Mandatory and recommended annexes
The mandatory annexes to a Belgian residential lease are: the EPC certificate (Energy Performance Certificate), the entry inventory of fixtures, and regional annexes specific to each region. Other documents are strongly recommended but not legally required, such as the co-ownership regulations and the floor plan.
Belgian law requires several documents to be annexed to the lease at the time of signature. These requirements vary by region, but all three regions mandate the EPC and entry inventory.
| Annex | Mandatory? | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| EPC certificate | Yes (all regions) | Energy performance rating |
| Entry inventory of fixtures | Yes (all regions) | Record of property condition |
| Regional annexes | Yes (varies by region) | Consumer information |
| Co-ownership regulations | Recommended | Building rules |
| Floor plan | Recommended | Property description |
| Electrical compliance certificate | Recommended | Safety verification |
Recommended annexes
Beyond the mandatory annexes, the following documents are strongly recommended:
Co-ownership regulations: if the property is in a co-ownership (apartment building), the internal regulations should be annexed so the tenant is aware of building rules (noise, common areas, parking, etc.).
Floor plan: a floor plan helps avoid disputes about the property’s layout and surface area. It is particularly useful when the lease must state the surface area.
Electrical compliance certificate: proves that the electrical installation has been inspected and meets safety standards.
Insurance attestation: proof that the tenant has taken out fire insurance (mandatory for the tenant in most leases).
Identity documents: copies of both parties’ identity cards for registration purposes.
BailBelgique includes all mandatory annexes in the lease generation process and prompts you to attach recommended documents. The EPC number can be verified automatically.
Consequences of missing annexes
Missing mandatory annexes can have legal consequences:
| Missing annex | Consequence |
|---|---|
| No EPC certificate | Fine for the landlord; lease not registrable in some cases |
| No entry inventory | Presumption that property was in good condition at entry (disadvantages the tenant) |
| No regional annex (Brussels) | Fine; tenant may challenge rent level |
| No regional annex (Wallonia) | Fine; information obligation not met |
The entry inventory is particularly critical: without it, the tenant is presumed to have received the property in good condition. This means the landlord can more easily claim damages from the deposit at the end of the lease.
Regional specifics
Brussels-Capital Region
Brussels requires the following additional annexes:
- Reference rent grid (grille indicative des loyers): showing the average rent for comparable properties
- Regional information annex: standardised form explaining tenant rights
- EPC certificate: mandatory since 2011
Walloon Region
Wallonia requires:
- Rent composition information: breakdown of rent and charges
- Regional information annex: standardised form
- EPC certificate: mandatory
Flemish Region
Flanders requires:
- EPC certificate: mandatory
- Conformity attestation: for rental properties (where applicable)
- The mandatory lease template itself contains the required information
Regional housing legislation (Brussels 2017, Wallonia 2018, Flanders 2018) + Energy Performance Directive — Each region specifies its own mandatory annexes.