In Belgium, the landlord is required to provide a rent receipt free of charge upon the tenant’s request. This obligation stems from general law: a debtor who pays is entitled to proof of payment. The landlord may neither refuse nor charge for this document.

If the rent is paid by bank transfer, the bank statement serves as proof of payment. However, the receipt remains useful as it details the breakdown between rent and charges, which can be crucial in a dispute before the justice of the peace.

Content and best practices

A complete rent receipt must include: the landlord’s and tenant’s names, the address of the rented property, the period covered, the rent amount, the charges amount, the payment date and the landlord’s signature.

It is recommended to number receipts and keep a copy. For landlords managing multiple properties, an automated receipt system saves time while ensuring perfect traceability of payments received.