Rent an apartment in Brussels
If you are thinking of renting accommodation in Brussels, here is what you need to know about how to find suitable accommodation and what to expect in the city.
Brussels is one of the most popular and well-known cities in Belgium, with a large foreign population that has settled there.
Brussels is a beautiful city where life is good. She currently ranks in the top ten of the Mercer Quality of Life Index. Brussels is known for its parks, cultural activities and green nature. However, this quality comes at a price. Brussels is the most expensive city in Belgium for the rental of real estate. It’s 20% more expensive than Liège, which ranks second for rental prices, so it’s important to shop around to find something that fits. The good news for those who rent in Brussels is that there is a wide range of options, including furnished and serviced apartments as well as houses with pretty gardens. With some exceptions, however, it is difficult to find a lessor who makes short-term rentals. But the high demand allows landlords to be picky about who they rent to, make sure you have taken out as many guarantees as possible. You can also make an online rental guarantee request.
Find a rental in Brussels
Belgium has the fifth largest rental market as a percentage of Europe’s market share. So there are plenty of places you can search for accommodation, ranging from personal ads on notice boards to online real estate portals. You can hire a real estate agent to help you navigate the Brussels rental market. Please note that normally there are no more commission charges for tenants in Belgium.
Unfurnished rentals in Brussels
Many properties are rented without furniture in Brussels. They’re cheaper and are great if you want more freedom to bring your own furniture, but they obviously take a lot more work to set up (and get out of!).
What a rental without furniture looks like in Brussels
Unfurnished apartments in Brussels are often rented completely unfurnished, sometimes without a kitchen, without appliances, without anything. They are generally available for long-term rental leases and are suitable for tenants who wish to settle in and take ownership of their home. As Belgium has a high percentage of renters, unfurnished properties are popular with families looking for long-term stable accommodation. All types of property can be found unfurnished, from one bedroom apartments to 4 to 5 bedroom homes. Tenants usually have the freedom to decorate and make some changes to the facilities, but check the rental agreement or ask the landlord first what can and cannot be done. It is also possible to rent partially furnished apartments in Brussels (eg kitchen appliances and equipment, but no beds or sofas).
Cost of unfurnished rentals in Brussels
The average cost of unfurnished rentals in Brussels is currently 17.56 euros per square meter, more expensive than in other parts of Belgium, but cheaper than in parts of northern Europe. Expect to pay between 650 and 1,100 euros per month for a one-bedroom apartment in cheaper and suburban areas, and between 800 and 1,500 euros per month in the city center and neighborhoods. most expensive in town. The average for a three-bedroom apartment is around 1,600 euros per month outside the center and 2,100 euros in the center, according to the latest figures. Properties will be advertised as either “cold” (rental costs only).
What to expect in an unfurnished rental agreement
Typical rental contracts in Belgium last at least three years. Landlords who rent unfurnished properties are likely looking for long-term tenants, so expect to sign a contract of at least three years. Leases are generally unlimited, so the contract is subject to renewal and can be terminated by the landlord or tenant with three months’ notice.
Check the contract carefully to see who is responsible for the repairs. Typically, tenants are responsible for day-to-day repairs, with the landlord taking care of larger jobs, such as building repairs. Subletting is normally not possible. When moving, you must return the property to the condition it was in before the rental agreement was signed. This means repainting the walls to the original color (if you did any decorating) and removing all fixtures, unless you have the owner’s permission to leave them in place.
How to find an unfurnished rental in Brussels
Unfurnished rentals can be found through real estate agents. You can get information on real estate agents in the Brussels region through the German Real Estate Association. You can also find rentals on many online real estate portals, such as immoweb or immovlan.
To rent an unfurnished apartment in Brussels, you will usually need to provide the following:
- an identity document with photo and a Belgian residence permit;
- proof of income;
- a credit report or certificate from your previous owner.
- a rental guarantee
Furnished rentals in Brussels
Furnished rentals in Brussels have traditionally been associated with vacation rentals and short to medium term rentals, but there are now more places that offer longer rentals for fully furnished apartments.
Serviced apartments in Brussels
Serviced apartments are fully furnished apartments that offer additional services such as room service, housekeeping and on-site amenities such as hotel services. They are popular with short-term visitors and professionals.
What do serviced apartments look like in Brussels?
You can find a range of full-service luxury apartments in Brussels from different companies, some of which also offer full-service houses. These apartments can be offered in separate residential complexes or in luxury hotels. You can usually choose the level of service you require, the services available including cleaning, laundry, breakfast and room service.
