When to use this template

This template letter allows the tenant to formally request the return of the rental deposit from the landlord after the end of the lease. The deposit must be released when the lease has ended and the exit property inventory has revealed no rental damage attributable to the tenant beyond normal wear and tear.

Common situations

  • Normal end of lease: the lease has ended, the exit property inventory was completed without issues, but the deposit has not been returned within a reasonable period
  • Delay in release: several weeks have passed since the end of the lease without the landlord initiating the release procedure with the bank
  • Unreachable landlord: the landlord does not respond to calls, emails or texts regarding the deposit release
  • Disputed retention: the landlord is retaining part of the deposit for reasons you consider unjustified (normal wear and tear, pre-existing damage)
  • Moving abroad: you are leaving Belgium and need to formalise the request before your departure

Under Belgian law, the rental deposit is governed by Article 10 of the law on residential leases and by regional legislation (Brussels ordinance, Walloon decree, Flemish Housing Rental Decree). The landlord may only retain the deposit for proven rental damage or rent and charges arrears. Normal wear and tear of the property does not justify any retention.

See our page on rental deposit release and our document templates.

Required information

The deposit return request must be complete and specify each element to avoid any delay in processing by the bank:

  • Tenant’s identity: surname, first name, new postal address after moving
  • Landlord’s identity: surname, first name or company name, correspondence address
  • Address of rented property: exact location of the vacated property (street, number, floor, municipality)
  • Lease reference: date of signing of the lease, start date and effective end date
  • Deposit amount: sum initially paid, full reference of the individualised blocked account (account number, bank name)
  • Exit property inventory: date of completion, reference to the document, main conclusions (no damage attributed)
  • Confirmation of proper return: the property was returned in good condition, rent and charges have been settled
  • Release request: clear invitation to sign the bank release form or proceed with the transfer
  • Bank details: tenant’s full IBAN for deposit and interest payment

Points to note

If the landlord retained part of the deposit during the exit property inventory, specify precisely the amount you are disputing and the reasons for your disagreement. If rental charges are still being settled, state this in the letter and propose a reasonable provisional retention.

To manage the end of lease efficiently, use the BailBelgium platform.

Template letter

[SURNAME, First name of tenant] [New address of tenant] [Postcode, Municipality]

[SURNAME, First name of landlord] [Address of landlord] [Postcode, Municipality]

[Place], [date]

Subject: Request for return of rental deposit

Registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt

Dear Sir/Madam,

The residential lease for the property located at [full address of the property], concluded on [date of signing of the lease], ended on [end date of the lease].

The exit property inventory was carried out on [date of exit inventory] in the presence of both parties [or: by expert Mr/Ms [name of expert]]. This inspection revealed no rental damage attributable to the tenant beyond normal wear and tear of the property.

All rent and charges have been paid up to the end date of the lease, as evidenced by the attached last account statement. The property was returned in a condition consistent with the entry property inventory dated [date of entry inventory].

Accordingly, in compliance with the legislation on residential leases and the applicable regional provisions, I request that you proceed with the full release of the rental deposit amounting to [amount] euros, held in the individualised blocked account no. [account reference] at [bank name, branch].

To this end, I invite you to sign the joint release form sent by the bank and return it at your earliest convenience. The released amount (capital and interest) should be transferred to my IBAN account [IBAN number].

In the absence of a response from you within fifteen days of receipt of this letter, I shall be obliged to apply to the justice of the peace of the canton of [canton name] to obtain the forced release of the deposit.

Yours faithfully,

[Signature] [SURNAME, First name]

Enclosures:

  • Copy of the exit property inventory dated [date]
  • Copy of the last rent payment statement
  • Copy of the lease (first and last page)

How to send

The rental deposit return request must be formalised to have evidential value:

  • Registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt: preferred sending method to constitute formal evidence of the request and the notification date. The registered letter triggers the 15-day deadline given to the landlord
  • Sending deadline: send the request as soon as the exit property inventory is completed and you have vacated the property. Do not wait more than 2 weeks after the end of the lease
  • Follow-up: if the landlord does not respond within 15 days of receiving the registered letter, send a second registered letter as a formal notice before applying to the justice of the peace
  • Limitation period: the action for deposit return is subject to a 10-year limitation period from the end of the lease (Article 2262bis of the Civil Code), but it is in your interest to act quickly
  • Record keeping: keep all documents related to the end of the lease (property inventory, registered letter receipt, rent receipts) for at least 5 years after the release

Send your registered letter online directly from the BailBelgium platform.

Frequently asked questions