Moving to Belgium – Finding accommodation

Finding accommodation in Belgium is not difficult. There are variations in price and availability between the major, urban centres (expensive) and the more rural districts. In general prices are lower than in neighbouring countries.

Rental

The orange/ black 'for rent' (a louer/te huur) signs are placed in the windows of available properties. Most Belgian daily and regional newspapers advertise accommodation for rent. Estate agents' fees are paid by the landlord. Never pay your agent any money, never sign any contract or enter into any undertaking with an agent. All contracts should be signed with the landlord.
The standard lease for rental property is now three, six or nine years or with indefinite terms. Leases for shorter periods can be arranged.

Deposits are usually the equivalent of three months' rent, and you may lose part of it if you end the contract within the first three years. Your deposit must be held at the bank. This is known as a bank guarantee (garantie bancaire/bank garantie).
Leases have an index clause which allows the landlord to raise the rent each year.

The tenant is responsible for minor repairs and maintenance (read the lease!). You may also be contracted to repair wear and tear before you leave. The landlord is usually responsible for all major repairs.

It is also quite normal to insist on an inventory clause (état des lieux/staat van bevinding) made you or by an inspector (which is safer but costs) before you take possession.

Utility costs are not usually included in the rent. Check which charges are, and which are not, included in the lease. Extra charges could include gas, water, electricity, heating, telephone, insurance, property taxes, concièrge and management. Fire insurance is obligatory.

Take particular care before signing a lease and to obtain as much information as possible on additional costs for which you may be liable. Compare offers to make your own experience. You should preferably ask an expert in the relevant Belgian practices to check the lease before signing it.

Purchase

Look for estate agents in the Golden Pages (Les Pages d'Or/Gouden Gids). Most banks offer mortgage facilities.

Electricity and gas are supplied by a variety of companies in Flanders. These utilities have not yet been privatised for private individuals in Brussels and Wallonia. The company supplying your accommodation can be checked by either looking on the meter or asking the landlord or consulting the town hall (maison communale/gemeentehuis).To arrange connection to the water supply, contact your local company, who will be listed in the White Pages (Pages Blanches/Witte Gids).

Short-term accommodation

Hotels are quite expensive. Cheaper options are youth hostels and B&Bs (ask the tourist board). University towns offer rooms in halls of residence during the summer. Adverts for accommodation to let are published in local newspapers. Information centres such as the 'services kots' of the InforJeunes (up to 25 years of age) offer a very useful information service.

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Text last edited on: 08/2006

Source: European Union
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