Shared housing lease Brussels 2026: ordinance 2017, 19 municipalities, deposit

Co-living pact

Unlike Wallonia (where it is mandatory), the co-living pact is recommended but not compulsory in Brussels. This document, appended to the lease, governs:

• Distribution of rent and charges.
• House rules.
• Conditions for individual departure.
• Replacement of a departing co-tenant.
• Inventory of shared belongings.

A well-drafted pact prevents the majority of disputes. It is particularly useful in large student shared houses.

Rental deposit in Brussels

The Brussels rental deposit can amount to 3 months’ rent (vs 2 in Wallonia). Rules:

• Payment into a blocked account in the co-tenants’ names.
• Interest accrues in their favour.
• Alternative: monthly bank guarantee (max equivalent of 2 months’ rent).
• Refund within 2 months after the exit inventory, minus any tenant damages.

In shared housing, the deposit is often paid collectively. Its internal distribution is governed by the pact or a mutual agreement between co-tenants.

Notice and termination

Individual departure of a co-tenant

• 3 months’ notice by registered letter (to the landlord and the other co-tenants).
• Degressive compensation during the first 3 years.
• Joint liability towards the landlord until a replacement is found.

Collective termination

To end the lease together, the co-tenants must collectively notify the landlord by registered letter, observe the 3-month notice period, and arrange a contradictory exit inventory.

Termination by the landlord

• 6 months’ notice at each three-year interval.
• Legal ground required (personal occupation, renovation works, no ground + compensation).

Types of shared housing leases in Brussels

Several contract types exist for shared housing:

• Single lease signed by all co-tenants (most common). Standard joint liability clause.
• Individual leases (rare): each co-tenant has their own contract.
• Student lease + shared housing: specific formula for students (10-12 months).
• Subletting: a main tenant signs the lease, then sublets to the others (landlord approval required).

The single lease with an appended pact remains the safest option. For all types, see our shared housing lease pillar.

Bilingualism FR / NL

Brussels is officially bilingual French-Dutch, so a shared housing lease can be drafted in either language, or both. The co-tenants choose freely.

Our platform offers contract templates in French and Dutch, compliant with the Brussels Housing Code 2026.

The 19 municipalities and the shared housing market

Shared housing is particularly prevalent in certain Brussels municipalities:

• Ixelles, Saint-Gilles, Etterbeek: highly sought-after student neighbourhoods (ULB, VUB).
• Uccle, Watermael-Boitsfort: upmarket residential shared housing.
• Schaerbeek, Anderlecht, Molenbeek: affordable shared housing on the rise.
• City of Brussels: mix of expats and young professionals.

Shared housing rents vary: EUR 450-600/month per room on the outskirts, EUR 700-1,200/month in the centre.

Lease registration

Lease registration is mandatory within 2 months of signing, free of charge via MyRent (FPS Finance). Without registration, the co-tenants may terminate without notice or compensation.

Every addendum (change of co-tenant, rent revision) must also be registered within 2 months.

Differences Brussels vs Wallonia

For Walloon rules, see shared housing lease Wallonia. For Brussels rent indexation, consult rent indexation Brussels.