Cost of serviced apartments in Brussels
Serviced apartments are usually billed by the night, like hotels, although it is often possible to rent in Brussels for longer periods and is cheaper in the long run. Prices are generally all-inclusive and can vary between 50 and 200 euros per night, with additional services often being charged extra.
What to expect in a serviced apartment rental contract
In the case of serviced apartments, you are more likely to have to sign a terms and conditions agreement rather than a full rental agreement, like what you have to sign with hotels. Some companies will have a longer contract and ask for a deposit to cover damage, especially for longer stays. You will normally specify the length of your stay in advance and can extend it based on availability. Most contracts or agreements require tenants not to alter the appearance or amenities of the property.
Short-term accommodation in Brussels
Short-term rentals, ranging from a few weeks to a year, are often preferred by expats who have just arrived in Brussels. They are a practical (and generally cheaper) alternative to hotels.
What does short-term accommodation look like in Brussels?
Since Brussels is a popular tourist city that hosts many international events, such as Oktoberfest, it offers plenty of short-term accommodation options, including small apartments, large houses, vacation rentals, and self-catering apartments. services. The properties generally include modern amenities such as television and wifi.
Cost of short-term accommodation in Brussels
Short-term rentals are generally more expensive than long-term rentals, but they vary depending on factors such as area and type of accommodation. Good deals are available if you shop around the market.
What to expect in a short term rental housing contract?
Although rental contracts are shorter, fixed-term contracts, the three-month notice period still often applies and tenants who move into a location for a short three-month period are expected to stay for the duration. of the contract, under penalty of losing their rental guarantee deposit. Other than that, short-term leases don’t differ much from standard leases.
How to find short-term accommodation in Brussels
Among the websites that advertise short-term rentals in Brussels, we find
- Airbnb
- Student rentals in Brussels
With 6 universities and around 90,000 students, Brussels has many possibilities for student accommodation, including university residences and private rental accommodation.
What does student accommodation look like in Brussels?
There is a wide range of student accommodation in Brussels. It is not always easy for students to find affordable accommodation. Only around 13% of Brussels students live in university residences, the others opting for private rooms, apartments or shared flats.
Cost of student accommodation in Brussels
Accommodation costs in university residences in Brussels vary depending on the type of accommodation, with the average cost of a single room being around 350 euros per month. All fees are included, but parking is extra if required, and students are charged between 6 and 30 euros per month. The average cost for students living in private accommodation in Brussels is 400 to 750 euros per month, including bills, depending on the location.
What to expect in a rental contract for student accommodation in Brussels
Rental contracts for students in Brussels are largely the same as general rental contracts in terms of deposit, notice periods, rights and responsibilities and rental guarantee. There is usually no sublet clause.
Employee accommodation in Brussels
Many Brussels-based companies bring in foreign workers who need a place to live in the city, sometimes for the short term and sometimes for the long term. Mr. Lodge works closely with companies in Belgium to find suitable short-term accommodation for employees and their families. Mr. Lodge’s staff work closely with individual employers to ensure that newly relocated workers quickly settle into life in Brussels and feel at home.
Social housing in Brussels
Social housing is not common in Belgium and most real estate is available for rent through the private sector. On the other hand, there are state-subsidized housing at reduced prices, which accounts for around 5% of housing in Belgium. Subsidized housing can be found through housing companies, housing associations or cooperatives. In Belgium, the housing stock is managed at the municipal level and many cities, including Brussels, have pledged to provide more subsidized housing to low-income residents by 2021.
Social housing is available in Brussels for people with low incomes as well as for groups such as single parents, elderly residents and pregnant women. Low-income people can also apply for a housing allowance in the form of a rent subsidy (wohngeld) to cover rental costs. To apply for social housing, housing allowance or for further information, you can contact the social services department of the Brussels city hall.
Rights of tenants in Brussels
In Belgium, the housing law is largely favorable to the tenant and protects them against things such as eviction without notice and excessive rent increases. You can find out more about tenants’ rights in this guide to renting in Belgium.
After the move to Brussels
Once you have found a property to rent in Brussels, there are a few things you need to sort out. First of all, if you live in Brussels for more than three months, you must register your address at the local registration office within two weeks of your arrival. You will find detailed information, as well as downloadable forms, on the website of the City of Brussels. If you want to access local healthcare, you will also need to find a doctor in Brussels. Check out this guide to resettlement in Belgium for a full list of things to consider.