What is a renon?
Giving a renon is the Belgian way of saying you are officially notifying the end of a lease. The procedure is governed by strict notice periods depending on the type of lease.
The “renon” is the Belgian term for lease termination. It is a formal letter notifying the end of the rental contract to the other party. The document must be in writing (registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt), state the applicable notice period, and respect the terms of the lease.
The renon applies to all contract types: primary residence lease, short-term lease, student lease, commercial lease, shared housing lease, or non-primary residence lease.
For the general framework: lease termination hub.
Termination by the tenant
Primary residence lease (9 years)
3 months’ notice, with compensation if termination occurs during the first 3 years:
| Timing of notice | Compensation |
|---|---|
| 1st year | 3 months’ rent |
| 2nd year | 2 months’ rent |
| 3rd year | 1 month’s rent |
| After year 3 | No compensation |
To terminate without cost, wait until the end of the 3rd year or negotiate a mutual agreement.
Short-term lease (3 years or less)
3 months’ notice with reduced compensation: 1.5 months (year 1), 1 month (year 2), 0.5 months (year 3).
Student lease and shared housing
A student lease allows flexible termination (usually 2 months’ notice). A shared housing lease: each co-tenant may give individual notice with 3 months’ notice.
Landlord’s notice
The landlord may give notice in three regulated situations:
- For personal occupation (or a close relative): at the end of each triennium with 6 months’ notice. The grounds must be genuine and actually followed through.
- For major works: at the end of each triennium with 6 months’ notice.
- Without grounds: at the end of the 3rd or 6th triennium, with 6 months’ notice and compensation of 9 or 6 months’ rent.
Notice periods: summary table
| Type of termination | Notice | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Tenant — 9-year lease | 3 months | 3/2/1 months by year |
| Tenant — short-term | 3 months | 1.5 to 0.5 months |
| Tenant — student | 2 months | Varies by lease |
| Landlord — personal occupation | 6 months | None |
| Landlord — major works | 6 months | None |
| Landlord — without grounds | 6 months | 9 or 6 months’ rent |
| Commercial lease | 6 months | Per contract terms |
Compensation is calculated on the indexed rent in force at the time of notice.
How to send your notice
For the notice to be legally valid:
- Written form: registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.
- Effective date: the notice period starts on the 1st day of the month following receipt of the registered letter.
- Mandatory details: identity of landlord and tenant, property address, lease reference, effective date, grounds (if required).
- Keep proof: copy of the letter, acknowledgement of receipt, and proof of posting.
For templates: lease termination notice.