Belgian houses showing their age

More than half (53 percent) of the houses in Belgium are older than 52 years, and more than half of the apartment buildings (52 percent) are older than 43 years, according to figures from the Finance Ministry, writes French-language daily Le Soir. The figures also show that more than one in five (21.1%) live in a residence that is struggling with a leaking roof or damp walls, floors or foundations. According to Eurostat figures, only six European countries are worse off. Also the fact that 0.9 percent of the population does not have a bath or shower in their home is evidence that ageing houses are a growing problem.