Renting out in Wallonia: steps and landlord obligations
Complete guide to renting out a property in Wallonia. Legal obligations, standard lease, registration, EPC, rental deposit and practical steps for landlords.
- 01 Key steps
- 02 The Walloon lease
- 03 Legal obligations
- 04 Deposit and EPC
- 05 Practical advice
Steps to rent out a property in Wallonia
Renting out a property in Wallonia means complying with a precise legal framework. The decree of 15 March 2018 on residential leases defines the landlord’s obligations. Here is the complete process, from preparing the property to the tenant moving in.
Typical timeline:
- Bringing the property up to standard (habitability norms)
- Obtaining the EPC certificate
- Publishing the advert (with the mandatory EPC)
- Viewings and tenant selection
- Drafting and signing the lease
- Entry inventory of fixtures
- Setting up the rental deposit
- Registering the lease (within 2 months)
- Handing over the keys
Before even publishing an advert, you must have a valid EPC certificate. The advert must mention the property’s energy class. The absence of an EPC in the advert is subject to penalties.
The Walloon lease: what it must contain
The residential lease in Wallonia must be written and contain at minimum:
- Full identity of both parties (landlord and tenant)
- Description of the rented property (address, floor, number of rooms)
- Start date and duration of the lease
- Rent amount and payment terms
- Charges amount (fixed or provisional)
- Rental deposit amount
- Reference to the EPC certificate and its energy class
The primary residence lease in Wallonia is concluded for a default duration of 9 years. Short-term leases (1, 2 or 3 years) are possible but must be expressly agreed upon in writing.
A compliant lease generated online automatically covers all these mandatory mentions and Wallonia-specific clauses.
Mandatory annexes
- Entry inventory of fixtures (detailed, contradictory)
- Tenant guide (regional legal booklet)
- EPC certificate
- Co-ownership regulations (if applicable)
The landlord’s legal obligations
Habitability standards
The property must meet Walloon minimum habitability standards:
- Minimum habitable surface area (one room of at least 20 m2)
- Natural or mechanical ventilation in each room
- Compliant electrical installation (RGIE certificate)
- No excessive dampness
- Hot and cold running water
- Complete sanitary installation (toilet, shower/bath)
- Fixed heating in living areas
Lease registration
The lease must be registered within 2 months of signing. Registration is free for residential leases. It is done online via MyRent (FPS Finance) or by post.
An unregistered lease deprives the landlord of the right to require notice from the tenant in the event of termination. The tenant can leave without notice or compensation. Registration is essential protection for the landlord.
Rent indexation
Indexation is allowed once a year, on the anniversary date of the lease. The formula uses the health index published by the FPS Economy. Indexation is not automatic: the landlord must request it in writing from the tenant. It cannot be retroactive beyond 3 months.
Rental deposit and EPC
Rental deposit
In Wallonia, the rental deposit cannot exceed 3 months’ rent (excluding charges). Three methods of constitution are possible:
- Blocked bank account in the tenant’s name (most common method)
- Bank guarantee where the tenant repays in instalments
- CPAS for tenants receiving social assistance
The landlord cannot demand a cash payment or keep the deposit in their own account.
EPC certificate
The EPC certificate is mandatory for any rental in Wallonia. It must be carried out by an accredited certifier. It is valid for 10 years.
Costs:
- EPC certificate for a flat: 150 to 250 EUR
- EPC certificate for a house: 200 to 400 EUR
A property with a good EPC (A-C) rents for 10 to 15% more than a poorly rated property. Walloon renovation grants can finance up to 70% of energy improvement works.
Practical advice for renting out in Wallonia
- Draft a complete lease: a professional compliant lease protects you in the event of a dispute before the justice of the peace. Handwritten or incomplete leases are a source of problems.
- Register without delay: do it as soon as the lease is signed, not at the last minute. MyRent is free and takes 10 minutes.
- Document the inventory of fixtures: photos, detailed descriptions, signatures of both parties. This is your protection at the end of the lease.
- Check the EPC: a poor EPC reduces your rent and may require compulsory works in the future. Invest in renovation with Walloon grants.
- Manage indexations: use a rental management tool to automate the calculation and sending of indexations.
To assess the yield of your Walloon property, see our ranking of the most profitable cities and our yield calculation method.
Guide based on Walloon legislation in force on 1 January 2026: decree of 15 March 2018 on residential leases, Belgian Civil Code Book III Title VIII, Walloon Government order of 7 September 2023. Additional sources: FPS Finance, SPW Logement.
Frequently asked questions
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The Walloon landlord must provide a property meeting habitability standards, draft a written lease, register it within 2 months, provide an EPC certificate, carry out an entry inventory of fixtures and set up the rental deposit in a blocked account.
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Yes. The EPC certificate must be available from the publication of the rental advert and given to the tenant at the latest when the lease is signed. The absence of an EPC can result in a fine of 500 to 50,000 EUR.
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Registration is done free of charge online via MyRent (FPS Finance) or by post to the competent registration office. The legal deadline is 2 months from the date the lease is signed. Registration is free for residential leases.
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