Disability accessibility in a rental dwelling in Belgium
Disability accessibility obligations for a rental dwelling in Belgium. Adaptation works, financial grants, and rights of tenants with reduced mobility.
- 01 Legal obligations
- 02 Types of works
- 03 Financial grants
- 04 In practice
Legal accessibility obligations
In Belgium, accessibility for persons with reduced mobility (PRM) in a rented dwelling is based on two pillars: anti-discrimination legislation and regional building standards.
Anti-discrimination law
The law of 10 May 2007 prohibits discrimination based on disability. A landlord may not refuse a PRM tenant or oppose reasonable accommodations.
Regional standards
| Region | Regulation | Obligation for new builds |
|---|---|---|
| Brussels | RRU (Title IV) | Accessible new dwellings |
| Wallonia | CWATUPe | PRM standards for public buildings |
| Flanders | Stedenbouwkundige verordening | Accessibility standards for dwellings |
For existing dwellings, no PRM compliance obligation exists, except for reasonable accommodation at the tenant’s request.
Types of adaptation works
Common adaptations
The most frequent works in a rental:
- Grab bars in the bathroom and toilet
- Access ramp or threshold removal
- Door widening (minimum 85 cm clearance)
- Walk-in shower replacing a bathtub
- Handrails in stairs and corridors
The concept of reasonable accommodation
An accommodation is considered reasonable if its cost is proportional to the rent and the lease duration. A lease addendum must formalise the agreement between the parties.
Any PRM adaptation work must be covered by a lease addendum specifying the nature of the works, the cost allocation and the conditions for restoration at the end of the lease.
Available financial grants
Each Region offers specific grants for PRM adaptations:
| Region | Organisation | Maximum grant |
|---|---|---|
| Wallonia | AViQ | Up to 30,000 EUR |
| Brussels | Phare/COCOF | Variable by project |
| Flanders | VAPH | By disability category |
How to access them
- Have needs assessed by the competent organisation
- Obtain a works quote
- Submit the application before the works begin
- Wait for approval before starting
Processing times vary from 2 to 6 months depending on the Region. For tax aspects, see our guide on rental taxation.
In practice: tenant and landlord
For the tenant
- Submit a written request to the landlord with a precise description of the works
- Attach quotes and a medical certificate if necessary
- Allow a reasonable response time (1 month)
- Keep all written exchanges
For the landlord
- Assess the request against the proportionality criterion
- Check the co-ownership regulations if the property is in a co-ownership
- Formalise the agreement by addendum to the residential lease
- Document the dwelling’s condition before works via an interim property inventory
Both parties benefit from cooperation. An unjustified refusal exposes the landlord to a discrimination action, while a tenant carrying out works without consent risks lease termination.
Frequently asked questions
-
The landlord cannot refuse reasonable adaptations if the tenant is a person with a disability. Refusal may constitute discrimination under the law of 10 May 2007.
-
In principle, the tenant pays for adaptations specific to their disability. Regional grants exist (AViQ in Wallonia, Phare in Brussels, VAPH in Flanders).
-
Yes, unless otherwise agreed in a lease addendum. However, the landlord may waive restoration if the adaptations increase the property's value.