The Appeltans family, whose name has become synonymous with leasing insalubrious properties in the Flemish city of Leuven, have been sentenced to jail and have to pay hefty fines after two postponements of the verdict.
The name Appeltans has long been known among people living in Leuven, especially students looking for housing.
Between 2013 and 2021, the family rented out several housing units that were declared uninhabitable, with no heating or hot water, widespread mould growth and faeces lying about.
Following the tightening of legislation around rentals, they continued to rent out these properties, targeting tenants who were mostly in such a vulnerable position, like asylum seekers and refugees, who often had no choice but to accept the deplorable condition of the premises.
Now, after two postponements, the verdict in the case against the Appeltans family was pronounced on Tuesday. Both father Arnold and his son Manu Appeltans have now been convicted of being slumlords – by maximising profit by minimising spending on property maintenance – in six properties and slum renting – renting out uninhabitable spaces – 24 flats. They were sentenced to 40 months of effective imprisonment and a fine of almost €2 million each by the correctional court in Leuven.
"The court weighed heavily on the facts showing a lack of sense of standards and respect for the welfare of others," the judge wrote in the verdict. "The right to decent living was violated for the purpose of personal enrichment and monetary gain."
Long time coming
The Public Prosecutor's Office first launched an investigation into the notorious family in 2018. Both father and son were arrested in December 2019 as the result of this investigation into scores of complaints over the insalubrious state of properties they rented out but were conditionally released later that same month.
In March this year, 96 of the aggrieved gathered and took civil sides to file a lawsuit. The trial, in which the family itself went for acquittal but failed, was not only against Arnold and Manu Appeltans but also against the family's mother, handyman and Arlimo, the family's partnership.
Arnold's wife received one year in prison with a reprieve and a €768,000 fine. Their company has to pay a fine of €1,560,000. Finally, the landlords' handyman was acquitted.
On top of the jail sentences and hefty fines, six properties were forfeited, as was the income the family earned from the housebreaking and slum renting. Family members must compensate the victims, mainly tenants, for almost €700,000 each. Their company Arlimo, the family's company, will have to fork out €2170,000 to the victims. All three were also disqualified from a number of civil rights, such as voting, for five years.
