Renting to expats according to legislation

Want to rent your property to expats? Here you will find the conditions, advantages, disadvantages and valuable tips.

What are the landlord’s terms under the law?
What do you need to know before renting to expats?
Benefits of renting to expats
Disadvantages of renting to expats

What are the landlord’s terms under the law?

Your home/residential unit must meet the latest housing quality standards.
You must post the right information when you rent out your property and provide the right documents(EPC).
You must draft your lease that complies with Flemish rental legislation. Think about rules regarding security deposit, notice period, house rules, guidelines about common areas, etc.
You must register your lease.
You need to create and register a place description.
You must report your rental income to the FPS Economy and possibly pay VAT on it, depending on what you are renting out, who you are renting it to, and who is paying the rent (e.g., the expat’s employer).
You have to pay taxes if you rent your apartment to a private individual: the indexed cadastral income increased by 40 percent.
When selecting your tenant, it is forbidden to discriminate (unknowingly).

Note: Always check local regulations with your municipality. In some regions, a certificate of conformity is required for rentals.

What do you need to know before renting to expats?

Rent a fully furnished home. Expats usually move in with very few personal belongings. They are looking for a fully furnished home with furniture, kitchen utensils and even bedding.
Give expats a welcome package. Gift them a package of basic necessities such as toilet paper, cleaning supplies and a few local specialties. That way, you’ll immediately give your relationship with your tenant a good boost.
Provide your tenant with clear and detailed information about your location. Provide a clear and detailed description of the property with photos and floor plans. List local supermarkets, tasty restaurants, public transportation and recreational facilities. Expats coming from far away want to get a good idea of the property and location before making a decision.
Arrange a legally watertight lease. Make sure your lease is clear to both parties and complies with both local laws and international tenant expectations. Provide flexible rental terms (e.g., short term vs. long term, extend vs. shorten contract).
Work with relocation services. Relocation services find housing for their clients (expats) and help them integrate. If you work with them, you will immediately reach the right market.
Consider a professional property manager. Don’t live nearby or don’t have time to manage your property yourself? Then hire a property management company.
Check your potential tenants’ references and finances. Although expats are often reliable tenants, it’s still best to check their references and financial documents.
Ensure smooth communication. Learn English well, especially in the area of renting and leasing. Be available to answer questions and resolve any problems quickly.
Do you have a sufficient investment budget? Then make sure you have modern amenities. A fast and reliable Internet connection is a must for expats, as they occasionally work from “home.” Installations such as a dishwasher, washer, dryer and air conditioning are pluses.

Renting to expats_ tips — Image: Group of expats sitting in a circle

Benefits of renting to expats

Expats usually have a good and stable salary from reputable international companies. In their search for housing, they are sometimes financially supported by their employer.
Expats have a reputation as reliable tenants. They have stable incomes, causing few payment problems.
Expats usually stay in our country for a period of one to three years. This gives you security of having a tenant for that period.
Expats often live at a high standard of living and often maintain their homes relatively well. If problems arise, they resolve them quickly and may seek help through their employer or relocation services.
In larger cities, there is a relatively high demand from expats. More and more companies (even in smaller cities and towns) are hiring international workers due to tightness in the labor market. In other words, the rental market to expats is growing. By offering your property to expats, you reduce potential vacancy of your property.

Disadvantages of renting to expats

Expats sometimes have high expectations regarding the quality and amenities of the property. Do you want to renovate your home or offer additional amenities? Then it will cost you money, time and effort to get this right.
Your lease must comply with international standards. This is obviously complex and the best solution is to hire professional legal assistance. This too will cost you money.
The language and cultural differences between expats and you – as a landlord – sometimes cause misunderstandings about rental agreements and house rules.
Expats sometimes have different habits that are not in line with local (unwritten) norms and values. This potentially leads to nuisance or tension with neighbors.
If the expat returns to his or her home country unexpectedly, this can lead to unexpected vacancy of the property. This can be especially problematic if no new tenant is available.

Renting to expats_ advantages and disadvantages — Image: 3 expats stand behind laptop

Sources: Sustainable Living, Your Lawyer, Flanders

Would you like to cite this article as a source? Then use:

Stiasteny, L. (2024, Nov. 23). Renting to expats according to legislation. Apartment.be. Consulted on (date XX/XX/202X), from https://www.appartement.be/verhuren-aan-expats-volgens-wetgeving/

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