Best Consumer Rights Lawyers in Hasselt

About Consumer Rights Law in Hasselt, Belgium

Consumer rights in Hasselt are governed by Belgian federal law and European Union rules, with day-to-day enforcement handled by the Federal Public Service Economy and its Economic Inspectorate. The core statute is the Belgian Code of Economic Law, which sets out rules on fair market practices, warranties, price transparency, distance and off-premises contracts, and dispute resolution. EU directives such as the Consumer Rights Directive, the Sale of Goods Directive, and the Digital Content and Services Directive are fully integrated into Belgian law. As a result, consumers in Hasselt benefit from strong protections when buying goods and services in shops, online, or by phone, including clear information duties, a 14-day withdrawal right for most distance purchases, and a legal guarantee on faulty goods.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need legal assistance if a trader refuses to honor the 2-year legal guarantee, delays or denies repairs or replacements, or claims you caused the defect. Legal advice is also helpful when a distance seller ignores your 14-day withdrawal, refuses a refund after a timely return, or imposes unlawful return fees. A lawyer can assist if you suffer losses from misleading advertising or aggressive sales tactics, including doorstep or telemarketing sales. Legal support is often valuable for disputes with telecom, energy, or financial service providers when sectoral complaint procedures stall. You may also want counsel for complex issues involving digital content or smart goods that require updates to remain compliant, for cross-border transactions within the EU or outside the EU, and for debt recovery or chargebacks when a trader has become insolvent. If a negotiated solution fails, a lawyer can advise on proceedings before the Justice of the Peace in Hasselt or the Enterprise Court Antwerp - Hasselt division and represent you in mediation, conciliation, or court.

Local Laws Overview

The Belgian Code of Economic Law is the reference for consumer protection in Hasselt. Book VI covers market practices and consumer protection, including unfair commercial practices, unfair contract terms, price indications, and sales promotions. Book VII addresses payment and credit services, including consumer credit and certain financial protections. Book XII regulates electronic commerce, including information duties for online traders and rules on distance contracts. Belgium applies the 14-day right of withdrawal for distance and off-premises contracts, subject to statutory exceptions such as custom-made goods, perishables, sealed health products that have been opened, digital content not supplied on a tangible medium once you consent to immediate supply, newspapers and magazines except subscriptions, and services for a specific date like accommodation or leisure. For sales of consumer goods, there is a 2-year legal guarantee against non-conformity. For second-hand goods, the seller and consumer may agree to a shorter period that cannot be less than 1 year and must be expressly stated. Since 2022 the presumption that a defect existed at delivery applies for at least 1 year after delivery. Remedies follow a hierarchy: repair or replacement free of charge, then price reduction or contract rescission if repair or replacement is impossible or disproportionate. The seller is responsible for the guarantee towards the consumer.

Belgium requires total price transparency, including all taxes and mandatory charges in the displayed price, with delivery or ancillary costs clearly shown before checkout. The risk of loss passes to the consumer only when physical possession is taken, unless the consumer chose a carrier not offered by the trader. Belgium prohibits misleading and aggressive practices, and many practices are blacklisted outright. Telemarketing to consumers generally requires prior consent under Belgian rules, with strict identification and opt-out requirements. For digital content and digital services, traders must ensure conformity and provide necessary updates during the relevant period. Enforcement is carried out by the Economic Inspectorate, and many sectors have dedicated ombuds services to handle complaints. In Hasselt, disputes commonly fall under the Justice of the Peace for smaller claims or the Enterprise Court Antwerp - Hasselt division for business-related matters. Consumers can also use the European Small Claims Procedure for eligible cross-border disputes up to a monetary limit set by EU law.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the legal guarantee on consumer goods in Belgium?

There is a 2-year legal guarantee for new consumer goods purchased from a professional seller. If a defect appears within at least 1 year after delivery, the law presumes the defect existed at delivery unless the seller proves otherwise. For second-hand goods, the parties may agree to a shorter guarantee, but not less than 1 year, and this must be clearly stated.

Do I always have 14 days to return an online purchase?

For most distance or off-premises purchases you have 14 calendar days to withdraw without giving a reason. Exceptions include custom-made items, perishable goods, sealed hygiene or health products once unsealed, digital content not on a tangible medium once you consent to immediate supply, newspapers and magazines except subscriptions, urgent repair visits you requested, and services for a specific date such as event tickets or accommodation. The trader must inform you of the withdrawal right and provide a model form.

