Recoverable charges from the tenant: complete list
Complete list of charges the landlord can recover from the tenant in Belgium: water, electricity, maintenance, co-ownership, and special cases.
List of recoverable charges
| Charge | Recoverable | Allocation key |
|---|---|---|
| Water (individual meter) | Yes | Actual consumption |
| Water (shared meter) | Yes | Pro rata floor area or occupants |
| Electricity common areas | Yes | Pro rata share |
| Collective heating | Yes | Individual meter or pro rata |
| Common area maintenance | Yes | Pro rata share |
| Lift (maintenance + contract) | Yes | Pro rata share |
| Waste / refuse taxes | Yes | Per unit or pro rata |
| Chimney sweeping | Yes | Per unit |
| Communal garden maintenance | Yes | Pro rata |
| Caretaker / concierge | Yes | Pro rata |
| Fire extinguishers (annual check) | Yes | Pro rata |
| Pest control / disinfection | Yes | If linked to regular use |
The service charges calculation must be based on actual costs and a fair allocation key.
Co-ownership charges: the sorting
Co-ownership statements mix recoverable and non-recoverable charges. The landlord must sort them:
| Co-ownership item | Recoverable | Non-recoverable |
|---|---|---|
| Common area electricity | X | |
| Cleaning | X | |
| Lift (maintenance) | X | |
| Lift (replacement) | X | |
| Collective heating | X | |
| Building insurance | X | |
| Reserve fund | X | |
| Building manager (current share) | X (partially) | |
| Building manager (extraordinary meetings) | X | |
| Facade rendering | X | |
| Roof (repair) | X |
See the list of non-recoverable charges for details.
Special cases
Furnished rental
Maintenance and replacement costs for furniture are not recoverable charges. They are included in the rent (20-40% higher than an unfurnished property).
Shared tenancy
Service charges in shared tenancy are often managed as a flat fee to simplify allocation among co-tenants.
Detached house
For a detached house, recoverable charges are generally limited to chimney sweeping, waste tax and garden maintenance if provided for in the lease.
[!tip] Practical tip List the recoverable charges in the lease with their calculation method. Transparency avoids disputes when the annual statement is issued.
Proper allocation of charges
A clear and justified statement prevents disputes. Carefully sort co-ownership charges and document each item. A rental management software automates the sorting and calculation.
Create your lease online with precise and transparent service charges conditions.
Frequently asked questions
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Charges related to the use of the dwelling: water, shared electricity, collective heating, common area maintenance, lift (maintenance), waste, chimney sweeping. Property tax and building fire insurance are never recoverable.
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No, the tenant's home insurance is not a charge recoverable by the landlord. It is a personal expense of the tenant (even if the lease may require it). The landlord cannot include it in service charges.
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Only the portion of co-ownership charges related to day-to-day use: common area maintenance, electricity, lift, heating. Co-ownership charges related to ownership (reserve fund, major repairs, building insurance) remain the landlord's responsibility.