Caps by region
| Region | Maximum | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Wallonia | 2 months’ rent, whatever the form | 1 June 2023 |
| Brussels | 2 months’ rent, whatever the form | Leases signed or renewed since 1 November 2024 |
| Flanders | 3 months’ rent, whatever the form | Leases signed since 1 January 2019 |
These are maximums based on rent excluding charges: the landlord may ask for less, never more. They apply to main-residence leases (including short-term ones) and, in Wallonia and Brussels, to student leases. For other leases (a second home, for example), the amount is free.
Accepted forms
- Blocked account in the tenant’s name: the most common form. Neither party can access it alone, and interest goes to the tenant.
- Bank guarantee, which the tenant repays to the bank over time.
- Guarantee via the CPAS (social welfare centre), for people who meet its conditions.
In Brussels, the list of accepted forms is slightly wider, but the two-month cap applies to all of them.
Help to fund the deposit
- Wallonia: an interest-free loan covers up to two months’ rent for a main-residence or flat-share lease, repayable over up to 36 months.
- Brussels: the Brussels-Capital Region Housing Fund offers help with rental deposits.
- Flanders: the Vlaams Woningfonds grants an interest-free loan (huurwaarborglening).
Getting the deposit back
At the end of the lease, the check-out inventory is compared with the check-in one. If the home is returned in good condition and everything is paid, the deposit is released with both parties’ agreement or by decision of the justice of the peace. In Brussels, the landlord must release it within two months of the keys being returned, or pay penalties.
Key points
- Wallonia and Brussels: 2 months’ rent maximum.
- Flanders: 3 months’ rent maximum.
- Each region offers help to fund the deposit.
Sources
This guide provides general information, up to date on the date shown. It does not replace advice from a notary, a lawyer or the relevant authority. Immo4Now is an information website, not an estate agency.