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Rental Guarantees in Brussels: Rules, Amounts, and Solutions

In Brussels, rental guarantees have been regulated by the Brussels Housing Code since January 1, 2018. Set up your rental guarantee in just a few hours, without tying up your savings.

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Regulations

The Brussels Housing Code

Since January 1, 2018, the rules governing residential rental leases have been regionalized in Belgium. In Brussels, the Brussels Housing Code governs residential rental lease agreements, including the conditions for establishing a rental guarantee.

This regionalization means that the rules applicable in Brussels differ from those in effect in the Walloon Region or the Flemish Region. It is therefore essential to have a thorough understanding of the Brussels regulatory framework before signing a lease.

Maximum legal amount in Brussels

The Brussels Housing Code sets the rental guarantee at a maximum of 2 months’ rent, regardless of the type of rental guarantee chosen (organization, escrow account, or bank guarantee).

Process

How to Set Up Your Rental Guarantee?

Setting up your rental guarantee involves three simple steps, from searching for a place to live to receiving the keys.

1

Find a Place to Live

You find a place to live in Brussels-Capital and sign a rental lease. The landlord asks you for a rental guarantee of up to 2 months’ rent.

2

Provide the security

You can create your application on garantie.be in just a few minutes. Your request is reviewed, and you’ll receive a guarantee certificate within a few hours, without having to pay any money up front.

3

Receive the keys

You should give the certificate to your landlord. This fulfills the guarantee requirement, and you can move into your new home in Brussels.

Social Assistance

Assistance Available in Brussels for Rental Guarantees

If you cannot afford to provide the rental guarantee yourself, there are several public assistance programs available in the Brussels Region.

Brussels Housing Fund

The Brussels Region Housing Fund offers an interest-free loan covering up to 100% of the rental guarantee amount. This loan is subject to income requirements. You repay the amount advanced in installments once you have moved into your home.

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BRUGAL

BRUGAL is a Brussels-based solidarity fund that allows low-income tenants to build up their security deposit through monthly payments ranging from €5 to €30. The CPAS may cover these monthly payments for people in extremely precarious situations. It’s a flexible and accessible solution.

CPAS

Your local CPAS office in Brussels can assist in three ways: an advance against a guarantee (the CPAS advances the funds), a letter of guarantee (a commitment to pay in the event of damage), or by providing a bank guarantee. Contact the CPAS office in your municipality.

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Comparison

Why choose garantie.be?

There are several options available to you for setting up your rental guarantee in Brussels. Here are the main differences.

RECOMMENDED

garantie.be

Rental Guarantee Through an Agency — Without Tying Up Your Capital

  • Without tying up your capital—your savings remain available
  • 100% online—from the comfort of your home, in just a few minutes
  • Certificate issued within a few hours
  • Personalized support at every step

Frozen bank account

The traditional solution — ties up your money for the entire term of the lease

  • Accepted by all property owners
  • Capital tied up for an average of 3 to 9 years
  • Requires having savings available at the time the lease is signed
  • Low returns — interest rates near zero in 2024

FAQ

Practical Questions About the Rental Guarantee

I don’t have the money to pay the security deposit. What can I do?
There are several options available in Brussels. garantie.be acts as your guarantor so you don’t have to tie up your capital. The Brussels Housing Fund offers an interest-free loan subject to income requirements. BRUGAL allows you to repay the guarantee in monthly installments ranging from €5 to €30. Finally, the CPAS in your municipality can provide the guarantee in advance or issue a letter of guarantee. There is always a solution tailored to your situation.
How do I get my rental guarantee back at the end of the rental lease?
At the end of the lease, the landlord must return your security deposit within a reasonable time after the inventory report. If the landlord finds damage attributable to the tenant, he or she may deduct the cost of repairs, but only up to the amount of the proven damage. In the event of a dispute, the justice of the peace has jurisdiction. If you arranged your security deposit through garantie.be, the organization is directly involved in the refund process.
Can the landlord use the security deposit during the lease?
No. The rental guarantee is held in escrow for the entire duration of the rental lease. The landlord may access it only after the rental lease ends and only in the event of proven damage or unpaid rent. The landlord is prohibited from using it as a preventive measure or unilaterally without your consent or a decision by the justice of the peace.
Does the guarantee cover only damage, or does it also cover unpaid rent?
The rental guarantee may cover both rental damage identified during the inventory report and unpaid rent. The landlord may make a claim under the guarantee for any breach by the tenant of their contractual obligations, up to the amount of the guarantee.
How long does it take to get a certificate through garantie.be?
You can complete your application online in just a few minutes. Once submitted, it will be reviewed within a few hours. You’ll receive your guarantee certificate by email, ready to forward to your landlord. It’s ideal when you’ve just signed a lease in Brussels and need to provide the security deposit quickly—without having to go anywhere or tie up your savings.

Further Reading

Useful pages on garantie.be

Rental Security Deposits in Belgium — A Complete Guide Rental guarantee in Wallonia Rental Guarantee in Flanders Compare all rental guarantee options Tenant’s Guide in Belgium Rental Guarantee for Students in Brussels Rental Guarantee for Expats in Brussels Rental Guarantee for European Civil Servants Brussels Rental Guarantee – Complete Guide and Online Form

Set up your rental guarantee in Brussels in just a few hours

Without tying up your savings. 100% online. Fast certification recognized by Brussels landlords.

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