Je n'ai pas l'argent pour payer la caution en Flandre. Que puis-je faire ?

Plusieurs options existent : garantie.be se porte garant sans immobiliser les fonds ; le Vlaams Woningfonds propose un prêt sans intérêt jusqu'à 1 800 € sous conditions de revenus ; votre CPAS / OCMW peut avancer la garantie ou émettre une lettre de caution. En Flandre où la garantie peut atteindre 3 mois de loyer, ces alternatives sont particulièrement utiles.

Comment récupérer ma garantie locative à la fin du bail ?

À la fin du bail, le propriétaire doit restituer la garantie dans un délai raisonnable après l'état des lieux de sortie. Il peut prélever les frais de réparation en cas de dommages prouvés imputables au locataire. En cas de désaccord, le juge de paix est compétent.

Le propriétaire peut-il utiliser la caution pendant le bail ?

Non. La garantie locative est bloquée pendant toute la durée du bail. Le propriétaire ne peut y accéder qu'après la fin du contrat et uniquement en cas de dommages prouvés ou de loyers impayés, jamais de manière préventive.

La garantie couvre-t-elle uniquement les dégâts, ou aussi les loyers impayés ?

La garantie locative peut couvrir à la fois les dommages locatifs et les loyers impayés. Le bailleur peut y faire appel pour tout manquement du locataire, dans la limite du montant constitué (3 mois maximum en Flandre).

Combien de temps faut-il pour obtenir une attestation via garantie.be ?

Le dossier se complète en ligne en quelques minutes. L'analyse est réalisée dans les heures qui suivent. Vous recevez votre attestation par e-mail, prête à remettre à votre bailleur, sans déplacement ni immobilisation de 3 mois de loyer.

Rental Guarantees in Flanders: Rules, Amounts, and Solutions

In Flanders, landlords can require up to 3 months’ rent as a rental guarantee—the highest amount among Belgium’s three regions. Learn about your obligations, the assistance available, and how to set up your rental guarantee without tying up that amount.

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Regulations

The Flemish Decree on Leases

Since January 1, 2020, residential lease legislation has been regionalized in Belgium. In Flanders, the Flemish Residential Lease Decree (Vlaamse Woninghuurdecreet) applies to all residential lease agreements.

This decree sets forth, among other things, the procedures for establishing a rental guarantee, the rights and obligations of the landlord and tenant, and the conditions for returning the guarantee at the end of the lease.

Flanders

Maximum amount: 3 months’ rent

The Flemish Decree allows landlords to require a rental guarantee equivalent to 3 months’ rent (excluding utilities). This is the highest legal limit in Belgium—in Brussels and Wallonia, the maximum is 2 months.

Steps

How do you get your rental guarantee in Flanders?

1

Find a Place to Live

You are signing a rental lease or receiving a rental offer. A landlord in Flanders may require up to 3 months’ rent as a rental guarantee.

2

Establish the rental guarantee

Choose your option: a rental guarantee through garantie.be (without tying up capital), a blocked bank account, or a blocked bank account guarantee.

3

Receive the keys

Once you have provided the landlord with the certificate or rental guarantee document, you can sign the inventory report and move in.

Social Assistance

Financial Assistance Available in Flanders

If you cannot afford to provide the rental guarantee yourself, there are several government programs that can help.

Flemish Housing Fund

Flemish Housing Fund

Interest-free loan of up to €1,800, repayable over 2 years. Intended for low-income renters who do not have the funds to provide collateral.

Applicable income requirements—contact the Vlaams Woningfonds in your province for more information.

vlaamswoningfonds.be

CPAS / OCMW

Public Social Services Center

The CPAS in your municipality can provide an advance on the rental guarantee or issue a letter of guarantee accepted by the landlord. The Lokaal Bestuur / OCMW fulfills this role as the local social services agency in Flanders.

Contact the social services department in your Flemish municipality to find out the eligibility requirements.

Find My CPAS

Other forms of assistance

Supplementary Measures

Social nonprofit organizations and provincial funds may also be able to assist, depending on your situation. Some Flemish municipalities have specific local funds to help people access housing.

Your local CPAS is the first point of contact for identifying all available assistance.

Comparison

Why choose garantie.be?

RECOMMENDED

garantie.be

Without tying up 3 months’ worth of capital
100% online, from the comfort of your home
Certificate issued within a few hours
Valid throughout Flanders
In compliance with the Flemish Decree on Leases

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Frozen bank account

Accepted by all lenders
Interest Earned During the Lease Term
Pays 3 months’ rent in cash
Procedures at a branch or online
Funds are unavailable for the duration of the rental

Frequently Asked Questions

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. garantie.be acts as your guarantor so you don’t have to tie up your funds. The Vlaams Woningfonds offers an interest-free loan of up to €1,800, subject to income requirements. Your local CPAS/OCMW can provide the security deposit or issue a letter of guarantee accepted by the landlord. In Flanders, where the security deposit can be as high as three months’ rent, these alternatives are particularly helpful.

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 the security deposit to you 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 from the security deposit, limited to the amount of proven damage only. In the event of a dispute, the justice of the peace has jurisdiction. If you arranged your security deposit through garantie.be, the organization will handle the refund directly.

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 has ended and only in the event of proven damage or unpaid rent. Under no circumstances may the landlord use it as a preventive measure or unilaterally without a court order or the tenant’s consent.

Does the guarantee cover only damage, or does it also cover unpaid rent?

The rental guarantee may cover both rental damages identified during the inventory report and unpaid rent. The landlord may invoke it for any breach by the tenant of their contractual obligations, up to the amount of the guarantee provided (a maximum of 3 months in Flanders).

How long does it take to obtain a warranty 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 submit to your Flemish landlord. No need to travel, and no need to set aside three months’ rent—which is particularly advantageous in Flanders, where the legal limit is higher than elsewhere.

Useful pages on garantie.be

Rental Security Deposits in Belgium — A Complete Guide Compare all rental guarantee options Tenant’s Guide in Belgium Rental Guarantee for Students Rental Guarantee for Expats Rental Guarantee for European Civil Servants

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

Without blocking 3 months’ rent. 100% online. Compliant with the Flemish Decree.

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