What if your landlord terminates the lease?
Can a landlord in Belgium terminate your lease agreement without cause?
No, there are a few conditions for terminating the lease early. It depends on the type of contract and its duration.
9-year contract
The landlord may only terminate the lease in the following cases:
- Personal use: for oneself or for family (children, parents, partner)
- Renovation: Major works that make habitation impossible
- Without reason: Only at certain times + with compensation
These are the cancellation rules for each situation:
Personal use
- Notice period: 6 months
- Must be done (verifiable)
- Abuse = compensation
Renovation
- Notice period: 6 months
- Proof required (permits, plans, quotes)
Without reason
Only at the end of a 3-year period, with compensation:
- Years 1-3 → 9 months' rent
- Years 4-6 → 6 months' rent
- Years 7-9 → 3 months' rent
Temporary contract (≤ 3 years)
Landlord:
- May terminate
- With notice period
- Sometimes with reimbursement (depending on region)
Tenant:
- Can always cancel
- With notice period (usually 3 months)
⚠️ Form requirements
When a landlord terminates a lease, it must be done in a specific way to be legally valid.
Notice of termination must be given in writing, stating the reason and the statutory period, by registered letter, bailiff, or delivery with receipt.
Cancellation via WhatsApp, text message, or verbally is not valid!
If the termination is not legally correct, it is invalid. In that case, the contract will simply continue to run.
ℹ What are your options?
Now that the notice has been officially given, the race against time begins. Fortunately, in Belgium, there are a number of legal instruments to help make the transition to a new home go more smoothly.
Termination
Once the landlord has given notice to terminate the lease, you are entitled to a one-month counter-notice period.
The advantage: You don't have to serve the full 6 months. If you find a new apartment after 2 months, you give notice and you're out a month later (and you stop paying rent).
How: This can also be done via registered mail.
Extension due to exceptional circumstances
Are you really unable to find something in time? In Belgium, you can request an extension due to exceptional circumstances.
- What is it: A one-time extension of the rental period because you are in a difficult situation (e.g., advanced age, illness, pregnancy, etc.).
- The deadline: You must submit a registered letter to your landlord requesting this no later than 3 months before the end date of your lease.
- Justice of the peace: If the landlord refuses, the justice of the peace will decide whether you can stay and for how long.
Temporary housing solutions
If the deadline is approaching and you don't have a permanent place yet, you need to find temporary accommodation.
Imperia Short Stay offers flexible rental solutions for those who are faced with a landlord terminating their lease. Here you can easily book a furnished apartment with 1, 2, or 3 bedrooms for a few weeks or several months. The apartments are equipped with all modern comforts. There is also a spacious parking lot with charging points.
Thanks to their excellent location in Zaventem, our short-stay apartments are easily accessible from Brussels and the surrounding area.