Rent indexation and EPC in Belgium: What’s changing for shared housing in 2026

Hello everyone, Belgian flatmates and landlords! In this month of May 2026, the property market continues to evolve, and the issue of rent remains at the heart of everyone's concerns. While inflation hit historic peaks in recent years, leading to emergency government measures, the situation has now stabilised. However, the rules of the game have definitely changed. At Roomlala, we know that legislation surrounding renting and shared housing can sometimes feel like a real maze. This is particularly true when it comes to crossing two hot topics: annual rent indexation and the famous EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) score. Whether you are a student sharing a large flat in Liège, a young professional in coliving in Brussels, or a landlord offering rooms in Antwerp, you are directly affected by these regulations. In this comprehensive article, we will decode for you the impact of the new energy standards on your rent indexation in 2026. No more total freeze, but be careful: the return to normal is strictly regulated!

Shared housing and rent indexation: the basic rules in 2026

In Belgium, it is essential to remember that shared housing is subject to the classic rules of residential leases. Whether you have signed a single lease with a solidarity clause or individual contracts for each room, the law protects tenants in the same way. Rent indexation is therefore no exception: it is strictly conditioned by the energy quality of the property, represented by the EPC certificate. This document, which has become the cornerstone of the rental market, assesses the energy consumption of your home on a scale ranging from A (very energy-efficient) to G (energy sieve).

To fully understand the situation in 2026, we need to take a step back. Remember: faced with the energy crisis, the government had introduced a temporary freeze on indexation for the most energy-intensive homes between the end of 2022 and the end of 2023. The goal was clear: to protect the purchasing power of tenants who were already suffering the full brunt of the explosion in gas and electricity bills. Today, in 2026, this strict freeze is well and truly over. Indexation is once again authorised for all EPC scores, in all three regions of the country. However, this absolutely does not mean a return to the classic mathematical formula for energy sieves!

Indeed, the legislator has put in place a correction mechanism that remains fully applicable in 2026. Why? Simply to prevent landlords from making up for all the indexation lost during the freeze period in one go. Without this mechanism, a tenant living in a home rated G would have seen their rent explode overnight as soon as the ban was lifted. The law therefore imposes a smoothing process, capping the increase to protect flatmates while allowing landlords to partially follow inflation.

Practical example of use: Let's imagine you are renting a house as a shared home in Namur with an EPC F rating. Your landlord cannot simply take the 2022 rent and apply the total accumulated inflation up to 2026. They must use the corrected formula provided by the region, which neutralises the inflation from the freeze year. At Roomlala, we always encourage hosts to use the official calculators to guarantee fair and legal indexation, thus avoiding any conflict with their tenants.

The impact of the EPC score on indexation according to your region

As Belgium is a federal state, housing competence is regionalised. This means that indexation rules linked to the EPC differ depending on whether your shared housing is located in Brussels, Wallonia, or Flanders. At Roomlala, we detail the specificities of each region for this year 2026.

In Brussels: mandatory registration and correction factor

In the Brussels-Capital Region, the rules are particularly strict to protect urban tenants. For homes with a good EPC (A, B, C, or D), indexation is performed normally at 100%. However, for EPC E, F, and G, a correction factor still applies in 2026. This factor mathematically reduces the authorised indexation percentage, thus penalising landlords who have not invested in the energy renovation of their property.

But that is not all! The Brussels region imposes two conditions sine qua non for a landlord to be able to request indexation. Firstly, the shared housing lease must be registered with the tax office. Secondly, a valid EPC certificate must have been handed over in person (or via proven electronic means) to the tenants before the indexation request. If one of these two conditions is missing, the indexation is simply illegal and the tenant has the right to refuse it.

Practical example of use: You are three students in a flat in Ixelles (EPC F). Your landlord sends you an email to index the rent. Before paying, check two things: did you receive the EPC certificate when signing the lease? Is the lease registered on MyMinfin? If the answer is yes, you can check the calculation via the Brussels region website, which will automatically apply the correction factor for the EPC F. If the lease is not registered, you can kindly remind your landlord that their request is premature.

In Wallonia: a specific calculation method for energy sieves

On the Walloon side, the philosophy is similar but the calculation method differs. For homes with an EPC A, B, or C, indexation is total. For homes rated D, E, F, G, or those that simply do not have an EPC certificate, Wallonia has put in place a specific calculation method. This calculation uses a base rent and a base index adapted to the 2022-2023 period, which de facto cuts out part of the inflation to protect tenants of energy sieves.

