Student lease in Belgium: complete guide
Everything about the student lease (student room) in Belgium. Duration, rights, rental deposit, termination, differences by Region and tips for parents and students.
Student lease specifics in Belgium
The student lease (or student room lease) is a specific rental contract intended for students living away from the family home. In Belgium, it has several distinctive features:
- Short duration: generally 10 to 12 months, aligned with the academic year
- Tenant often a minor or young adult without income
- Parental guarantor quasi-systematic
- Specific regime in Flanders since the Vlaams Woninghuurdecreet of 2019
In Brussels and Wallonia, the student lease follows the rules of the short-term lease. In Flanders, a dedicated regime offers more flexibility to the student.
A minor student (under 18) may sign a lease with the authorisation of their legal representatives. Parents generally sign as co-tenants or joint guarantors.
Rules by Region
Flanders — specific student regime
The Vlaams Woninghuurdecreet (2019) provides a specific regime for studentenhuisvesting:
- Duration: 12 months maximum, renewable
- Tenant notice period: 2 months (instead of 3)
- Early termination possible if the student stops studies or obtains university residence
- The landlord must provide a furniture inventory (furnished room)
Brussels — short-term lease
No specific student regime. The student room lease follows short-term lease rules (max 3 years). The tenant notice period is 2 months since the 2026 reform.
Wallonia — short-term lease + rental permit
Same rules as Brussels for duration. Additionally, the landlord must obtain a rental permit before putting the room on the market. Non-compliance is sanctioned by a fine.
| Criterion | Flanders | Brussels | Wallonia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specific student regime | Yes | No | No |
| Tenant notice period | 2 months | 2 months | 3 months |
| Rental permit | No | No | Yes |
| Standard duration | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months |
Rental deposit and parental guarantor
Rental deposit
The landlord may require a rental deposit of 2 months’ rent maximum (3 months if EPC is A-D in Brussels). For a room at EUR 450/month, the deposit amounts to EUR 900.
Options for constituting the deposit:
- Blocked account at the bank in the student’s name (standard option)
- Bank guarantee via the CPAS/OCMW if the student is in financial difficulty
- Payment to the landlord (not recommended — no protection for the student)
Parental guarantor
The parental guarantee is a commitment by the parents to pay rent and charges if the student fails to do so. It must be formalised in writing, ideally in the lease itself or in an annexed document.
Termination and end of lease
Termination by the student
The student may terminate:
- At expiry: notice of 3 months (2 in Flanders and Brussels) before the end of the lease
- During the lease: 3-month notice + 1-month compensation
- In Flanders: facilitated termination if studies are discontinued or establishment changes
Renewal
If no one gives notice before expiry, the lease is renewed for an identical duration. Caution: if the total exceeds 3 years, the lease is reclassified as a 3-6-9 lease.
Tips for parents and students
- Visit the room before signing — check the general condition, heating, insulation, safety
- Read the lease conditions — particularly the clauses on subletting and pets
- Do a detailed inventory — photograph every room, every defect
- Check insurance — the family home insurance often covers the student room (check with your insurer)
- Register the lease — it is free and protects the student in case of sale
To create a student lease compliant with your Region’s rules, use our online lease generator. For more information, consult our guide on residential leases in Belgium.