Brussels Housing publishes its first annual report

Inspectors from the Regional Housing Directorate (DIRL) carried out a record 1,480 inspections. This increase over 2022 is due to the increase in the number of inspectors.

192 fines totalling 1,243,099 euros were imposed on landlords for renting out non-compliant accommodation or failing to comply with a rental ban.

The regulations were almost 20 years old and needed updating, so the safety, health and equipment standards have been overhauled: all rental properties must have a letterbox, smoke detectors will be compulsory in all properties from 2025 and new minimum quality standards will come into force from 2026.

2023 was the first full year of provision of five transit housing units designed to provide a maximum of 18 months accommodation for tenants faced with an urgent obligation to move due to the serious state of insalubrity of their home and a rental ban. The occupancy rate for transit accommodation is around 80%, and three households have been able to use this transit period to find suitable accommodation. Four new transit housing units are currently being built and will be ready to welcome new occupants by the end of 2024.

Keeping a building (or part of it) intended for housing unoccupied for more than 12 consecutive months is punishable! The Control Unit of the Rent Allowances and Unoccupied Homes Department (DALLI) carries out inspections of dwellings presumed to be unoccupied. In 2023, the number of investigations rose by 74% to 3,796. This increase can be explained on the one hand by the growth of the investigation team. On the other hand, the investigations carried out were less extensive, as they were primarily aimed at refining a model developed by ULB/VUB to identify dwellings presumed to be unoccupied.

If vacancy is proven and the landlord cannot justify it by legitimate reasons or force majeure, an administrative fine is imposed. In 2023, the total amount of fines imposed rose by 40% to 2,919,000 euros.

The Rent Allowances Unit of the Rent Allowances and Unoccupied Housing Department (DALLI) grants two types of financial assistance to tenants in Brussels: the rent allowance and the rehousing allowance.

Since the new rent allowance came into force on 31 December 2023, a total of 11,733 applications have been granted to households on the waiting list for social housing.

On 31 December 2023, 10,511 files were in the process of being paid. The difference with the number of files granted is due to files suspended or in mutation (for example, due to the administrative processing of a move that took place after the allowance was granted) and to files closed (for example, when the beneficiary has moved into social housing).

Annual indexation of the rent allowance was introduced in 2023. This change necessitated an adjustment to the computer application used to manage rent allowance applications.

The Anti-Discrimination Unit of the Regional Housing Inspectorate (DIRL) handled 53 cases, of which 42 discrimination files were admissible.

The instruments to combat discrimination in the rental market have been strengthened. A standardised application form for renting a property has been drawn up, containing all the legal information and supporting documents that a landlord may request from a prospective tenant. The Anti-Discrimination Unit has also issued a call for discrimination tests to associations working to improve integration through housing (AIL) and associations in the field of performing arts. Candidates must undergo mandatory training. The first test runs are scheduled to begin in 2024.

The Studies and Subsidies Department (DES) awards subsidies to different operators to help them implement their housing initiatives.

A total of 1,802,595.10 euros in subsidies was granted to the municipalities, PCSWs and municipal land registry agencies for the socialisation of rents for a total of 1,385 homes. These subsidies compensate local partners for the loss of income by renting out their homes to Brussels residents under social housing conditions.

In all, a total of 1,791,192 euros in subsidies was granted to the 16 municipalities that signed the housing contract, to finance the municipal referents and thus monitor the execution of the missions set out in each housing contract.

Brussels residents can call 0800 40 400 free of charge for all questions concerning housing in the Brussels-Capital Region.

Staff from the Rent Allowances and Unoccupied Housing Department (DALLI), the Regional Housing Inspectorate (DIRL) and the Housing Information Centre (CIL) answered a total of 29,232 telephone calls, 3% fewer than in 2022 (30,125 calls), and 25,158 emails, 13.85% more than in 2022 (22,097 emails).

The website was visited 246,474 times, 32% more than in 2022 (186,418 visitors). This increase is mainly due to Brussels residents' interest in the new rent indexation rules.

The Opens in new windowFacebook page had 5,000 followers, a reach of 283,500 people and 3,900 interactions with content, and received 17,200 link clicks. The Opens in new windowLinkedIn page had 345,500 impressions, 990 followers and was visited 2,098 times. In 2023, the Communications Unit launched a Opens in new windowpage on Instagram and Opens in new windowon X.

The Department of Housing Legal Affairs (DAJL) was involved in drafting a total of 17 legislative amendments and new legal provisions made necessary by the implementation of certain actions in the Secretary of State for Housing's Emergency Housing Plan. This legal work resulted in the approval of ten decrees, three orders, two draft orders and two draft decrees.

The department collaborated on the reform of eviction regulations. The aim of the reform is to prevent as many evictions as possible by providing better support for tenants and mediation between tenants and landlords. These important measures place prevention at the heart of the new regulations, as eviction deadlines are extended, no evictions are authorised during the winter moratorium (1 November to 15 March), and landlords can apply to the Regional Solidarity Fund for the reimbursement of unpaid occupancy indemnities during the winter moratorium period.

The department also drew up the order on the introduction of a preferential right for tenants of a property put up for sale. The aim of this preferential right is to guarantee Brussels tenants an opportunity to own their current home. The preferential right applies to all principal residence leases with a duration of nine years or more. Tenants must be domiciled at the address of the rental property.

To find out more about the actions, results and projects of Brussels Housing, read the 2023 annual report: