Rental lease in Aalst
Aalst in numbers · 2025-2026
Aalst — city profile
Renting in Aalst: average rent 800 EUR/month, city between Brussels and Ghent, UNESCO carnival, growing market.
The rental market in Aalst in 2026
Aalst is strategically positioned between Brussels and Ghent, 20 minutes by train from each metropolis. This ideal location for commuters fuels sustained rental demand, with an average rent of 800 EUR/month for a 2-bedroom flat (Statbel Q4 2025). The city is seeing price growth of +4.2% year-on-year (Immoweb 2025), driven by the influx of tenants seeking a more affordable alternative to Brussels rents.
With 88,000 inhabitants and a rental rate of 38%, Aalst offers a dynamic and expanding rental market. The median purchase price per m2 (2,250 EUR) remains significantly below Brussels or Ghent, enabling investors to achieve higher gross yields. The Aalst Carnival, inscribed on the UNESCO intangible heritage list, strengthens the city’s profile and attracts young, active residents.
Local specifics to know
- Brussels-Ghent rail axis: Aalst and Erembodegem stations offer direct connections to Brussels-Midi (20 min) and Gent-Sint-Pieters (20 min). This positioning is the primary driver of rental demand.
- Flemish lease decree: the Flemish primary residence lease (Woninghuurdecreet) applies in Aalst — standard 9-year duration, 6 months’ notice for the landlord. Student and furnished leases are also governed by Flemish legislation.
- Median EPC D: a standard level for Flanders, but properties rated A or B let for an average of 10% more and attract more stable tenants. VEA (Vlaams Energie Agentschap) grants partially cover energy renovation works.
- Sustained growth: the +4.2% year-on-year increase places Aalst among the most dynamic Flemish cities in terms of property valuation, driven by Brussels commuter pressure.
Tips for renting in Aalst
Neighbourhood choice in Aalst depends on the target tenant profile. Erembodegem, with its station and E40 proximity, attracts Brussels commuters — a stable profile with above-average income. The Centre (Grote Markt) suits tenants who value urban life and shops, with slightly higher rents. Nieuwerkerken offers a quiet family setting, ideal for long leases with low turnover.
To maximise yield, Aalst landlords should invest in improving the EPC score: rental demand increasingly favours energy-efficient properties, and the rent gap between a D-rated and a B-rated property widens each year. Aalst’s position between two metropolises is a lasting structural advantage: as long as Brussels and Ghent rents remain 30 to 40% higher, commuter demand will continue to feed the Aalst market.
Everything for renting in Aalst
All legal resources for your property in Aalst.
Create your compliant lease in Aalst in 12 minutes
14 days free · no credit card · compliant with flemish region legislation.