New tenant expectations in Belgium in 2026
Belgian tenants in 2026 demand digital tools, energy performance and flexibility. Survey results and advice for landlords who want to attract the best profiles.
359days ago
!What changes
- 178% of tenants under 35 consider electronic lease signing as a minimum
- 2EPC is the 2nd selection criterion after price (ahead of location) for 25-40 year olds
- 352% of tenants want a flexible lease (adjustable duration, early termination clause)
- 4Connected equipment (thermostat, video intercom) is a decisive criterion for 35% of tenants
- 5Transparency on actual charges (not estimated) is demanded by 64% of applicants
The survey in figures
The BailBelgique-Immoweb survey conducted in Q4 2025 among 2,000 Belgian tenants reveals a profound shift in expectations. The 2026 tenant is no longer the same as in 2020.
| Selection criterion | Importance 2020 | Importance 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 94% | 92% |
| EPC / energy performance | 22% | 68% |
| Location | 78% | 65% |
| Floor area | 65% | 61% |
| Digital (signing, receipts) | 12% | 55% |
| Lease flexibility | 28% | 52% |
| Connected equipment | 8% | 35% |
EPC has tripled in importance in 6 years, overtaking location. This is a direct consequence of rising energy prices: a tenant in an EPC F property pays on average 150-200 EUR/month more in charges than a tenant in an EPC B property.
For the first time, EPC is the 2nd selection criterion for Belgian tenants, ahead of location. A well-located but poorly insulated property loses attractiveness.
Digital as a minimum, not a bonus
Tenants in 2026, especially those under 35, consider digital tools as a prerequisite:
- Electronic lease signing: expected by 78% of under-35s
- Automatic rent receipts: expected by 65%
- Communication by messaging (not phone/post): preferred by 71%
- Digital property inventory with timestamped photos: preferred by 58%
- Tenant portal (request tracking, documents): wanted by 45%
A landlord who requires a physical meeting to sign, sends paper receipts and communicates only by registered post loses candidates — especially high-income profiles (expats, executives, young couples). Digital rental management meets these expectations.
EPC: now a decisive criterion
The rise of EPC as a selection criterion is explained by rising energy charges:
| EPC class | Average energy charges (2 bed, 80 m2) | Difference vs EPC B |
|---|---|---|
| A | 80 EUR/month | -40 EUR |
| B | 120 EUR/month | Baseline |
| C | 160 EUR/month | +40 EUR |
| D | 210 EUR/month | +90 EUR |
| E | 270 EUR/month | +150 EUR |
| F-G | 340+ EUR/month | +220 EUR |
A rational tenant prefers to pay 50 EUR more in rent for an EPC B property rather than save 50 EUR on rent and pay 200 EUR more in charges in an EPC F property. The new energy standards reinforce this trend.
Lease flexibility: a strong demand
52% of tenants want a flexible lease. The most requested formats:
- 1-year renewable lease: preferred by young professionals and mobile workers
- Diplomatic clause: early termination with reduced notice (1-2 months)
- Short-term furnished lease: 3-6 months, for expats and professionals on assignment
- Shared housing with individual lease: each co-tenant can leave independently
The current legislation allows short-term leases (1-3 years) but with constraints. Landlords who offer these formats attract solvent and mobile profiles.
A flexible lease attracts more candidates and reduces vacancy time between two tenants. The cost of vacancy is often higher than the cost of a flexibility clause.
Transparency on charges: an expectation
64% of tenants want to know the actual charges (not estimated) before signing. This means:
- Providing consumption statements for the last 12 months
- Detailing common charges from co-ownership
- Stating the actual amount of property tax passed on to the tenant
- Providing the EPC with estimated energy charges (mandatory in Brussels)
Landlords who are transparent about charges attract better-informed tenants and reduce disputes during the lease. The charges settlement is a sensitive topic best anticipated.
Actions for landlords
To attract the best tenants in 2026:
- Go digital: electronic signing, automatic receipts, online communication
- Improve the EPC: it is the best investment for attractiveness and rent level
- Offer flexibility: 1-year renewable lease, diplomatic clause
- Be transparent: actual charges, EPC, consumption history
- Equip the property: connected thermostat, video intercom, fibre internet — low investment, high impact
- Polish the listing: mention the EPC, office space, fibre, proximity to transport
The rental market remains favourable to landlords in 2026 (low vacancy, strong demand). But tenants are more demanding: those who adapt rent out faster and at higher prices. Use our online lease creation tool and our management platform to meet these expectations.
Frequently asked questions
-
Price remains criterion number one (cited by 92% of respondents). But EPC has become criterion number two (68%), ahead of location (65%) and floor area (61%). This is a major shift compared to 2020, when EPC was cited by only 22%.
-
Yes, overwhelmingly. 78% of under-35s and 55% of all tenants consider electronic signing as a minimum in 2026. Landlords who require a physical meeting to sign lose candidates.
-
Yes. 52% of tenants want a flexible lease (option to leave after 6 months, diplomatic clause). This is linked to professional mobility and remote work. Rigid 3-6-9 leases put off young professionals and expats.
Manage all your leases in one tool
Lease generation, MyRent registration, payment tracking, digital inventory. 14-day free trial, no card required.