Rental rights and obligations in Flanders
Specific rights and obligations of tenant and landlord in Flanders. Flemish Housing Rent Decree, lease, deposit and regional standards.
Flemish legal framework
The primary residence lease in Flanders is governed by the Vlaams Woninghuurdecreet (Flemish decree of 9 November 2018, in force since 1 January 2019) and the Civil Code.
Reference texts
| Text | Scope |
|---|---|
| Vlaams Woninghuurdecreet | Flanders-specific rules |
| Vlaamse Wooncode | Habitability standards |
| Civil Code | General lease law |
For rules common to all three Regions, see our general guide on rights and obligations.
Landlord obligations in Flanders
Before letting
- Obtain a valid EPC certificate
- Ensure compliance with Flemish standards (Vlaamse Wooncode)
- Provide mandatory information in the listing
At signing
- Written lease mandatory
- Adversarial move-in inventory
- Lease registration within 2 months (free of charge)
- Rental deposit in a blocked account
During the lease
| Obligation | Detail |
|---|---|
| Major repairs | Structure, major equipment |
| Peaceful enjoyment | Respect for privacy |
| Compliance | Maintaining habitability standards |
| Information | EPC, known risks |
Tenant obligations in Flanders
Payment
- Monthly rent
- Charges (provisions or flat rate)
- Rental deposit: maximum 3 months’ rent
Maintenance
- Minor rental repairs
- Boiler maintenance (every two years for gas, annual for oil)
- Occupying the property as a responsible tenant
- Respect for neighbours
Flemish specificity: bereidheid tot Nederlands
In Flemish social housing, a linguistic requirement demands a willingness to learn Dutch. This rule does not apply to the private rental market.
Flemish-specific rules
Rental deposit
| Form | Maximum amount |
|---|---|
| Blocked account | 3 months’ rent |
| Bank guarantee | 3 months’ rent |
| PCSW guarantee | 3 months’ rent |
Conformiteitsattest
Flanders does not have a rental permit but instead has the conformiteitsattest: a certificate issued by the municipality confirming the property meets Flemish standards.
Flemish student lease
The decree provides specific rules for the student lease (studentenhuurovereenkomst):
- Adapted duration (12 months)
- Easier termination
- Subletting conditions
Asbestos (asbestinventaris)
Flanders requires an asbestos inventory for buildings constructed before 2001 (phased deadline until 2032).
Rent indexation and EPC
Rent indexation rules in Flanders are progressively evolving with an increasing link to the property’s energy label.
To create a lease compliant with Flemish standards, use our lease generator. For housing aid, see our guide on aid in Belgium.