Documents required for renting in Belgium
Complete list of documents required to rent a property in Belgium. Landlord obligations, tenant obligations and documents prohibited by law.
Documents the landlord must provide
Before putting a property on the rental market, the landlord must gather a set of mandatory documents. These obligations vary slightly by region but the common core is identical.
In Belgium, a landlord who rents without providing mandatory documents faces administrative penalties and, above all, a weakened legal position in the event of a dispute.
The EPC certificate must be available from the publication of the listing. Its score and label must appear in every rental listing. The other documents must be ready at the latest on the day of signing the lease.
Mandatory documents (all regions)
| Document | When to provide | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| EPC certificate | Before the listing | 10 years |
| Written lease (2 originals) | At signing | Duration of the lease |
| Entry property inventory | Day of key handover | Duration of the lease |
Region-specific documents
Brussels:
- Electrical compliance certificate (mandatory)
- Information on the indicative rent grid
- Gas compliance certificate (if gas installation)
Wallonia:
- Explanatory annex on rights and obligations
- Electrical compliance certificate (recommended)
- Heating installation compliance certificate
Flanders:
- Electrical compliance certificate (mandatory for new installations)
- Informative annex on the Woninghuurdecreet
- Building fire insurance certificate
Technical diagnostics
Beyond legal obligations, the landlord has an interest in providing:
- The latest boiler inspection report
- The chimney sweeping certificate
- The gas installation compliance report
- The asbestos certificate (for older buildings, not yet mandatory but in preparation)
Documents the tenant must provide
The application file
A tenant applying for a property must provide documents proving their identity and solvency. Here is the list of authorised documents:
| Document | Purpose | Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|
| Identity card / residence permit | Identification | Yes |
| Last 3 payslips | Solvency | Yes |
| Employment contract | Stability | Recommended |
| Tax assessment notice | Annual income | Depends on profile |
| Household composition | Number of occupants | Recommended |
| Employer’s certificate | Employment confirmation | Optional |
| Reference from previous landlord | Rental history | Optional |
After signing the lease
The tenant must provide the landlord with:
- The fire/tenant liability insurance certificate
- Proof of domiciliation (if the lease requires it)
- Payment of the rental guarantee into the blocked account
To prepare a complete and convincing file, consult our guide on the tenant application file.
Documents the landlord cannot request
The anti-discrimination law and the right to privacy strictly limit the documents a landlord can require. Requesting a prohibited document exposes the landlord to penalties and can constitute evidence of discrimination.
List of prohibited documents
- Criminal record extract: disproportionate invasion of privacy
- Bank account statement: only payslips prove solvency
- Non-indebtedness certificate (NBB): prohibited
- Medical file: health information is protected
- Marriage or divorce certificate: marital status is a protected criterion
- Non-pregnancy certificate: prohibited discrimination
- Information on ethnic origin, religion or beliefs: protected criteria
- Identity photo (for selection purposes): physical appearance is a protected criterion
What to do if a landlord requests a prohibited document?
- Politely refuse and remind them of the law
- Report the case to Unia (Interfederal Centre for Equal Opportunities) if you believe you are a victim of discrimination
- Keep a written record of the request (email, message)
For more on non-discriminatory selection, consult our dedicated guide.
Lease registration
Why register the lease?
Registration of the lease with the FPS Finance is a legal obligation of the landlord. It must be done within 2 months of signing. Registration is free for main residence leases.
Consequences of registration:
- The tenant is protected in the event of sale (the new owner must respect the lease)
- A tenant on an unregistered lease can terminate it without notice or compensation
- Registration is necessary for rent indexation to apply
The MyRent procedure
- Log in to MyRent (FPS Finance) with your eID or itsme
- Enter the lease details (parties, address, rent, duration)
- Upload the signed lease as PDF
- Validate the registration
The landlord receives a confirmation with the registration number.
Required documents
- The signed original lease (PDF scan)
- The parties’ national register numbers
- The full address of the property
- The rent and charge amounts
Practical tips
For landlords
- Gather all documents before publishing the listing
- Have the EPC and technical certificates done in advance (delays can be long)
- Never request prohibited documents: the legal and reputational risks are not worth it
- Register the lease within 2 months: it is free and protects both parties
For tenants
- Prepare your application file before viewings
- Only provide authorised documents
- Check that the landlord provides the EPC and mandatory certificates
- Make sure the lease is registered (request the registration number)
Tools to simplify
With BailBelgique, the online lease agreement automatically includes the mandatory clauses for your region, the required annexes and the registration procedure. No more chasing after documents: everything is centralised in a single rental management tool.
Frequently asked questions
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The landlord must provide: the EPC certificate (mandatory in all 3 regions), the electrical compliance certificate (mandatory in Brussels), and a draft written lease. They must also make available the co-ownership rules (if applicable) and information on the indicative rent grid (in Brussels).
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No. The criminal record is among the documents the landlord cannot request. The anti-discrimination law prohibits any document request that could discriminate on a protected criterion. Requesting the criminal record is considered a disproportionate invasion of the candidate's privacy.
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The lease generally provides for the obligation to take out fire/tenant liability insurance. The landlord can request an insurance certificate after signing the lease. In Wallonia and Brussels, fire insurance is quasi-mandatory. The landlord cannot impose a specific insurer.
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To register the lease on MyRent (FPS Finance), you need: the signed original lease, the property inventory (if available), the registration form and the parties' national register numbers. Registration is free for main residence leases and must be done within 2 months.
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