Since the Decree of 15 March 2018, the Walloon Region has its own housing lease legislation. This decree governs primary residence leases and introduces several particularities:

  • Mandatory EPC certificate: the landlord must provide the EPC certificate before the lease is signed.
  • Rental deposit: 2 months maximum (3 months via bank guarantee).
  • Property inspection: mandatory at entry and exit.
  • Habitability standards: a rental permit is required for small dwellings in certain municipalities.

For all lease templates: lease agreement templates.

Primary residence lease in Wallonia

The Walloon primary residence lease is the most common contract. Default duration of 9 years. The tenant benefits from the protective regime of the Walloon Decree.

Walloon specificities:

  • Mandatory annexes: entry property inspection, EPC certificate.
  • Indexation: health index, written notification required.
  • Termination by landlord: only for legal reasons with 6 months’ notice.
  • Early termination compensation by tenant: 3 months (1st year), 2 months (2nd), 1 month (3rd).

Full guide: primary residence lease in Wallonia.

Commercial lease in Wallonia

The commercial lease remains governed by the federal law of 30 April 1951. Minimum duration of 9 years, renewable 3 times.

In Wallonia, the specificities are:

  • Economic development zones with tax incentives.
  • Certain municipalities apply specific urban planning rules.
  • No rent grid (free market).

For the commercial lease: commercial lease.

Student lease in Wallonia

The Walloon Decree regulates the student lease. Maximum duration of 12 months, renewable. The student can terminate early with 2 months’ notice.

Specificities:

  • Enrolment certificate is mandatory.
  • Simplified early termination: if the student ceases studies or changes institution.
  • Deposit: same rules as the standard lease (2-3 months).
  • Student shared housing: co-living pact recommended.

Shared housing lease in Wallonia

The Walloon Decree recognises shared housing and provides for:

  • Co-living pact: recommended between co-tenants to define internal rules.
  • Joint liability clause: co-tenants are jointly liable for rent.
  • Replacement: a departing co-tenant can be replaced via addendum, with landlord approval.
  • Individual departure: the departing co-tenant remains jointly liable for 6 months after leaving, unless explicitly released.

Full guide: shared housing lease in Wallonia.

Short-term lease in Wallonia

The short-term lease in Wallonia is limited to 3 years maximum (extensions included). Beyond that, automatic conversion to a 9-year lease.

Specificities:

  • Maximum duration: 3 years total.
  • Early termination by tenant: 3 months’ notice at any time.
  • No early termination possible by the landlord.
  • Renewal: one extension possible, without exceeding 3 years total.

Full guide: short-term lease in Wallonia.

Rental deposit in Wallonia

In Wallonia, the rental deposit follows these rules:

  • Individual blocked account: 2 months’ rent maximum, in the tenant’s name.
  • Bank guarantee: 3 months maximum.
  • CPAS/OCMW: intervention possible for low-income tenants.
  • Housing Fund (Fonds du Logement): assistance available for constituting the deposit.

The deposit must be constituted before moving in. No cash payment is permitted.

Lease registration in Wallonia

Registration is mandatory and free for a primary residence lease. The landlord must register within 2 months of signing.

Procedure: via MyRent on myminfin.be. For all templates: lease agreement templates.

To create a compliant lease in Wallonia: create a lease online.

Frequently asked questions

Standard lease duration?

9 years by default. Short-term possible (max 3 years) if agreed in writing.

Deposit: 2 or 3 months?

2 months on a blocked account. 3 months with bank guarantee.

Does the Walloon Decree apply to all leases?

To primary residence leases since 2018. Commercial leases remain federal.

EPC certificate mandatory?

Yes, the landlord must provide the EPC certificate before signing.

How to register?

Via MyRent on myminfin.be. Free and mandatory within 2 months.