Who pays return shipping if I cancel within 14 days?

If the trader clearly informed you in advance that you must bear return costs, you usually pay for the return. If the trader failed to inform you, the trader bears the cost. If the item is faulty or not as described, return costs are typically for the trader.

What remedies do I have if a product is faulty?

You can ask the seller for a free repair or replacement within a reasonable time and without significant inconvenience. If repair or replacement is impossible, unlawful, or disproportionate, you can seek a price reduction or rescission with a refund. The seller cannot charge diagnostics, labor, or shipping for a warranty repair.

How do I prove a defect and by when must I complain?

Keep proof of purchase and document the defect with photos and a written description. Notify the seller as soon as possible. Belgian law allows a 2-month period to notify the seller after discovering the lack of conformity. Acting promptly strengthens your position.

What are my rights for digital content or services?

Digital content and services must conform to the contract and to objective expectations, and you are entitled to necessary security and functionality updates for the relevant period. If digital content is defective or not supplied, you can demand compliance, a price reduction, or a refund depending on the situation.

Can I cancel a gym, telecom, or utility contract?

For distance contracts you may have a 14-day withdrawal right unless the service has already started with your consent and acknowledgment. Beyond that, contract terms and sector rules apply. Telecom and energy sectors have specific switching and termination rules, and unlawful penalties or unfair terms can be challenged. Sector ombuds services can help resolve disputes.

What if the seller refuses to help or has closed down?

If the seller refuses to honor rights, send a formal notice by registered letter setting a clear deadline. Consider contacting the Consumer Mediation Service or the relevant sector ombuds. If the seller is insolvent, you can file a claim in the insolvency proceedings and consider chargeback options with your card issuer where applicable.

Does buying from another EU country change my rights?

Core EU consumer protections apply across the EU, including the 14-day withdrawal right for distance sales and the 2-year legal guarantee. You can use the European Consumer Centre Belgium for cross-border assistance and the EU Online Dispute Resolution platform to attempt a settlement. For non-EU sellers, enforcement may be harder and rights may differ.

Which court handles consumer disputes in Hasselt and do I need a lawyer?

Many consumer disputes fall under the Justice of the Peace in Hasselt, especially lower value claims. Business-related and certain complex cases go to the Enterprise Court Antwerp - Hasselt division or the Court of First Instance. You are not always required to have a lawyer, but legal counsel can improve your strategy, evidence, and chances of settlement or success in court.

Additional Resources

Federal Public Service Economy - Economic Inspectorate offers information, inspections, and complaint handling for unfair practices and non-compliance.

Consumer Mediation Service provides neutral mediation between consumers and traders when direct negotiation fails.

European Consumer Centre Belgium assists with cross-border disputes within the EU, including information on rights and practical resolution options.

Ombudsman for Telecommunications handles complaints about phone, internet, and TV providers.

Energy Ombudsman Service deals with disputes concerning electricity and gas suppliers and grid operators.

Ombudsfin handles disputes with banks and other financial institutions.

Insurance Ombudsman handles complaints about insurance companies and intermediaries.

Test Aankoop - Test Achats is a consumer organization offering advice, testing, and advocacy.

Justice of the Peace in Hasselt and the Enterprise Court Antwerp - Hasselt division handle consumer and commercial disputes locally.

Balie Limburg and the Bureau for Legal Aid provide information on finding a lawyer and accessing legal aid based on income.

Next Steps

Gather your documents, including contracts, order confirmations, invoices, receipts, emails, chats, photos, and repair reports. Write to the seller with a clear description of the problem and what you want, set a reasonable deadline, and keep a copy. For distance purchases, state that you are exercising your 14-day withdrawal if applicable and return the goods on time using a trackable method. If there is no satisfactory response, send a registered formal notice. Contact the Consumer Mediation Service or the relevant sector ombuds to attempt an out-of-court solution. Consider chargeback options with your card issuer if the goods were not delivered or are significantly not as described. If the dispute persists, consult a consumer rights lawyer in Hasselt to assess evidence, quantify losses, and choose the best forum and procedure, including conciliation before the Justice of the Peace, a standard claim in court, or the European Small Claims Procedure for eligible cross-border cases. Check eligibility for legal aid through Balie Limburg if cost is a concern. Acting promptly and keeping communications in writing will protect your rights and strengthen your case.