Can my landlord raise the rent every year? By how much?
In short
Yes, but only once a year and in line with the health index. The landlord must request it in writing and can backdate it by at most 3 months. In Brussels, and for some older leases, there are limits linked to the energy performance certificate.
Video transcript
Your landlord wants to raise the rent again in the same year. And wants the difference for past months too. It depends: Rent goes up once a year, on the lease anniversary, in line with the health index. It must be asked in writing, going back at most 3 months. The right way: Check the sum: base rent × new index ÷ starting index. If you paid too much, ask for it back. Increase against rules: Penalty: None; Increase: Cut to legal limit; If you disagree: Justice of the peace.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- For written leases, the rent can be indexed (indexering / indexation) once a year, on the anniversary of the start of the lease. If the lease expressly excludes it, there is no indexation.
- The landlord must request the increase in writing and can claim it back for at most 3 months. The new rent is at most: base rent × new health index ÷ starting index (gezondheidsindex / indice santé).
- Flanders: if the lease started before 1 October 2022 and there is no energy performance certificate (EPC) or it is rated D, E or F, different rules apply: the landlord must use a lower calculation (correctiefactor).
- Brussels: for indexation, the lease must be registered and a valid energy certificate (certificat PEB / EPB-certificaat) must have been given to the tenant. For older leases, a correction factor applies to homes with an E, F or G certificate.
- Wallonia: for an increase, the lease must be in writing and registered. The limit linked to the energy certificate only applied from November 2022 to October 2023. If the landlord asks for more than these rules allow, the increase is reduced to the legal maximum.
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- No criminal penalty. An increase that breaks the rules is reduced to the legal maximum. If you have paid too much, you can claim it back; if you cannot agree, the justice of the peace (vrederechter / juge de paix) decides.
Legal basis:Décret bail wallon 15.3.2018, art. 25 §1 + vlaanderen.be – Huurprijsindexatie
What really matters: the indirect consequences
- If the landlord forgets to ask in writing, they cannot claim the increase for more than the last 3 months
Legal basis:Woninghuurdecreet 9.11.2018, art. 34 §1
- If the tenant does not pay the indexed rent, arrears build up, which can lead to the court terminating the lease
Legal basis:Woninghuurdecreet 9.11.2018, art. 40
- Separate rules may apply in the German-speaking Community (East Belgium); check a local source
Legal basis:Décret bail wallon 15.3.2018, art. 91/1, 91/2
What do these terms mean?
- Justice of the peace
- The local court in every canton for everyday disputes such as neighbour conflicts, rent and small debts. It first tries to reconcile the parties.
Why does this rule exist?
Indexation stops the rent from losing value as prices rise. The limits protect tenants from sudden, large increases. The energy certificate rule encourages landlords to insulate their properties.
Where can you go?
- Municipal planning departmentAsk before you start the works (dienst omgeving / service urbanisme)
- Tax office – land register (cadastre)Report renovation works through MyMinfin
- Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.
This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses
Source and reliability
Official source- Source check
- 15 / 15 statements in an official source
- Checked: 13.10.2026
- Last checked
- 13.10.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 15 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
Yazılı sözleşmede yılda bir kez, yıldönümünde endeksleme; açıkça hariç tutulmadıysa
Vlaams Woninghuurdecreet 9.11.2018 (Justel), art. 34 §1; Code bruxellois du Logement (Justel, consolidé) art. 224/2 §1; Décret wallon du 15.3.2018 relatif au bail d'habitation (Justel) art. 26 §1 ve 57 - Found in an official source
Yazılı talep gerekir; geriye dönük en fazla 3 ay
Vlaams Woninghuurdecreet 9.11.2018 (Justel), art. 34 §1; Code bruxellois du Logement (Justel, consolidé) art. 224/2 §1 - Found in an official source
Formül: basishuurprijs x nieuw indexcijfer / aanvangsindexcijfer (gezondheidsindex)
Vlaams Woninghuurdecreet 9.11.2018 (Justel), art. 34 §2 - Found in an official source
Flandre: 1.10.2022 öncesi başlayan sözleşme + EPC yok veya D/E/F -> correctiefactor; daha iyi EPC veya yeni sözleşmeye kadar
vlaanderen.be – Huurprijsindexatie met correctiefactoren - Found in an official source
Brüksel: artış için kayıtlı sözleşme ve kiracıya verilmiş PEB belgesi şart
Code bruxellois du Logement (Justel, consolidé), art. 224/2 §1 al. 2 - Found in an official source
Brüksel: 14.10.2023'ten beri E/F/G için düzeltme katsayısı (14.10.2022 öncesi başlayan sözleşmeler)
be.brussels – Indexation des loyers; Justel art. 224/2 §1/2 - Found in an official source
Valonya: artış için yazılı ve kayıtlı sözleşme gerekir
Décret wallon du 15.3.2018 relatif au bail d'habitation (Justel), art. 57 al. 2 - Found in an official source
Valonya PEB sınırları yalnızca 1.11.2022–31.10.2023 arasında doğan endeksleme hakları için
Décret wallon du 15.3.2018 relatif au bail d'habitation (Justel), art. 26 §1bis-§1quater - Found in an official source
Valonya'da bugün PEB'e bağlı endeksleme sınırı yok
Wallex – Décret du 15 mars 2018 relatif au bail d'habitation (en vigueur du 01/07/24 au ...), art. 26 - Found in an official source
Sınırı aşan sözleşme hükümleri yasal sınıra indirilir
Vlaams Woninghuurdecreet 9.11.2018 (Justel), art. 34 §3; Code bruxellois du Logement (Justel, consolidé) art. 224/2 - Found in an official source
Fazla ödenen kira geri istenebilir
Décret bail wallon 15.3.2018, art. 25 §1 + vlaanderen.be – Huurprijsindexatie - Found in an official source
Almanca konuşulan topluluk için ayrı geçiş kuralları var
Décret bail wallon 15.3.2018, art. 91/1, 91/2 - Found in an official source
Kira anlaşmazlıkları sulh hâkiminin yetkisindedir (ceza yok)
Ger.W. art. 591, 1° - Found in an official source
Endeksleme yazılı istekle ve en fazla 3 ay geriye işler
Woninghuurdecreet 9.11.2018, art. 34 §1 - Found in an official source
Yükümlülüğünü yerine getirmeyen tarafın sözleşmesi feshedilebilir
Woninghuurdecreet 9.11.2018, art. 40
The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.
General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?