Rental rights and obligations in Wallonia
Specific rights and obligations of tenant and landlord in Wallonia. Walloon decree, lease, rental permit, deposit and regional standards.
Walloon legal framework
The primary residence lease in Wallonia is governed by the decree of 15 March 2018 on residential leases and the Civil Code.
Reference texts
| Text | Scope |
|---|---|
| Walloon decree of 15 March 2018 | Residential lease |
| Walloon Sustainable Housing Code | 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 Wallonia
Before letting
- Obtain a valid EPC certificate
- Obtain a rental permit if the property requires one
- Ensure the property complies with Walloon standards
- Provide mandatory information in the listing
At signing
- Written lease mandatory
- Adversarial move-in inventory
- Lease registration (free of charge)
- Rental deposit of maximum 2 months (blocked account)
During the lease
| Obligation | Detail |
|---|---|
| Major repairs | Structure, major equipment |
| Peaceful enjoyment | Respect for privacy |
| Compliance | Maintaining habitability standards |
| Rent indexation | Compliance with Walloon EPC caps |
Tenant obligations in Wallonia
Payment
- Monthly rent
- Charges (provisions or flat rate)
- Rental deposit: maximum 2 months’ rent
Wallonia-specific obligations
| Obligation | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fire insurance | Mandatory (Wallonia-specific) |
| Boiler maintenance | Every two years (gas), annual (oil) |
| Rental repairs | Day-to-day maintenance |
| Occupation | As a responsible tenant |
End of lease
- 3-month notice period (registered letter)
- Move-out inventory
- Return the property in good condition
Wallonia-specific rules
Reduced rental deposit
| Form | Maximum amount |
|---|---|
| Blocked account | 2 months’ rent |
| Bank guarantee | 2 months’ rent |
| PCSW guarantee | 2 months’ rent |
Wallonia is the Region where the rental deposit is the lowest (2 months compared to 3 months in Brussels and Flanders).
Mandatory fire insurance
Wallonia is the only Belgian Region where the tenant’s fire insurance is mandatory. Non-compliance exposes the tenant to sanctions.
Rental permit
The rental permit is mandatory for small dwellings and collective housing. It is issued by the municipality for a period of 5 years.
Rent indexation and EPC
Rent indexation in Wallonia has been linked to the EPC certificate since 2023:
- EPC A-B-C: full indexation
- EPC D: indexation at 75%
- EPC E: indexation at 50%
- EPC F-G: indexation frozen
Housing aid
Walloon tenants can benefit from a moving allowance, a rent allowance and renovation grants. To create a compliant lease, use our lease generator.