Student Housing Agreement (Belgium)
A student room or 'kot' lease drafted for Belgium's three regional housing-lease frameworks, covering academic-year or semester terms, guarantor, deposit and student-specific early exit rights. Suitable where the accommodation is not the student's main residence.
What's included
- Academic-year / semester term with defined start and end dates
- Guarantor / co-signer (parental guarantee) clause
- Deposit compliant with the 2-month cap and blocked-account rule
- House rules, conduct and noise provisions
- Vacation-period occupancy and storage terms
- Student-specific early termination rights (end of studies)
- Rules on sub-letting and joint tenants
- Signature block for student, landlord and guarantor
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🇧🇪 Local law notes — Belgium
Residential leasing is regionalised in Belgium, so the applicable rules depend on where the property sits: Flanders (Vlaams Woninghuurdecreet, student-lease Title 3, in force from 2019), Brussels (Housing Ordinance / Brussels Housing Code, updated 1 November 2024) or Wallonia (Décret relatif au bail d'habitation). Student rooms are treated as non-principal-residence leases with their own term and exit rules. The deposit is capped at two months' rent and the landlord must register the lease with FPS Finance within two months.
Inside the document
1. Parties and Student Status
Identifies the landlord (verhuurder / bailleur) and the tenant, who declares enrolment as a full-time student at a named institution. The parties confirm the accommodation is a student residence and NOT the student's principal place of residence, so the student-lease title of the applicable regional decree governs (Flanders: Title 3 Vlaams Woninghuurdecreet; Brussels: Housing Ordinance student-lease chapter; Wallonia: Décret relatif au bail d'habitation, student provisions).
2. The Room / Kot and Shared Facilities
Describes the private room, studio or kot let to the student, together with any shared kitchen, bathroom, laundry and common areas, and lists furniture and equipment provided. A dated entry inventory (plaatsbeschrijving / état des lieux) must be drawn up jointly and is annexed.
3. Term (Academic Year / Semester)
Sets a fixed term, typically twelve months aligned to the academic year, or a semester. Under the Flemish student-lease rules the standard term is deemed twelve months unless otherwise agreed. The lease does not tacitly renew into a nine-year residential lease.
4. Rent and Charges
States the monthly rent and separately itemises charges (utilities, internet, waste) as either a fixed provision with annual reconciliation or a lump sum, as regional rules require charges to be transparent and, where provisional, justified by actual costs.
5. Security Deposit
The deposit may not exceed two months' rent. For a standard residential deposit it must be placed in a blocked account in the tenant's name or via bank guarantee; note that under the Flemish student-lease regime the deposit may be paid to the landlord's account but never in cash. The deposit, less justified deductions, is refunded within the statutory period after the exit inventory.
6. Guarantor / Co-Signer
A parent or guardian signs as guarantor (borg / caution), jointly liable for rent, charges and damage. The scope and duration of the guarantee are stated, and the guarantor receives a copy of the lease and inventory.
7. House Rules, Conduct and Noise
Sets quiet hours, cleaning duties for shared areas, guest and overnight-visitor limits, no-smoking and safety rules. Repeated serious breaches may justify termination under the general civil-law rules on lessee obligations.
8. Vacation Periods and Presence
Confirms the room remains reserved and paid for during holiday and exam periods within the term, with rules on storing belongings, prolonged absence and access for maintenance on reasonable notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a student 'kot' lease the same as a normal Belgian residential lease?
No. Because a kot is not the student's principal residence, it falls under the dedicated student-lease rules of the relevant region (Flanders' Vlaams Woninghuurdecreet Title 3, the Brussels Housing Ordinance, or Wallonia's Décret bail d'habitation), which set shorter terms and specific exit rights rather than the nine-year regime.
How much deposit can a landlord ask a student in Belgium?
No more than two months' rent. For ordinary residential leases it must sit in a blocked account in the tenant's name or be given as a bank guarantee; under the Flemish student-lease rules it may be paid to the landlord but never in cash.
Can a student leave early if their studies end?
Yes. The regional student-lease rules give students early-termination rights, and typically allow ending the lease without the usual indemnity where the student ceases or completes their studies, provided proper notice and proof are given.