Rental lease in Ghent
Ghent in numbers · 2025-2026
Ghent — city profile
Renting in Ghent: average rent 920 EUR/month, 2nd city of Flanders, UGent university hub, dynamic student market.
The Ghent rental market in 2026
Ghent is the second-largest city in Flanders with 265,000 inhabitants and a rental rate of 52%, the highest in the region after Leuven. The market is driven by two engines: UGent (47,000 students) dominating the student room and small flat segment, and the UNESCO historic centre (Graslei, Patershol) attracting expatriates and young professionals.
With 8,420 registered leases in 2024, Ghent is the most active rental market in Flanders by volume. The median price per m2 (3,200 EUR) exceeds that of Antwerp, reflecting an older housing stock and a compact city centre under strong land pressure. The Flemish Woninghuurdecreet applies in full, with a mandatory conformiteitsattest.
Local specifics to know
- Dominant student market: 47,000 UGent students generate massive demand for rooms and studios, with a marked annual cycle (strong demand September-October, vacancy July-August)
- Ledeberg gentrification: this working-class neighbourhood is undergoing rapid transformation with +12% price growth year-on-year, attracting young professionals and investors
- UNESCO historic centre: properties within the listed perimeter have specific renovation constraints (heritage permits), affecting the EPC improvement budget
- Advanced cycling policy: Ghent is Belgium’s most cycle-friendly city, which influences tenant selection criteria (bike storage, cycle path proximity)
Tips for renting in Ghent
The student segment remains the most profitable by volume in Ghent, but it demands active management: annual turnover, summer refurbishment, and the risk of vacancy during the summer months. Landlords targeting this segment should favour properties near Gent-Sint-Pieters station or the Sterre campus, and opt for a compliant Flemish student lease.
For a longer-term wealth-building investment, Gentbrugge offers an attractive position: prices per m2 25% below the city centre, good tram service (line 1) and a stable family profile with long-term leases. Gross yield there reaches 4.5%, with a median vacancy of 3.1%. In all cases, the conformiteitsattest must be obtained before letting and appended to the lease contract.
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