You arrive at the accommodation
Before you move in and start a new adventure in your rental, there are a few things you need to do.
I sign the lease and the inventory of fixtures
The lease, the general conditions of occupancy and the annexes determine the reciprocal rights and obligations between the tenant and the Brussels Housing Fund.
The provisions of the lease must be respected by the signatories and all members of the household.
The inventory of fixtures on entry describes the accommodation when you take possession. It will also serve as a comparison when you check out.
Keep all signed documents carefully and do not hesitate to read them again.
I choose my energy supplier
When you check in, we will give you all the information you need to transfer the individual energy meters (EAN code, meter number and index) to the supplier of your choice.
If you qualify for the social tariff, it is important to tell your supplier.
We take the necessary steps with Vivaqua to transfer the water meter, so you don't have to do anything. We will send them your details together with the meter reading taken at the time of the initial inspection and Vivaqua will then invoice you for your water consumption.
I am changing my address
After moving into your new home, go to the local authority (population department) with your lease to report your change of address.
I contact my insurer
The Brussels Housing Fund has taken out fire insurance with "waiver of recourse against the tenant". You must insure the contents of your home and your liability for damage caused to third parties (neighbours, etc.).
I am preparing my file for re-housing allowance
Rehousing allowances are intended for tenants in Brussels who move to the Brussels region because their home is unfit for habitation, overcrowded or unsuitable. The amount of benefits depends on different criteria.
We provide support to eligible tenants in submitting their application. It is important to submit the required documents within the deadline so that you do not lose your rights.
All information on this subject is available here: https://logement.brussels/primes-et-aides/allocation-de-relogement-locataire.
I block my rental guarantee
The rental guarantee must be constituted at the latest in the month following the date of signature of the lease.
The rental guarantee amount is equal to 2 months' rent without charges. This deposit must be placed in a blocked account, opened in your name in the banking institution of your choice, or with the Caisse des dépôts et consignations.
There are several possibilities for setting up the rental guarantee:
- You have the money and put it into a rental guarantee account
- You don't have the money
- The Brussels Housing Fund can provide you with assistance in setting up a rental guarantee by means of a loan or affiliation to the BRU-GAL fund
- A rental guarantee resulting from a standard contract between the PCSW (Public Centre for Social Welfare) and a financial institution: The PCSW will apply to the financial institution so that your rental guarantee can be established. The rental guarantee will be returned to you at the end of the lease. Any damage to the accommodation will be deducted based on the inventory of fixtures on departure.
You occupy the house
How is the rent set?
Your rent is calculated according to your income and any family members you may have to support. This rent is between a minimum and maximum amount to be paid for the accommodation. The Fund's intervention is subsidiary to any other aid you may receive and which would reduce the contractual rent.
The rent is indexed annually. Every two years, we re-evaluate your rent on the basis of an updated family and financial situation. To do this, we invite you to send us all the relevant documents and draw your attention to the fact that any intervention by the Fund in the rent can only be granted if we are in possession of all the documents requested.
What are the payment terms?
Your rent and service charges are paid in advance between the 1st and 5th day of the month. Do not forget to mention the structured communication. This allows us to correctly charge your payments to your tenant account and thus avoid reminder fees.
We strongly advise you to set up a standing order for greater convenience.
What to do in case of temporary payment difficulties?
Don't wait and contact us to agree on a solution adapted to your situation: alhh@fonds.brussels
How to apply for a transfer?
If the accommodation is no longer suitable for your family composition or the health condition of a member of the household, you have the possibility to request a transfer to suitable accommodation. We invite you to fill in the "Request for transfer" form and send it back to us by e-mail on alhh@fonds.brussels, by post or to drop it in the Fund's mailbox.
Our social service will contact you to analyse your request.
What should I do if my situation changes?
Any change in your family and/or financial situation must be reported to us immediately in writing. It is important to inform us promptly as any change may affect the rent, the suitability of the accommodation and the eligibility for rental assistance. We invite you to inform us by e-mail: alhh@fonds.brussels.
You leave the accommodation
How to end the lease contract?
The tenant may at any time terminate the lease in writing by giving three months' notice, commencing on the first day of the month following the month in which notice is given.
The Fund also has the option of ending the contract with six months' notice, in accordance with the provisions laid down and in particular:
- In the event of non-compliance with the conditions for eligibility for rental assistance from the Fund
- In the event of two refusals to transfer
- In case of non-compliance with contractual obligations
- If major renovations are required
How does the inventory of fixtures take place?
Following receipt or notification of a notice of termination, we will promptly arrange for you to visit your property to advise you on how to avoid any possible charges for damage to the property when you leave.
