Antoine HORENBEEK
Renting out a property without all the required documents means running the risk of a blocked rental, lost income and administrative sanctions. Too many landlords are still unaware of the essential legal formalities to be complied with in Belgium.
The lease contract, inventory of fixtures, rental guarantee, lease registration, PEB certificate and fire insurance are all mandatory documents for any compliant rental. Unregulated tenancy can lead to critical financial consequences, or even a temporary ban on renting.
You can only rent out a property if it complies with planning permission. This applies both to the initial construction and to any subsequent conversion: addition of an annexe, division into several dwellings, change of use, etc. This document certifies that the property has been authorized by the planning authorities and complies with current local and regional regulations.
If you don't have a valid license, the consequences can be serious: a ban on renting out your vehicle, suspension of the lease, or even a block on selling your vehicle. In this context, having a valid license is much more than a formality; it's an essential condition for avoiding legal and financial complications.
If work has been carried out without a permit, or in contravention of a permit issued, a procedure to regularize urban planning must be initiated. This procedure, which is sometimes technical, requires the submission of a complete file (as-built plans, technical justifications, existing situation report, etc.).
Once the situation has been regularized, the authorities can issue a certificate proving the property's compliance. If the situation is not brought into line, the rental of the property may be considered an infringement, exposing the owner to administrative sanctions, or even a formal ban on occupancy.
Better to anticipate than wait for an injunction.
An up-to-date architectural plan isn't just for show. It's a central tool for any landlord wishing to rent in full compliance with the law. This document must faithfully reflect the actual state of the property: distribution of spaces, openings, staircases, surfaces, sanitary fittings, etc.
Beware: old plans often don't take into account the transformations that have taken place over time... which can lead to a few surprises in the event of an urban planning audit or rental dispute. Having accurate plans gives you a clear vision and security for the future.
Even before the first property is advertised, the ILL certificate must be ready.
Mandatory for all residential lettings, it provides information on the home's thermal performance: insulation, glazing, heating system, ventilation, etc.
Issued by an accredited certifier, it is valid for 10 years. This document is increasingly scrutinized by prospective tenants, especially in Brussels and Wallonia, where the EPB label has a direct impact on rental value.
In short, a good ILL score can become a real competitive advantage.
Antoine HORENBEEK
A non-compliant electrical installation is a risk... and a liability. For any change of occupant, a valid electrical inspection report is required. It must be favorable and comply with the Règlement Général sur les Installations Électriques (RGIE).
This verification is valid for 25 years, provided no changes have been made. In the event of an unfavorable report, compliance is mandatory, and the document must still be communicated to the tenant. Failure to do so can have serious consequences in the event of an incident (fire, personal injury, etc.).
Gas-fired installations require rigorous safety checks. Boilers, water heaters and stoves fuelled by natural or propane gas must have a certificate of conformity issued by an approved body.
This inspection is essential to guarantee safety, but may also be a prerequisite for connection or rental authorization. In Flanders, it is systematically required, whereas in Brussels and Wallonia, it depends on the type of intervention or installation.
Boiler maintenance is not to be neglected: it is compulsory and must be carried out periodically by a certified technician. For gas, every 2 years in Wallonia, every 3 years in Brussels and Flanders.
Oil-fired, every year, whatever the region. A certificate is issued for each service, and should be kept in a safe place. Failure to carry out maintenance can not only put residents at risk, but can also have consequences for compensation in the event of fire or damage.
Even if this document is not required by law, a technical inventory of fixtures is strongly recommended. It's a report describing the precise condition of sensitive building elements: roofing, flooring, woodwork, humidity, etc.
It can be very useful in the event of future regularization, sale or dispute with a tenant who has mentioned hidden defects. Some local authorities may also require it to issue a certificate of rental compliance. In short, documented proof is better than long debate.
In some communes and regions, the attestation de conformité logement (housing conformity certificate) is mandatory for all rentals. It is issued only after inspection by a local or regional official, and certifies compliance with health, habitability and safety standards.
It is generally required for properties rented out as principal residences, kots or shared accommodation. Failure to do so may result in the property not being rented out, sometimes with penalties.
To ensure that your home meets the required criteria, it's a good idea to refer to the standards for renting an apartment in Belgium.
Installing a smoke detector is mandatory throughout Belgium. It must be powered either by a long-life sealed battery, or by the mains, depending on the region. Its presence is verified during inspection visits, and some departments issue a compliance report.
In the event of non-compliance, the property may be considered unfit for rental.
Simple negligence can therefore result in the refusal of a certificate or a temporary ban on letting.
In order to guarantee healthy and dignified housing, legislation imposes strict criteria in terms of minimum living space and equipment. These include ventilation, basic amenities (water, heating, sanitary facilities, etc.) and space per occupant.
This statement is sometimes explicitly requested, particularly for student accommodation or shared tenancies. It must be accurate, up to date and reflect the realities on the ground.
A lease is more than just a signed sheet of paper. It's a legal deed that must strictly comply with the legislation specific to each region: duration, special clauses, indexation, obligations of the parties, etc.
Using an unsuitable or out-of-date model can lead to invalid clauses, or even a requalification of the lease. It is therefore essential to use a model that has been validated by the regional authorities and is regularly updated.
Antoine HORENBEEK
In shared or multi-unit dwellings, the house rules set out clear rules for the use of common areas: hours, cleanliness, security, noise... This document complements the individual lease and avoids many conflicts between flatmates. Signed by all, it becomes enforceable and facilitates good relations on a day-to-day basis. This is the price to pay for conviviality and social peace.
The inventory of fixtures is a precise photograph of the property at the time of the tenant's entry. It must be drawn up in the presence of both parties, appended to the lease and signed. In the event of a dispute or damage on departure, it will serve as an indisputable reference.
Calling in an expert or a surveyor ensures the neutrality of the document. Without such an inventory, the property is presumed to have been received in perfect condition, which is not always in the owner's favor.
The rental guarantee protects you in the event of damage or unpaid rent. It must be legally constituted, in a blocked account in the tenant's name, with a ceiling of two months' rent.
A certificate of deposit or a document from the CPAS (in the case of an advance) must be kept with the lease. Without this guarantee, the landlord remains vulnerable to certain damage or collection procedures.
In Belgium, lease registration is mandatory. It gives the contract a definite date and provides legal protection for both parties.
The lease must be registered with the Sécurité Juridique office within four months of signing. Registration is free of charge for principal residence leases. In the absence of registration, certain clauses become inapplicable, and the lease can be unilaterally terminated by the tenant with a simple notice period.
You can't build a solid rental file in a hurry: without an up-to-date certificate of urban planning conformity or PEB certificate, your profitability can quickly find itself under seal. At Ubex, we turn your grey areas into legal certainty, so that your property remains rentable and your income stable.
Tell us about your property, and we'll tell you where you really stand, and what needs to be done. Make an appointment with one of our experts.
We take care of the rest. That's what we do.
Author : CORNIL Olivier
Contact UBEX today for a free consultation!
Don't let regulatory changes take you by surprise. Anticipate and act with UBEXyour partner in real estate regulation.
Contact Ubex
AddressesUbex
Avenue Louise 523 B1050 Brussels
Chaussée de Marche 482 B5101 Namur
Rue Bois Gotha 98 B4000 Liège
Rue de Bart Haut 6 B6790 Aubange
Beekstraat 6 B9030 Gent
Copyright © SIZE+ 2026. All rights reserved.
