Rent an apartment in Brussels
If you’re thinking of renting in Brussels, here’s what you need to know about finding suitable accommodation and what to expect in the city.
Brussels is one of Belgium’s most popular and well-known cities, with a large foreign population.
Brussels is a beautiful city to live in. It currently ranks in the top ten of the Mercer Quality of Living Index. Brussels is known for its parks, cultural activities and lush greenery. However, this quality comes at a price. Brussels is the most expensive city in Belgium for property rentals. It’s 20% more expensive than Liège, which ranks second for rental prices, so it’s important to shop around to find something suitable. The good news for those renting in Brussels is that there is a wide range of options, including furnished and serviced apartments as well as houses with pretty gardens. With a few exceptions, however, it’s difficult to find a landlord who will take on short-term rentals. But high demand means that landlords are very picky about who they rent to, so make sure you have as many guarantees as possible. You can also apply online for a rental guarantee.
What are the best districts in Brussels?
The best areas to rent an apartment in Brussels are in the city center.
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 to look for accommodation, from personal ads on billboards 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 longer any commission fees for tenants in Belgium.
Unfurnished rentals in Brussels
Many properties in Brussels are rented without furniture. They’re less expensive and very useful if you want to have more freedom to bring your own furniture, but they obviously require a lot more work to set up (and move out!).
What it’s like to rent without furniture in Brussels
Unfurnished apartments in Brussels are often rented completely unfurnished, sometimes with no kitchen, no appliances, nothing. They are generally available for long-term rental leases and are suitable for tenants who want to settle in and make their home their own. As Belgium has a high percentage of renters, unfurnished properties are popular with families looking for stable, long-term accommodation. All types of property can be found unfurnished, from one-bedroom apartments to 4-5 bedroom houses. Tenants generally have the freedom to decorate and make a few alterations to the facilities, but check the rental agreement or ask the landlord first what can and cannot be done. It’s also possible to rent partially furnished apartments in Brussels (for example, 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 less expensive than in some parts of Northern Europe. Expect to pay between €650 and €1,100 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in the less expensive districts and suburbs, and between €800 and €1,500 per month in the city center and more expensive areas of the city. The average for a three-bedroom apartment is around 1,600 euros a 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 contract
Typical rental contracts in Belgium last at least three years. Landlords renting unfurnished properties are probably looking for long-term tenants, so expect to sign a contract for at least three years. Leases are usually open-ended, so the contract is subject to renewal and can be terminated by either the landlord or the tenant with three months’ notice.
Check the contract carefully to find out who is responsible for repairs. In general, tenants are responsible for day-to-day repairs, while the landlord is responsible for more extensive work, such as building repairs. Subletting is not normally possible. When you move out, you must return the property to the condition it was in before you signed the rental agreement. This means repainting the walls to their original color (if you’ve done any decorating) and removing all fixtures and fittings, unless you have the landlord’s permission to leave them in place.
How to find an unfurnished rental in Brussels
Unfurnished rentals can be found through a real estate agent. You can obtain information on real estate agents in the Brussels area through the German Real Estate Association. You can also find rentals on numerous online real estate portals, such as immoweb or immovlan.
To rent an unfurnished apartment in Brussels, you will generally need to provide the following information:
- photo ID and a Belgian residence permit;
- proof of income ;
- a credit report or certificate from your previous landlord.
- 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 offering longer-term 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, similar to hotel services. They are popular with short-term visitors and professionals.
What are serviced apartments in Brussels like?
You can find a range of full-service luxury apartments in Brussels offered by different companies, some of which also offer full-service houses. These apartments may be offered in separate residential complexes or in luxury hotels. You can generally choose the level of service you require, with services available including cleaning, laundry, breakfast and room service.
Cost of serviced apartments in Brussels
Serviced apartments are generally charged by the night, like hotels, although it is often possible to rent in Brussels for longer periods and this proves cheaper in the long term. Prices are generally all-inclusive and can vary from 50 to 200 euros per night, with additional services often charged extra.
What to expect in a serviced apartment rental contract
In the case of serviced apartments, it is more likely that you will have to sign a general conditions agreement rather than a full rental contract, similar to what you have to sign with hotels. Some companies will have a longer contract and ask for a deposit to cover damages, especially for longer stays. You’ll normally specify the length of your stay in advance, and can extend it according to availability. Most contracts or agreements require tenants not to alter the appearance or equipment of the property.
Short-term accommodation in Brussels
Short-term rentals, ranging from a few weeks to a year, are often preferred by expatriates who have just arrived in Brussels. They offer a practical (and generally less expensive) alternative to hotels.
What is short-term accommodation like in Brussels?
As Brussels is a popular tourist city that hosts many international events, such as Oktoberfest, it offers many short-term accommodation options, including small apartments, large houses, vacation rentals and serviced apartments. Properties generally include modern amenities such as TV and wifi.
Cost of short-term accommodation in Brussels
Short-term rentals are generally more expensive than long-term rentals, but they vary according to factors such as surface area and type of accommodation. Good deals are available if you shop around.
What should you expect in a short-term rental contract?
Although tenancy agreements are shorter fixed-term contracts, the three-month notice period still often applies, and tenants who move into a place over a short three-month period are expected to stay for the duration of the agreement, or risk losing their rental guarantee deposit. Other than that, short-term rental contracts don’t differ much from standard rental contracts.
How to find short-term accommodation in Brussels
Websites advertising short-term rentals in Brussels include
- Airbnb
- Student rentals in Brussels
With 6 universities and around 90,000 students, Brussels offers a wide range of accommodation options for students, including university residences and private rental accommodation.
What is student accommodation like in Brussels?
There is a wide range of student accommodation in Brussels. It’s not always easy for students to find affordable kot. Only around 13% of students in Brussels live in halls of residence, the rest opting for private rooms, apartments or shared accommodation.
Cost of student accommodation in Brussels
Accommodation costs in Brussels university residences vary according to the type of accommodation, with the average cost of a single room being around 350 euros per month. All costs are included, but parking is extra if required, and is charged at between 6 and 30 euros per month to students. The average cost for students living in private accommodation in Brussels is between 400 and 750 euros per month, including bills, depending on location.
What to expect in a rental contract for student accommodation in Brussels
Student rental contracts in Brussels are largely the same as general rental contracts in terms of deposits, notice periods, rights and responsibilities and rental guarantees. There is generally no sublease 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. 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 properties are available for rent through the private sector. On the other hand, there is state-subsidized low-cost housing, which accounts for around 5% of all housing in Belgium. Subsidized housing is available through housing corporations, housing associations and cooperatives. In Belgium, housing stock is managed at municipal level, and many cities, including Brussels, have committed to providing more subsidized housing for low-income residents by 2021.
Social housing is available in Brussels for people on low incomes, as well as for groups such as single parents, elderly residents and pregnant women. People on low incomes can also apply for a housing allowance in the form of a rent subsidy (wohngeld) to cover rental costs. To apply for social housing, a housing allowance or for further information, please contact the Social Services Department of Brussels City Council.
Tenants’ rights in Brussels
In Belgium, housing law is largely tenant-friendly, protecting tenants against such things 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’ve found a property to rent in Brussels, there are a few things you need to take care of. First of all, if you live in Brussels for more than three months, you must register your address at the local registry office within two weeks of your arrival. Detailed information and downloadable forms can be found on the City of Brussels website. If you want to access local healthcare, you’ll also need to find a doctor in Brussels. Consult this guide to relocating to Belgium for a complete list of housing considerations.