago, the “mountain” law came into force in France. This obliges motorists to equip themselves with snow tires, four seasons or chains to travel in the high mountain regions of France, in winter. From November 1, 2022, motorists in violation should have been exposed to penalties, but this will not ultimately be the case before the end of 2022.

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There grace period which existed in order to allow time for road users to make their arrangements is therefore extended until the adoption of the decree establishing the sanctions. Motorists who have forgotten their winter tires in the areas concerned will therefore not be fined immediately.

As a reminder, the “mountain” law obliges motorists to wear suitable tires when they use, during the winter period (from November 1 to March 31), the snow-covered or icy mountain roads of 4,173 municipalities in all or part of 34 French departments (from the Alps to the Massif Central via the Jura, the Pyrenees or the Vosges).

The objective of the new regulations is to enhance user safety by reducing the specific risks associated with driving on snowy or icy roads, specifies Road Safety. It is also a question of avoiding blockage situations in mountainous regions when unequipped vehicles find themselves unable to free themselves, immobilizing an entire traffic axis.

The measure concerns light and utility vehicles, motorhomes, heavy goods vehicles and coaches.

The equipment obligation is also valid for foreign motorists.

Belga source