Student room and flat share
in Belgium
What exactly does it mean to live in a kot or shared apartment?
In Belgium, a kot refers to student accommodation, generally a furnished room with shared areas (kitchen, bathroom, living room). You can live :
- in an individual kot with bedroom, kitchen and bathroom;
- in a shared kot, where several students share a large apartment;
- in a student residence managed by a university or private owner.
In short, the kot is the typical accommodation for Belgian students: practical, often well-located, and more affordable than a full apartment.
How much does a kot or flat share cost?
| City | Average rent for a kot | Average rent for a shared apartment |
|---|---|---|
| Brussels | 500 – 700 €/month | 450 – 650 €/month |
| Louvain-la-Neuve | 400 – 550 €/month | 350 – 500 €/month |
| Liege | 350 – 500 €/month | 300 – 450 €/month |
| Ghent / Antwerp | 450 – 650 €/month | 400 – 600 €/month |
The rental guarantee for a kot
All landlords require a rental guarantee. This covers any damage or unpaid rent.
Possible options :
- Account blocked in a Belgian bank to pay 2 or 3 months’ rent.
- Reimbursable bank guarantee paid to the lessor, which the lessee reimburses gradually.
- Rental guarantee via Garantie.be, which acts as a guarantor for you without blocking any money.
Student tip: the no-locked-deposit solution is often the most practical: fast, 100% digital and without locking in funds.
Complete the form to obtain an online rental guarantee for a kot or flat-share in just a few hours. No money is tied up, complies with Belgian law and is accepted by all landlords.
Lease contract for a kot or shared apartment
In Belgium, most students sign a student lease, often for 9 to 12 months. The lease may be individual or in the name of all the housemates (joint lease).
Advice before signing the lease:
- Be sure to read the kot lease contract carefully: it must specify the duration, rent, charges and warranty.
- Carry out an initial wohnungsübergabeprotokoll with the landlord.
- Ask for a copy signed by both parties.
If you’re sharing a flat, you need to make sure you know how responsibilities are shared: does each flatmate have his or her own lease, or is it a collective lease? This rule changes everything in the event of early departure or damage to the property.
Useful template to download: Free student lease template
Charges in a kot or shared apartment
Charges depend on the type of accommodation:
- In an individual kot, the tenant often pays separately for water, gas and electricity.
- In a shared kot, they are often included in the rent, especially if the kitchen and bathroom are shared.
- Some leases provide for a flat-rate fee, while others require an actual breakdown once a year.
What you should always check:
- if internet is included,
- if the heating is collective,
- and whether cleaning of common areas is included in the charges.
