About Contracts

If you decide to rent a student room or flat either through Brik or through a private housing agency, it is advisable to take the following into account.

Contracts

Brik and most private owners work with rental contracts of 12 months. Most private housing agencies work with long-term rental contracts of 3-6-9 years, especially for apartments. For student rooms they may exceptionally rent the room for 12 months, but this is the minimum rental period. If you stay for only one semester and you decide to sign a contract for 12 months, you will have to look for a replacement tenant and/or pay a penalty fee if you leave early. Therefore it is very important to read your contract very carefully before signing!

Rent

It is customary to pay the rent for the entire month, even if you arrive later or leave before the month is fully over.

Landlords also charge a deposit, usually the equivalent of two months’ rent, payable in advance along with the rent of the first month. This deposit will be refunded after the end of your contract if your room is clean and in good condition. If there is damage to the room or the room has to be cleaned by the landlord, the deposit will be used for these costs. Therefore it is important to have access to sufficient funds when you arrive.

Sometimes landlords also ask to transfer the deposit and first month rent in advance when you are still abroad. This is done in order to guarantee the reservation of your room. In this way, you are sure that the room will still be available and the landlord has a guarantee that you will show up. Sometimes you can also sign the contract beforehand and it can be sent by e-mail to the landlord, this is also a guarantee for both parties in case you are still abroad.

However, HUB does not recommend to sign a contract for a room without having visited the place unless it is not possible for you to come to Brussels before the start of the academic year.

Bear in mind that the location and size play a very important role in the price of your room. Rooms in the city centre are usually more expensive than rooms that are a bit further away. Sometimes it is cheaper to rent a room outside the centre and take a season ticket for the public transport to your campus.

Fire Insurance

Belgian law obliges everybody to take out furniture insurance. Some landlords may take this responsibility and include this insurance and the cost in the rental contract. Please read your contract carefully and check if there it includes this type of insurance or third party liability. In case this is not included, you will have to take out this insurance by yourself.

Additional tips

• Make sure you have all you need near your student house: laundry, (food) shops, public transportation, etc.
• Compare a few student houses before you make your final decision so you have an idea of the average prices and quality that is offered on the market.
• Take a close look at the general condition of the room and check the fire security, heating installation and safety of the house.
• It is important to know that some areas of Brussels are very lively, especially at night. If you prefer a good night’s rest, it is better to look for accommodation in a more quiet area.