Action steps

• Decide which criteria are important for you:
  • Location and neighborhood
  • Proximity of facilities: school, public transport, shops …
  • Type of accommodation: an apartment or a house with a garden, furnished or unfurnished
  • Period: a shorter or a longer period
  • Budget
  • Do you want to buy or rent?
• The best way to find a flat or house is to search online platforms (see below) or contact a real estate agency. You will find a list with recognized agencies on http://www.biv.be/de-vastgoedmakelaar/alle-vastgoedmakelaars-vind-je-hier (Dutch or French only).
• It is a common practice to rent short-term or temporary accommodation for a couple of days, weeks or months when you first arrive. It gives you time to explore the options, so you can make a well-informed decision for your permanent accommodation.

Renting a home

• A rental contract is signed between the lessor (usually the owner) and the tenant.
• The payment of a deposit / rental guarantee is required (generally the amount of three months’ rent).
• When you move into the accommodation, an inventory of the fixtures and fittings has to be drawn up. More info in this article.

Buying a home

• The Flemish federation of notaries issued a comprehensive brochure, in English, called "buying property in Belgium for expats" (version from November 2020).
• A provisional sales agreement is signed between the buyer and seller and a fixed deposit is paid. This step is binding.
• After a few months, the final sale takes place: the notarial act is signed and the outstanding amount is paid.  Notary fees and registration fees will also be due at this point.

Attention points

• Once you are the owner of a house, you will have to pay an annual property tax.
• If you rent a house, the lessor is obliged to register the rental contract. The registration gives the contract a fixed date and becomes binding for third parties.
• September and October are peak months for the rental market in Leuven.

Supplier, channels and tools

• www.belgium.be/en/housing/renting_a_home
• www.belgium.be/en/housing/buying_or_selling_a_home
• www.notaris.be/verkopen-kopen-huren-lenen (partly in English)
• On www.huurschatter.be (Dutch only) you can estimate if the rental price is a fair price.
• www.woninghuur.vlaanderen (Dutch only)
• www.immoweb.be
• www.zimmo.be (Dutch only)