What is a renon?
A renon (also called “conge” or notice to terminate) is the official written notification by which a tenant or landlord terminates a lease. In Belgium, it must be sent by registered letter or bailiff service. It triggers the notice period: 3 months for tenants, 6 months for landlords. The term “renon” is a Belgian French expression widely used in real estate practice.
The renon is not a request — it is a unilateral declaration. The other party does not need to accept it for it to be valid. Once properly sent, the termination process is set in motion and cannot be reversed (except by mutual agreement).
Key characteristics:
- Form: registered letter or bailiff service (mandatory)
- Effect: triggers the notice period
- Irrevocable: once sent, it cannot be withdrawn unilaterally
- No agreement needed: the other party need not consent
How to send a renon
- Draft the letter: clearly state your intention to terminate the lease
- Include required information: your name, the property address, the lease reference, and the desired termination date
- Send by registered letter: via bpost at a post office or online
- Keep the sending receipt: this is your proof of date
- Calculate the notice period: starts on the 1st of the month following receipt (presumed 3 business days after sending)
BailBelgique provides a renon generator that creates a legally compliant notice letter with all required formulations and automatically calculates the notice period dates.
What the renon must contain
A valid renon should include:
- Sender’s identity: full name and current address
- Recipient’s identity: full name and address
- Property address: the rented property concerned
- Clear statement: unambiguous declaration of intention to terminate
- Notice period: reference to the legal notice period
- Date and signature
- For landlords: the specific ground for termination and, if applicable, the identity of the person who will occupy the property
A renon that is too vague, sent by the wrong means (email, SMS), or that fails to specify the ground (for landlords) is null and void.
Regional specifics
Brussels-Capital Region
The Ordinance of 27 July 2017 applies the standard renon rules. The renon can be in French, Dutch, or both (depending on the language of the lease).
Wallonia
The Decree of 15 March 2018 applies the same requirements. The renon is typically in French in Wallonia.
Flanders
The Flemish Housing Rental Decree of 9 November 2018 requires the renon to be in Dutch for leases in the Flemish Region (Language Laws).
Law of 20 February 1991, article 3 (form and effect of the renon). Judicial Code, article 53bis (receipt presumption).