On the day of the inventory of fixtures, your accommodation must be clean and free of all furniture. You must also return all the keys to the accommodation.
How does the end-of-tenancy settlement work?
After your departure, a final statement will be sent to you. Please remember to give us your new address when you check out so that we can send the documents to the right address.
The rental guarantee will be returned to you at a later date, after deduction of the amount of any rental damage.
Have you ever thought of becoming a homeowner?
Why not you? 7 out of 10 Brussels residents are eligible for a mortgage loan from the Fund!
FAQ
You are contractually obliged to provide us with proof of annual maintenance of your boiler and chimney sweeping.
The signing of the lease takes place in the morning. The inventory of fixtures and the handover of the keys take place in the afternoon.
Yes, you can bring a support person or an interpreter.
There are several possibilities for setting up the rental guarantee:
- You have the money and put it into a rental guarantee account
- You don't have the money
- The Brussels Housing Fund can provide you with assistance in setting up a rental guarantee by means of a loan or affiliation to the BRU-GAL fund
- A rental guarantee resulting from a standard contract between the PCSW (Public Centre for Social Welfare) and a financial institution: The PCSW will apply to the financial institution so that your rental guarantee can be established.
No, the use of a lift depends on the building.
Contact your municipality of residence and/or the parking department 48 hours in advance.
Painting is allowed, but in light colours. Any modification of the accommodation must be requested in writing and will be analysed by our services.
The transfer documents, meter numbers, EANs and indexes are communicated at the time of the inventory of fixtures.
Please inform us in writing within one month of arrival in the accommodation. Provide a detailed description and photos.
The Fund is not competent to arbitrate disputes between neighbours. However, we can help you to reach an amicable agreement or refer you to local mediation.
It is important that you notify us of any changes in your situation in writing as this may affect your rent, housing adequacy and access to rental assistance. For cohabitation, you must seek permission from the Fund.
It is important that you notify us of any changes in your circumstances in writing as these may affect your rent, housing suitability and access to rental assistance.
The lease ends automatically on the death of the last or only signatory of the lease. The other members of the household will not be entitled to remain in the accommodation. However, we can grant a delay to leave the accommodation.
Your rent may increase due to annual indexation or a change in your family and financial situation that affects the calculation of the rent.
Your rent may decrease due to a change in your family and financial situation that affects the calculation of the rent.
If your financial situation changes, you should inform us as soon as possible. If your income exceeds our rates, you are no longer eligible to rent a property from the Fund. Therefore, you must give notice 6 months before the end of the 9-year lease or at the end of the following three- year period. Our services can help you find other alternatives to renting, such as buying a property.
The term of the lease is usually 9 years.
The period of notice in case of renunciation by the tenant is 3 months.
Yes, but your application will be subject to the assessment of the Fund.
Yes, with a notice period of 6 months. Under what conditions? If the tenant no longer meets the conditions for access to rental assistance (exceeding the scales, owner of a property, 2nd refusal of transfer, etc.). The Fund can also terminate the lease for non-compliance with contractual obligations.
The Brussels Housing Fund has taken out fire insurance with "waiver of recourse against the tenant". You must insure the contents of your home and your liability for damage caused to third parties (neighbours, etc.).
Do not wait and contact us to agree on a solution adapted to your situation (payment plan and social guidance).
Report problems as soon as possible using the online form below, by telephone on 02/504.32.11 or by e-mail to alhh@fonds.brussels.
Notify your Fund contact person who will contact the tenants in the building and arrange for their removal for a fee.
Call the police and give us the report so that we can proceed with the repairs.
Notify the emergency services (112) to prevent the spread of the disaster. Then notify the Fund. If you have insurance, you should inform your insurer so that their experts can assess the damage.
Report the problem to your contact person. If the cleaning is done by the tenants, there will be a reminder of the general conditions of occupation. If the cleaning is done by a company, we will contact them to remedy the problem as soon as possible.
In order to proceed with the rapid release of your rental guarantee, it is imperative that you send us the necessary documents as soon as possible.
Yes, a technical inspection is scheduled when you move in, or annually as per the lease contract to check the good state of maintenance of the property. Other visits may be required for technical reasons.
The service charge statement is the annual distribution of the building's costs to each tenant. The total annual bill includes the common charges (common contractual costs) as well as the private charges (individual consumption). The provisions are deducted from the total costs and are adjusted according to individual consumption.
The reductions in the property tax are granted to households with at least two children residing in the property entitling them to family allowances. Households in which a resident member is recognised as disabled or severely war-disabled may also benefit.
Yes, subject to prior approval by the Fund.
No, the Fund does not sell rented accommodation. However, it is possible to buy with the Fund.