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Can I end my lease early? Can my landlord make me move out?

In short

Yes, a tenant can always leave by giving 3 months' notice. If you leave in the first few years, you may have to pay compensation. The landlord can only end the lease on grounds set by law and with a long notice period.

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This rule in 65 seconds
Video transcript

You've found a job in another city and are moving. Your nine-year lease has only just started. It depends: A tenant can always leave with 3 months' notice. In the first 3 years you pay 3, 2 or 1 month's rent as compensation. The right way: Give notice 3 months in advance. The landlord can't throw you out themselves; the justice of the peace decides on eviction. If the landlord ends it: To live there themselves: 6 months' notice; Without a reason: 9 or 6 months' rent; Didn't move in: 18 months' rent.

What is not allowed, what is required?

  • A standard lease is deemed to be a 9-year lease. The tenant can always leave by giving 3 months' notice. If you leave during the first 3 years, you pay compensation of 3, 2 or 1 months' rent.
  • The landlord can end a 9-year lease if they or a relative are going to live there (6 months' notice), for major renovation work, or at the end of each three-year period. If they end it without giving a reason, they pay 9 or 6 months' rent.
  • A short-term lease lasts at most 3 years. The tenant can leave early by giving 3 months' notice. Compensation: in Flanders 1,5, 1 or 0,5 months' rent depending on the year; in Brussels and Wallonia 1 month's rent.
  • With a short-term lease, the landlord cannot end it early in Flanders. In Brussels and Wallonia, after the first year, they can end it if they are going to live there themselves, with 3 months' notice and compensation of 1 month's rent.
  • If notice is not given 3 months before a short-term lease ends, or if the tenant stays on without the landlord objecting, the lease is deemed to be a 9-year lease. In Flanders, the notice period starts on the first day of the month after notice is given.

Penalty and indirect consequences

PENALTY NOTICE
Fine / payment
No criminal penalty. If the landlord says they will live there themselves but does not, and cannot prove exceptional circumstances, the tenant in all three regions (Flanders, Brussels, Wallonia) can claim compensation of 18 months' rent.

Legal basis:Woninghuurdecreet 9.11.2018, art. 17 §2 + Décret bail 15.3.2018, art. 55 §2ejustice.just.fgov.be

Court / prison
No prison sentence. The landlord cannot evict you themselves; an eviction requires a decision by the justice of the peace (vrederechter / juge de paix).

Legal basis:Bruxelles Logement – Brochure bail + CBL, art. 233/1

What really matters: the indirect consequences

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.

All terms: glossary →

Why does this rule exist?

A tenant's home is the centre of their life. Long notice periods stop families from suddenly becoming homeless. Compensation partly covers the landlord's loss while the home stands empty.

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
19 / 19 statements in an official source
Checked: 02.11.2026
Last checked
23.10.2026
Rules can change
Show the 19 checked statementsopen

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?

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