EPC and renting in Flanders
EPC certificate and renting in the Flemish Region: obligations and impact.
EPC obligations for landlords in Flanders
In Flanders, the EPC certificate (Energieprestatiecertificaat) is the equivalent of the Brussels and Walloon EPC. Three obligations fall on the landlord:
- Hold a valid EPC certificate (< 10 years) before publishing the listing
- Display the EPC label in every rental advertisement (score + consumption in kWh/sqm per year)
- Provide a copy to the tenant upon signing the lease
The certificate is issued by a certified assessor approved by VEKA (Vlaams Energie- en Klimaatagentschap). It is automatically integrated into the Woningpas, the digital housing passport in Flanders.
The Woningpas gathers all technical data of the property: EPC label, electrical compliance report, asbestos certificate, planning permits. It is a valuable tool for landlords who want to present a complete file to prospective tenants.
EPC labels and impact on indexation
The Flemish EPC scale runs from A+ (very efficient) to F (energy sieve). Minimum labels for letting evolve as follows:
| Deadline | Minimum label | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| 2028 | E | F-rated properties banned from reletting |
| 2035 | D | E-rated properties banned |
| 2050 | A | Carbon neutrality target |
Rent indexation is conditional on the EPC label:
| EPC label | Indexation right |
|---|---|
| A+ to D | Full indexation |
| E | Limited indexation |
| F | Indexation prohibited |
An F-rated property with a rent of EUR 800/month loses approximately EUR 20/month of indexation each year (at 2.5 % inflation). Over a 9-year lease, this represents a shortfall of several thousand euros. Consult our guide on indexation and the EPC.
Grants and aids in Flanders
Mijn VerbouwPremie
The Mijn VerbouwPremie programme is the main mechanism for energy renovation aid in Flanders. Amounts vary by applicant income:
| Works | Category 1 (low) | Category 2 (medium) | Category 3 (high) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof insulation | EUR 8/sqm | EUR 6/sqm | EUR 4/sqm |
| Wall insulation | EUR 8/sqm | EUR 6/sqm | EUR 4/sqm |
| HR glazing | EUR 50/sqm | EUR 35/sqm | EUR 15/sqm |
| Heat pump | EUR 5,250 | EUR 3,750 | EUR 2,250 |
Landlords are entitled to the same grants as owner-occupiers. Applications are made via the Fluvius portal within 24 months of the final invoice.
EPC+ audit
The EPC+ audit is an in-depth audit that identifies priority works and their impact on the label. Partially subsidised, it is the first step before any renovation. Priority insulation works are often identified as the most cost-effective.
Practical steps for Flemish landlords
1. Check the Woningpas. Visit the Vlaamse overheid portal to access your property’s digital passport. Verify that the EPC label is up to date.
2. Assess your situation. If your property is rated F, works are urgent (2028 deadline). For an E-rated property, you have until 2035 but indexation is already limited.
3. Plan works. Start with an EPC+ audit to identify the most effective interventions. Roof insulation generally offers the best return on investment.
4. Apply for grants. Mijn VerbouwPremie grants significantly reduce the cost of works. Remember: applications are made after works, within 24 months.
For rules in other regions, consult our guides on EPC in Brussels and EPC in Wallonia.
A rental management software centralises your EPC certificates, deadline alerts and works tracking for all your properties.