In Belgium

The rental income guarantee is an insurance product protecting the landlord against the risk of unpaid rent. This mechanism is very common in France (GLI) but still uncommon in Belgium.

The Belgian market is developing, driven by online rental management platforms, Belgian insurance companies offering dedicated products, and property agencies including it in management mandates.

The rental income guarantee is not mandatory and complements the standard rental guarantee (blocked account). It covers a broader scope: unpaid rent, legal procedure costs, and sometimes rental damage.

Premium. Typically 2 to 4% of annual rent. On a 900 EUR/month rent, the annual premium is 216 to 432 EUR. It is borne by the landlord.

Solvency criteria. The insurer checks the tenant’s solvency (income, employment status) before accepting the risk.

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Good to know
The rental income guarantee does not replace the standard rental guarantee. It supplements it. The landlord keeps the guarantee on a blocked account (2 months) and additionally benefits from insurance coverage for unpaid rent beyond that amount.

Practical example

Isabelle owns 3 apartments in Brussels. After a bad experience with a defaulting tenant, she takes out a rental income guarantee for all 3 properties. Total premium: 1,080 EUR/year (3 x 360 EUR). When one tenant stops paying in March, Isabelle declares the claim in May (after 2 months). The insurer covers the unpaid rent and lawyer fees for the eviction procedure.