Subletting a student room during the summer holidays
Can you sublet your student room during the summer holidays in Belgium? Rules, landlord's consent, taxation and alternatives for students.
- 01 The situation
- 02 Subletting rules
- 03 Alternatives
- 04 Advice
The student summer dilemma
Alexia pays 500 EUR/month for her student room in Ixelles. From June to September (4 months), she is at her parents’ house and the room is empty. That is 2,000 EUR in “wasted” rent. She is considering subletting to recover some of this amount.
This is a very common situation in Belgium: approximately 60% of student rooms are unoccupied during the summer while the student tenant continues to pay.
The problem: subletting is prohibited by default in primary residence leases, and most student leases explicitly prohibit it.
For the rules on subletting in Belgium, see our dedicated guide.
Student room subletting rules
What the law says
| Region | Full subletting | Partial subletting | Airbnb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brussels | Prohibited (unless agreed) | Permitted if student stays | Agreement + registration |
| Wallonia | Prohibited (unless agreed) | Permitted if student stays | Agreement + declaration |
| Flanders | Prohibited (unless agreed) | Permitted if student stays | Agreement + certificate |
To sublet in summer, you need:
- Written agreement from the landlord (email confirmed by registered letter)
- A sublease contract between the student and the sub-tenant
- A property inventory at move-in and move-out
- Insurance for the sub-tenant (liability + contents)
- Tourist registration if Airbnb (mandatory in Brussels)
Without the landlord’s agreement
If Alexia sublets without agreement, she risks:
- Lease termination for serious breach
- Liability for all acts of the sub-tenant (damage, nuisance)
- A fine if the subletting is tourist-related and not registered
Many landlords accept summer subletting if asked politely and in advance. Most prefer an occupied room (surveillance) rather than an empty one for 4 months.
Alternatives to subletting
Negotiate a 10-month lease
The best solution is to plan ahead: negotiate a 10-month lease (September to June) instead of 12 months. The monthly rent is often slightly higher (+5-10%) but the total cost is lower.
| Formula | Rent/month | Months | Annual total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12-month lease | 500 EUR | 12 | 6,000 EUR |
| 10-month lease | 540 EUR | 10 | 5,400 EUR |
| Saving | - | - | 600 EUR |
Lease suspension (if the landlord agrees)
Some landlords agree to suspend the lease during the summer:
- The student returns the keys and does not pay rent
- The landlord can offer the room to another temporary tenant
- The lease resumes in September under the same conditions
This requires a written amendment to the lease.
Summer shared housing
If the lease allows it, Alexia can share her room with a student on a summer internship. This is partial subletting (permitted if the tenant remains in the premises) but Alexia must be present or resident.
Advice
For the student
- Negotiate a 10-month lease at signing (this is the best time)
- Request the landlord’s agreement for summer subletting (in writing)
- Carry out a property inventory with the sub-tenant (photos)
- Check the sub-tenant’s insurance
- Do not post the room on Airbnb without registration
For the landlord
- Offer 10-month leases (attractive for students, higher monthly rent)
- Authorise summer subletting under conditions (contract, insurance, property inventory)
- Or propose a direct subletting during summer (with the student’s agreement)
For the parents
- Check the lease before signing: duration, subletting clause, charges
- Family home insurance often covers the student room — check the conditions
To create a suitable student lease, use our online lease generator. For other cases, see our case studies.