Loan for
Rental guarantee
The rental guarantee, also known as a rental deposit, is a sum of money paid by the tenant at the start of the lease to insure the landlord against any unpaid rent or damage to the property. In Belgium, this guarantee can be set up in several ways: via a blocked bank account, a progressive bank guarantee or specific regional aid. The amount and terms vary from region to region, depending on the agreements made between the parties.
To obtain a rental guarantee without blocking any money, simply request a deposit from garantie.be by clicking on online rental guarantee
What is a rental guarantee loan?
A rental guarantee loan is a solution that enables tenants to avoid immediately having to advance the full amount requested by the landlord. This loan is generally granted at zero interest by public or social organizations. Its aim is to help tenants with limited resources to gain easier access to housing without finding themselves financially weakened from the outset of the lease.
In Wallonia, Société Wallonne de Crédit Social (SWCS) has been offering this type of loan since May 2021, making it easier to set up a rental guarantee without any immediate impact on the tenant’s budget.
In Brussels, a similar solution exists in the form of the Fonds du Logement (Housing Fund), which is specifically aimed at low-income households with financial difficulties meeting the required guarantee amount.
How do I obtain a loan for a rental guarantee?
There are several criteria for obtaining a rental guarantee loan. Firstly, the applicant must live in the region concerned and prove that he or she needs financial support to build up the guarantee. In addition, the loan is only available to tenants who do not own their own home, and whose income does not exceed a certain threshold, which is set according to household size and region of residence.
To begin the procedure, the tenant must complete an application file with the appropriate organization. This file generally includes :
- Proof of income (pay slips, benefit certificates, etc.)
- A copy of the lease contract indicating the amount of the rental guarantee
- A certificate proving that the property meets living standards
Once the application has been accepted, the loan amount is paid directly into an escrow account in the tenant’s name.
How much can I borrow?
- The rental guarantee in Wallonia can cover up to 2 months’ rent if the guarantee is set up on a blocked bank account, and up to 3 months’ rent when it takes the form of a progressive bank guarantee.
- In the Brussels Capital Region, a recent reform has set a ceiling of 2 months’ rent for all rental guarantees in Brussels. This limit is intended to ease the financial burden on tenants and prevent abuse.
- The rental guarantee in Flanders can be up to 3 months’ rent, either in the form of a blocked account or a bank guarantee. The exact amount depends on the landlord’s requirements and the type of guarantee chosen by the tenant.
What assistance is available for setting up a rental guarantee?
Various forms of financial assistance are available to help tenants build up their rental guarantee.
The CPAS (Centres Publics d’Action Sociale) play a key role in providing assistance to households in difficulty. Depending on the situation, tenants can obtain :
- Advance payment of the rental guarantee by the CPAS
- A CPAS deposit in favor of the owner, guaranteeing payment of the required sum in case of need.
In Brussels, a special scheme called Fonds BRU-GAL is managed by the Fonds du Logement. This fund enables tenants to benefit from a mutualized rental guarantee, without having to pay the money immediately. However, access to this assistance is subject to strict criteria, particularly with regard to the household’s income level and financial stability.
Releasing the rental guarantee: how to get your money back?
At the end of the lease, the rental guarantee is returned to the tenant, provided that he or she has fulfilled all his or her obligations and that no damage or unpaid rent has occurred.
The procedure for releasing the guarantee generally involves the signing of a closing document by the landlord and tenant. Once this agreement has been signed, the bank or management company releases the funds and returns them to the tenant.
In the event of a dispute, if the owner considers that sums should be withheld, the guarantee remains blocked until an agreement is reached. If no agreement can be reached, the dispute may be referred to the Justice of the Peace, who will decide on the distribution of the funds. To avoid any disputes, we strongly recommend that you draw up a detailed inventory of fixtures on entering and leaving the property.
rental guarantee WITHOUT bank deposit
You are on the garantie.be website. We are a private financial company. We offer a service to obtain a rental guarantee without blocking funds in the bank.
