In Belgium

The remaining lease term plays a role in several practical situations:

  • Early termination: compensation due by the tenant or landlord depends on the current year of the lease
  • Property sale: a buyer purchasing a property with a registered lease must respect it. A long remaining term can be a drawback (or an asset with a reliable tenant)
  • Rent revision: the request can only be made between the 9th and 6th month before the end of a triennial

The remaining term is also a yield parameter: a long lease with a good tenant secures income.

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Good to know
When selling a rented property, the notary mentions the remaining lease term in the sale deed. The buyer is legally subrogated into the original landlord’s rights and obligations.

Practical example

A landlord sells their apartment in Brussels. The 9-year lease started 4 years ago — the remaining term is 5 years. The buyer knows they must respect this lease for another 5 years under the same conditions.