Winter and Holiday Tips for Private Lease Housing

The following are some tips from the USAG-Brussels Housing Office to help you through the 2008/2009 holidays:

Going away? Turn your radiators down but not off. Keep the water under pressure and circulating to avoid a freeze in every room. Set the thermostat for at least 12 degrees centigrade and ensure all thermostatic valves for the radiators are on at least setting # 2. Do not shut off the electricity. Have a friend or neighbor check your house and furnace daily. Give your neighbor the phone numbers for your landlord and your landlord’s technicians. The tenant is often responsible for damage due to freezing pipes.

For security reasons, have a friend or neighbor empty the mailbox. Set up your house to look as if someone is home. Use timer switches to turn lights on and off. Make sure valuables are not left exposed. Christmas is a favourite time for burglars! Use all the security devices in your house (locks, dead bolts, alarms etc.).

Know the name and phone number of the technicians your landlord would use for heating, plumbing, and electrical repairs.

Check your heating fuel tank to make sure you have more than enough fuel to get through the holidays. Heating fuel deliveries during the holidays are difficult and very expensive.

All furnaces and chimneys must be cleaned and adjusted annually, it’s mandatory. It’s a good idea to have the service done before the winter sets in. Ensure the air intake is not blocked which could restrict airflow and cause additional fuel consumption or a dangerous build-up of soot. Heating maintenance ensures that the furnace is operating safely and at optimum efficiency.

Pay attention to your gas and electric bill to ensure you are up to date. Note that even with a heating oil system, you must have electricity for the heating system to work.

Is your oil tank above ground? Are the pipes leading to the tank exposed to cold air? If so, you may ask your mazout (heating fuel) delivery technician to add antifreeze to your tank.

To prevent frozen water pipes and damage to your home, turn off and drain water lines feeding outside garden lines and spigots. Cover water lines and water meters that are exposed to the weather or located in an unheated area such as a shed or garage.

Emergency numbers during the holiday season:

Private Lease Quarters: Contact your landlord (tel no can be found on page 1 of your lease). Contact your landlord’s technician. If you need assistance talking to your technician or landlord, the USAG-Brussels MPs at DSN 368-9769 or CIV 02-717.97.69 can help. Technicians often bill tenants directly after the service is complete during the holiday period, and be prepared that service costs during holidays are considerably higher.

A list with help numbers is available in your housing office and below:

USAG HOUSING LIST OF HELP NUMBERS (updated December 2008)
Note: If you know a repairman that has provided you with good service, please let us know and we will include his name on our list.

1. Need to talk to the owner of your dwelling?

You will find his/her phone number on page 1 of your lease. Always contact your landlord first prior to proceeding with repairs.

2. Electricity problems?

a. Electricity company: In case of a general failure, look on your electricity bill for the phone number of the company that delivers power to your house (depends where you live).

b. Electricians:

Mr. Arburste Dominiek – Erps-Kwerps (English spoken) 02/759 86 90 + fax
Mr. Carlier – Tervuren GSM 0475/80 35 76 or 02/305 38 72
Mr. Vrancken - Hoeilaart 02/657 92 85
Debuyst – Schaerbeek (English spoken) 02/241 67 39 or GSM 0475/637729
Mr. Stichelmans - Brussels 02/537 55 43 (24h/24h = more expensive) (English spoken)
Mr. Wijnants – Sterrebeek 02/731 24 21
Mr. Devijver - Tervuren 02/767 0677
CEDELEC - Schaerbeek 02/216 59 59 (English spoken) Fax: 02/215 32 88
SPEEDELEC – Kortenberg - 02/757 22 91 or GSM 0475/79 91 63
STEVELEC - St. Stevens-Woluwe 02/720 3883

3. Water Problems?

a. Water company: The telephone number of the company that delivers water to your dwelling is printed on your water bill, and on the form you filled out when you moved in your quarters.

b. Plumbers:
Mr. Charly De Wit – Zaventem 02/721 05 71 (English spoken) Fax: 02/725 72 91
Mr. Carlier - Tervuren (English spoken) GSM 0475/80 35 76
Mr. De Rede – Etterbeek - 02/733 74 52 (English spoken) + Fax
Mr. Groosmans – Sterrebeek : 02/782 00 80
RENOVA BULEX / JUNKERS Service – Anderlecht - 02/555 13 33 Fax: 02/555 13 34 (gas water heater) (English spoken)
VAILLANT Partner Service – Etterbeek– 02/648 93 42 (gas water heater) (English spoken)
CHAFFOTEAUX AND MAURY – Drogenbos – 02/334 89 89 Fax: 02/331 28 28
BUDERUS Heating Systems – Heverlee – 016/40 30 20 (gas water heater) (English spoken)
SANIBEL – Schaerbeek – 02/245 81 48 Fax: 02/522 81 484
JUNKERS – (water heater) – Ixelles – 02/648 25 96 Fax: 02/646 63 78

