Tenant Guide · Belgium
Housing Standards
in Belgium
Before signing a lease, your future home must meet legal standards for safety, sanitation, and habitability. Find out which standards apply in Wallonia, Brussels, and Flanders—and how to verify them.
Issues
Why should you check the standards before signing?
A substandard dwelling exposes the tenant to three major risks.
Safety Risks
Faulty electrical wiring, an unstable roof, CO₂ heating… Structural defects can put your life at risk.
Substandard housing
Dampness, mold, lack of ventilation, or inadequate heating: substandard housing is harmful to your health and may be prohibited from being rented out.
Lease That May Be Null and Void
If the residence is deemed uninhabitable after you move in, the lease may be terminated—and you will have to find a new place to live as soon as possible.
Legal Criteria
The 5 Criteria for Housing Compliance
These standards are the same across all three regions, although the specific thresholds vary depending on the applicable housing code.
A — Structural Safety of the Building
The roof, floors, load-bearing walls, and stairs must be in good condition. No structural cracks that threaten the stability of the building are permitted. Guardrails and balustrades must be sturdy and meet height requirements.
B — Electrical and Gas Systems
The electrical system must comply with RGIE standards (General Regulations on Electrical Installations). A valid certificate of compliance may be required. Gas systems must be inspected regularly and equipped with a CO detector if they include a boiler.
C — Public Health and Hygiene
The dwelling must be free of abnormal moisture, recurring mold, and water leaks. The hot and cold water lines must function properly. The dwelling must have a bathroom with a shower or bathtub, a toilet with a flush, and a sink with running water.
D — Ventilation and Natural Light
Every living space must have at least one window that opens to the outside. Adequate mechanical or natural ventilation is required in the kitchen, bathroom, and restroom. The minimum floor area varies by region (e.g., 9 m² for a bedroom in Wallonia).
E — Minimum Equipment Requirements
The dwelling must have a functional heating system capable of maintaining an adequate temperature (18–19 °C in living areas). An individual electricity meter and a drinking water connection are required. A smoke detector must be installed in each bedroom and hallway.
Legal Requirements
What the Landlord Must Guarantee
Under Article 2 of the Walloon Housing Decree and the equivalent Brussels and Flemish codes, the landlord is required to provide a dwelling that meets the required standards before the tenant moves in.
Restoring a Rental Unit to Good Condition — The landlord may not rent out a property that requires urgent repairs to bring it up to code, unless the tenant provides written consent and a formal reduction in rent is agreed upon.
Carry out major rental repairs —major repairs (roof, structure, common areas) remain the landlord’s responsibility for the entire duration of the rental lease.
Provide the required documents —energy performance certificate (PEB), electrical inspection report (if available), and an inventory report upon move-in.
⚠️ Warning: If you notice any significant defects after moving in, report them in writing to the landlord within the first few days—otherwise, they could be charged to your rental guarantee before the inventory report.
Practical Method
How can you verify that a home meets compliance standards?
Before the visit
Request the PEB certificate, the electrical inspection report, and the previous tenant’s inventory report. Prepare your property inspection checklist.
During the visit
Test the outlets and light switches, turn on the faucets and open the windows, and check for signs of moisture (stains, odors, mold). Turn on the heat. Take photos of any issues.
After the visit
If you have any doubts, request an inspection from the regional housing authority: Direction du Logement (Wallonia), Bruxelles Logement, or Wonen Vlaanderen.
Tenant Appeals
What should you do if the housing doesn’t meet the standards?
Written notice to the owner
Send a certified letter describing the defects in detail and requesting that they be corrected within a reasonable time frame (15 to 30 days). Keep a copy with a return receipt.
Submission to the Regional Housing Office
If you do not receive a response from the landlord, contact the appropriate authority in your region: Direction du Logement (Wallonia), Bruxelles Logement, or Wonen Vlaanderen. An inspector can visit your home free of charge.
Proceedings in Small Claims Court
If the dwelling is found to be noncompliant and the landlord refuses to take action, the justice of the peace may order the work to be performed under penalty of a fine, reduce the rent, or, in extreme cases, terminate the lease at the landlord’s fault.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Housing Standards
Who can have a home inspected in Belgium?
Any tenant may request an inspection from the appropriate regional housing authority, free of charge. In Wallonia, this is the Direction du Logement; in Brussels, Bruxelles Logement; and in Flanders, Wonen Vlaanderen. The landlord may also hire a certified inspector to obtain a certificate of compliance before renting out the property.
Are housing standards the same throughout Belgium?
The general principles (safety, sanitation, livability) are the same, but the specific thresholds vary by region. Wallonia applies the Walloon Housing Code, Brussels applies its own Brussels Housing Code, and Flanders applies the Vlaamse Wooncode. Minimum floor areas, ventilation requirements, and certification requirements differ from one region to another.
Is the rental guarantee refunded if the apartment is deemed noncompliant?
If the justice of the peace orders the termination of the rental lease at the landlord’s fault due to non-compliance of the dwelling, the rental guarantee must be returned in full to the tenant. In practice, a garantie.be security deposit is released quickly upon request as soon as the legal conditions for refund are met—unlike a sum held in a bank account, which may require the landlord’s consent.
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