Skip to main content
Brussels Capital-Region - Homepage

Reference rent price: how to determine fair rental value

Qu’est-ce que la grille indicative de référence des loyers ? Quelle est son incidence sur la What is the indicative reference rent grid? How does it affect the determination of rent amounts?

About reference rents

The Opens in new windowrent grid is a tool to which the parties can refer, but it does not impose any additional obligation on the landlord. It is based on the internal and external criteria of the property, such its location, condition, living area and the number of rooms. Rents resulting from this grid can be adjusted up or down based on other factors, such as the presence or lack of particular comfort features. 

The reference rent is not binding. Apart from specific regulatory frameworks (such as rentals through social rental agencies, social housing and subsidised housing), the landlord is free to determine the rent on the private market.  

Landlord's obligations

The Opens in new windowreference rent must obligatorily be mentioned in addition to the actual rent in residential leases in the Brussels-Capital Region.

The actual rent is presumed to be excessive when it:

  • exceeds its reference rent by 20%. This presumption can however be overturned if the landlord can justify specific comfort elements in the dwelling or its environment.
  • does not exceed its reference rent by 20% but the dwelling has specific quality defects in the dwelling or its environment.

Attention!

As of May 1st, 2025, Article 224/1 of the Brussels Housing Code comes into effect. 

Landlords are now obligated not to propose an excessive rent. Otherwise, the tenant can request a rent review.

  • For short-term leases (longer than one year): the request can only be introduced from the 3rd month of the lease agreement.
  • For longer-term leases: the request can only be introduced from the 4th month of the lease agreement.
  • Exception: if a judge has already compelled the landlord to revise an excessive rent for the same property, the tenant can request a review at any time. 

In the context of a rent review request, both the landlord and the tenant can refer the matter to the Joint Rental Commission to obtain a non-binding opinion on the fairness of the rent. 

Directly, or in the absence of an agreement between the parties following the conciliation organized by the Joint Rental Commission, the Justice of the Peace can also be seized of the request for revision of the excessive rent. The Justice of the Peace can also request the opinion of the Joint Rental Commission before ruling.

How to consult the reference rent?

To calculate the reference rent for a particular property, landlords and tenants can use the regional tool based on this grid. By answering a few questions about the property's characteristics and location, the reference rent will be provided and can be included in the lease agreement, alongside the actual rent being charged. 

Legal basis

Excessive rent:

Joint Rental Commission:

Rent grid:

Back to top