4. Central heating problems?

Mr. Carlier - Tervuren (English spoken) GSM 0475/80 35 76 or 02/305 38 72
Mr. Biesmans - Hoeilaart 02/657 04 51 (gas furnace only) (Fax 02/657 38 53)
Mr. De Baets Herman - Duisburg - 02/767 24 44
Mr. Smets – Duisburg – 02/767 59 96
Mr. Demol – Overijse – 02/687 86 95 or 0475/73 59 66 Fax: 02/688 02 72
Mr. De Schrijver – Leuven - 016-73 44 92 (also chimney problems) (English spoken)
Mr. Van Hemelrijck – Zaventem- 02/721 05 29 (English spoken) – Fax: 02/688 06 07
Mr. Verstraeten - Sterrebeek 02/731 92 70 (also chimney problems) (English spoken)
Aenspeck & Co - Everberg 02/757 22 28 (English spoken) Fax: 02/759 3810
Mr. Van Oudenhoven, Johan - Erps-Kwerps 02/759 56 39
Willems Techno - Everberg 02/759 61 62 or 759 97 59 (English spoken) 0486/64 31 10 (emergency number)
DEPANET F. Sterckx – St-Stevens-Woluwe 02/720 94 00 or 725 56 81 after 18:00
(English spoken)
BUDERUS Verwarming - Heverlee - 016/40 30 20
ENERTECH - Brussels - 02/726 58 51 (English spoken)
SENEC – Wezembeek-Oppem 02/731 48 49 or Leuven area 016/53 57 72 (English spoken)
CLIMATEC – 02/555 10 00 (English spoken)
VIESMANN – Zaventem – 02/712.06.66 (English spoken) Fax: 02/725 12 39
FACQ Verwarming - Zaventem - 02/719 85 11 or Fax: 02/719 87 00
Lefevre – Kraainem – 02/721 30 97 or GSM 0477/28 92 00 (English spoken)
Smets – Duisburg – 02/767 59 96

5. Chimney and Central heating problems?

Ets Van Lathem Viessmann furnaces – Overijse - 02/657 27 15 (English spoken)
Vitesske – Brussels- 02/427 42 90
DEPANET F. Sterckx – St-Stevens-Woluwe – 02/720 94 00 (English spoken)
De Schrijver – Destelbergen – 016/73 44 92 (English spoken)

6. Fuel oil delivery? (all English spoken)

Q8 02/657 00 55 or 02/268 1016
Calpam 02/268 10 16
Termo SHELL 02/266 84 50 or 767 36 62
TOTAL-FINA 02/266 80 80
ESSO 02/254 17 00 or 0800/902 02
OCTA+ 02/648 23 23
BP Trading 0800/90202
TEXACO 0800/12206

7. Telephone problems?

Dial BELGACOM 0800-22700 (Dutch) or 0800-33700 (French) to report deficiencies. Be patient, and hold the line when you hear the recorded message and/or music. It takes the office sometimes several minutes before the call gets through. Before calling, check the date of payment of your last bill.

8. Key or lock problems?

Mr. Infantino Salvatore – Brussels 02/344 57 30
Mr. Desmedt – Wezembeek-Oppem 02/731 68 60
Mr. Dhondt – Kortenberg 02/757 65 29
ACME Serrurerie – Woluwe-St-Pierre - 02/ 772 95 22 or GSM 0475/57 30 79
Serrurerie ERIC – Ixelles – 02/6464753 (English spoken) or GSM 0475/23 55 08 or
0495/76 32 95
Marcassist - Woluwe-St-Lambert - 02/762 12 00 or GSM 0474/28 22 94
Alain Depannage – Tervuren – 02/767 19 07 (English spoken)

9. Broken window pane?

Ets. Beriaux – Schaerbeek – 02/734 14 60 Fax: 02/736 34 56
Ets. Verstraeten - Brussels - 02/648 13 18 (Express service 08:00 - 22:00) (English spoken)
Mr. Andre Depuydt - 02/380 69 58 or GSM 0475/43 72 40
sprl JEAN – Schaerbeek - 02/215 73 46 (English spoken) + Fax
Bruxelles Depannage – 02/513 07 27 (English spoken)
Speed OK Service – 02/513 19 00 (English spoken)
Indeco – 02/647 33 47 (English spoken) Fax: 02/647 36 47
Serruvitre - Schaerbeek - 02/242 28 63
Vrebos-Stas – Overijse – 02/687 46 29

10. Clogged sewage pipes or septic tank problems?

AB Maxi Cleaning - Zaventem 02/416 80 40 Fax: 02/720 38 46 (English spoken)
Clement Cleaning - Leuven 016/65 70 75
Clean Express Service - 0800/99066
Vidange Loiseau - Brussels 02/410 21 54 (English spoken) Fax: 02/410 28 43
Ontstoppingsdienst van Dorpe Brussels – 02/717 84 82
Clean Brussels Service – 02/268 19 63 (English spoken)
Clean Express - 0800/99 066 (English spoken)
Bob’s Service – Waterloo – 02/354 66 66
Anneessens - Overijse - 02/687 7821

11. Electric Appliance Repair (refrigerator, dishwasher, etc.)?

Call the landlord for the phone number of his dealer or designated repairman. If he hasn't any, first take note of the brand and model of your defective appliance, then try to call:

Servi Cadet (37 brands) – Woluwe-St-Pierre 02/772 77 14 Fax: 02/772 77 83 (English spoken)
ELECTRIC SHOW (78 brands) – Brussels - 02/345 31 77 or 345 48 76 (English spoken), or 0800/94 024
Electro Depannages (many brands) - 02/343 78 93 (English spoken)
Elektro Van Pee (Siemens-Miele) – Overijse - 02/687 96 48 (English spoken)
BOSCH + SIEMENS appliances – 02/556 10 41 or 556 10 42 (English spoken)
Baudewijns (no specific brand) – Tervuren - 02/767 77 63
NEC – Woluwe-St-Lambert – 02/736 80 65

12. Need a Carpenter?

Mr. Stuyck - Sterrebeek 02/731 27 28 (English spoken)
Mr. Hemelincks-Laurent - Brussels 02/569 06 80 or 569 75 42
Mr. Hernalsteens - Sterrebeek 02/731 81 80 (also kitchen cabinet hinges problems)
Mr. Elskens - Sterrebeek 02/767 71 90
BVBA Vandevelde – Tremelo – 016/53 03 52
BOIS Construction (Full Carpentry and Joinery Service) – 02/245 00 67 + Fax
Mr. Poels – Erps-Kwerps – 02/759 91 30
DECOWOOD – St-Stevens-Woluwe – 02/721 09 98 GSM 0475/28 26 29

13. Need temporary storage?

SHURGUARD - Zaventem (English spoken). Private guarded, heated, and ventilated storage space with direct access (4 sizes). Prices from € 125,00 up to € 250,00 a month all included. Shurguard - 504, chaussee de Louvain - Zaventem - 02/714 00 00 or 0800/91 100

14. Need a gardener?

Lechat Gardens – Tervueren - 02/767 07 01 (English spoken)
Mr. Costers Jos – 052/35 71 65 (hedges) (recommended by Embassy) (English spoken)
Mr. Blavier – Wezembeek – 02/731 90 57 (English spoken)
Mr. Boogaerts – Overijse - 02/687 60 14
Mr. Frédéric Cavirot - Tramlaan 1a - Kraainem - 02/725 68 30 (English spoken)

15. Gas smell/leak?

Before the gas meter 0800-65 065

16. Alarm problems? First check name of company on your alarm box or call landlord

GDW Security – Zaventem – 02/720 99 90 Fax: 02/725 07 06
SECURITAS Assistance – Neder-Over-Hembeek – 070/22 00 22 Fax: 070/22 00 33
SPANS – Tervuren – 02/767 60 32

17. Water softener problem? First check name of company on the appliance itself

WATREX- Brussels – 02/652 05 93 or 011/31 19 65 Fax: 011/31 35 93
Mr. Smets – Duisburg – 02/767 59 96 Fax: 02/767 58 07

18. Furniture restoration

Mr. Dewiniwarter – Bierges – 010/40 10 90 Fax: 010/40 10 91