Renting options in Brussels
Are you staying in Belgium for the short term? Or do you not have the funds to buy a property outright? Then, you might be looking for rental options in Brussels. In that case, we're here to show you your options for renting in Brussels.
Whether you're planning a short stay in Belgium or don't have the funds to buy a property right away, when planning to relocate to Brussels, you'll be looking for rental options in the Belgian capital. With that in mind, let us point out the best rental options in Brussels.
Your rental options in Brussels
Your main choices for rentals in Brussels include rooms, student housing, apartments, aparthotels, and houses. While most Belgians don't rent out their homes, Brussels is an exception due to the high number of expats in the area. Therefore, you're in luck if you're looking for a larger property.
Rooms
One of the cheapest renting options available in Brussels is taking up just a room. This is why it's prevalent with students who choose not to live in on-campus housing. It's also great for single expats on a tight budget. Expect to pay around €300 monthly for a room over 10 square meters.
Student housing
There are five universities in Brussels, many of which have on-campus housing in dorms. You'll have to make arrangements with your university to get accommodation. Expect to pay anywhere between €250 to €500 monthly for a dorm room.
Apartments
This is the most common type of rental you'll find in Brussels. It's perfect for both single people and couples. Some 2-bedroom apartments are even ideal for young families.
Expect to pay €800 to €1,000 for a 1-bedroom apartment and between €1,000 to €1,500 for a 2-bedroom apartment.
Aparthotels
Aparthotels are like apartments but have several key differences that make them more convenient. For example, they're fully furnished, and many services, such as cleaning, insurance, and internet, are included in the price. Also, any issues with the apartment are fixed by the owner.
However, aparthotels are much more expensive to live in because they're basically like hotels. They can cost over €100 per night. It's ideal to stay in aparthotels temporarily while searching for a place rather than long-term.
Houses
If you're moving to Brussels with your family, you might want to rent a house. You might have to check more rural places, but the prices aren't too bad. Expect to pay anywhere between €1,600 to €2,000 a month for a 3-bedroom house.
Things you should know about renting an apartment in Brussels
Most apartments are rented unfurnished, but it's probably not the "unfurnished" you know. You may also see the term "unfurnished shell". This means that the property has absolutely nothing! Not even a stove or fridge, curtains, flooring, light fittings, to name but a few. You'll need to be able to buy these fixtures and fittings either from the previous tenant or from specialist stores and furnish your home to your own taste.
What's more, you'll be responsible for all utilities. Some landlords may cover water and sewerage, but this doesn't happen often, so expect to pay in full for water, sewerage, electricity, and gas services.
As for the rental contract, you can choose between a short-term contract (less than three years) or a long-term contract (more than nine years). What may surprise you most is that the nine-year agreement is more advantageous because it's more flexible.
With a long-term contract, you pay only up to three months' rent if you leave within the first three years. If you leave after four years, there are no penalties. On the other hand, if you decide to terminate your contract during the first year, you will have to pay a penalty representing the amount of the shortfall over the remainder of the agreement.
To ensure that all parties to the contract are protected, the landlord may request the following documents before signing the lease agreement:
- proof of identity;
- proof of income;
- proof of address;
- a recent tax return;
- bank references;
- professional references.
Finding a property to rent in Brussels
The search can begin once you've decided on the type of accommodation you'd like. Several options are open to you, such as simply strolling the streets and neighborhoods of Brussels, looking for signs indicating that a property is available for rent, or relying on word-of-mouth via your network.
As everywhere else, you can also research social networks and online, where real estate agencies operate, if you don't want to go directly to the property. Visit popular sites such as Immoweb, Century 21, Zimmo, etc. You can also use international platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com for a short-term rental in Brussels.
