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REQUIRED All of Belgium Flanders Brussels Wallonia

When I move into a rented home, is an inventory of its condition compulsory, and must the lease be registered?

In short

Yes. A detailed inventory of the property's condition must be drawn up when you move in. The landlord must register the lease and the inventory within 2 months of signing. If the lease is not registered, the tenant gains certain rights.

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This rule in 49 seconds
Video transcript

You are moving into a new home as a tenant. You have signed the contract. Required: A detailed inventory is made at the start. The landlord registers the lease and inventory within 2 months. The right way: Do the inventory together and take photos. Ask the landlord for the registration. Outcome: Penalty: None; Not registered: Landlord loses some rights; No inventory: Deposit disputes harder.

What is not allowed, what is required?

  • When you move in, both parties draw up a detailed inventory of the property's condition (plaatsbeschrijving / état des lieux) together and share the cost. In Flanders and Wallonia, this is done while the home is unoccupied or within the first month.
  • If you cannot agree, the justice of the peace (vrederechter / juge de paix) can appoint an expert. In Flanders, you must apply for this before the end of the first month.
  • The landlord must register the lease and the inventory within 2 months of signing (registratie / enregistrement). Registration is done online via MyRent and is free for a property let purely as a home; in Brussels there is also a regional registration.
  • If the lease is not registered, the tenant can leave without a notice period and without paying compensation. In Wallonia, the tenant must first send the landlord formal notice in writing and wait one month. In Brussels and Wallonia, the landlord cannot ask for a rent increase under an unregistered lease.
  • Either party can also request an inventory when the tenant moves out. In Flanders and Wallonia, it must be drawn up by the time the keys are returned at the latest; in Brussels, within one month after the tenant has left the home at the latest. If there is no inventory at all, in Flanders and Wallonia the tenant is deemed to have received the home in the condition it is in when they move out (proof to the contrary is possible).

Penalty and indirect consequences

PENALTY NOTICE
Fine / payment
No criminal penalty. The landlord pays the costs of late registration. If the lease is not registered, the landlord loses their rights to notice and compensation and, in Brussels and Wallonia, the right to index the rent.

Legal basis:Woninghuurdecreet 9.11.2018, art. 11 + Décret bail 15.3.2018, art. 53

Court / prison
No prison sentence.

Legal basis:Ger.W. art. 591, 1°

What really matters: the indirect consequences

  • Without an inventory, it is harder to prove anything in a dispute about damage and the deposit when you move out

    Legal basis:Woninghuurdecreet 9.11.2018, art. 39 §3

  • A registered lease also protects the tenant against a new owner of the home

    Legal basis:Code bruxellois du Logement, art. 228/2

  • If you do not know whether your lease is registered, ask the landlord; if there is a problem, get free first-line legal advice

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?

The inventory prevents 'this damage was already there' disputes when you move out and makes sure the deposit is returned fairly. Registration gives the lease an official date and protects the tenant.

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
18 / 18 statements in an official source
Checked: 02.11.2026
Last checked
13.10.2026
Rules can change
Show the 18 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?

Related rules

Home and buildingDepends

How many months' rent can a landlord ask for as a deposit? Can I pay it to the landlord directly?

It depends on the region. In Brussels and Wallonia the landlord can ask for at most 2 months' rent, in Flanders at most 3 months' rent. The money is paid into a blocked bank account in your name; do not give it to the landlord directly.Open the rule Home and buildingDepends

Can my landlord raise the rent every year? By how much?

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.Open the rule Home and buildingDepends

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

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.Open the rule