It is crucial to note that in Wallonia, the absence of an EPC certificate is heavily penalised. Without this precious asset, the landlord is on the same footing as the worst energy scores (G) and suffers the most disadvantageous calculation method. It is a strong incentive for transparency and renovation of the Walloon housing stock, which is often ageing.

Practical example of use: You are renting a room in a homestay in Mons. The landlord announces an indexation based on the classic formula. You ask for the EPC, which they admit they have not had done. In this case, you are entitled to contest their calculation. In Wallonia, without an EPC, they must use the modified formula which will considerably reduce the amount of the increase. This is a fundamental right of the tenant that we strongly defend at Roomlala.

In Flanders: the EPC certificate at the heart of the indexation system

In Flanders, the energy certificate is called the EPC (Energieprestatiecertificaat). The Flemish Region has also adopted a correction factor system to protect its tenants. Homes with an A+, A, B, or C label benefit from full indexation. However, for labels D, E, F, or in the absence of an EPC certificate, a strict correction factor is required when calculating in 2026.

Flanders distinguishes itself by its desire to quickly eradicate energy-intensive homes. The Flemish government has, moreover, linked indexation to other renovation obligations (the famous renovatieverplichting). Thus, a Flemish landlord has every interest in insulating their shared housing, not only to be able to index their rent but also to respect the global health standards that are becoming stricter year after year.

Practical example of use: You share a townhouse in Ghent (label E). The calculation of your new rent must mandatorily include the Flemish correction factor. If the landlord tries to apply the classic health index without the correction, the amount claimed will be incorrect. You can use the Flemish government's rent calculator to demonstrate the exact amount, to the nearest euro, to them.

Landlords and flatmates: how to apply or verify indexation?

Now that we have clarified the regional rules linked to the EPC, it is time to look at the legal procedure. Because yes, rent indexation obeys very precise formal rules. A procedural error can render the request invalid, much to the relief of tenants and to the great frustration of landlords. At Roomlala, we rely on education so that both parties can find common ground serenely.

The strict legal procedure for landlords

The first golden rule, and not the least: indexation is never automatic! Even if the lease includes an annual indexation clause (which is the case in 99% of contracts), the landlord must mandatorily make a written request to their flatmates. This request can only take place on the anniversary date of the entry into force of the lease, or after that date. It is based on the evolution of the health index (and not the classic consumer price index).

A crucial point of vigilance concerns retroactivity. Belgian law is very clear: a landlord who forgets to request indexation on the anniversary date can catch up later, but with a legal retroactivity limited to a maximum of 3 months preceding the month of the request. Any request dating back more than three months is illegal and should not be paid by the tenant.

Practical example of use: The anniversary date of your shared housing lease is February 1st. Your landlord forgets to index and realises it in May. On May 15th, they send you a letter requesting indexation. They are entitled to claim the supplement for the current month (May) and for the three previous months (April, March, February). On the other hand, if they wake up in September, they will only be able to claim the supplement for September, August, July, and June. The months of February to May will be definitively lost for them.

Essential points of vigilance for tenants

As a tenant or flatmate, you should not blindly accept the new amount calculated by your landlord. To err is human, and calculations integrating EPC correction factors are complex. Your first reflex should be to go to the official rent calculator of the Belgian government (Statbel). This free tool, updated in real-time, integrates all regional specificities and 2026 EPC corrections. You just need to enter the date of your lease, the base rent, the region, and the EPC score to obtain the exact amount to the nearest cent.

Next, always check the administrative documents. As mentioned previously, demand proof of the lease registration (especially in Brussels) and ensure you have received a copy of the full EPC certificate, and not just a verbal mention of its letter. Finally, keep in mind that dialogue should be prioritised. If you notice an error, reply in writing, cordially, by attaching the Statbel simulation.

Practical example of use: Your landlord asks for an increase of 50 euros. You go to Statbel, enter your data (EPC F in Wallonia), and the calculator indicates a legal increase of only 22 euros. You send an email to your landlord: 'Dear landlord, following your indexation request, I have checked the calculation via the official Statbel tool which takes into account the legal correction for our EPC F. The legal amount is 22 euros. You will find the PDF of the calculation attached. I am setting up the standing order for this new amount from this month.' Clear, concise, and irrefutable.

Homestay and shared housing: the Roomlala safety commitment

Property regulation is alive, and it is sometimes difficult to sort through the laws actually in force and political debates. For example, you may have heard of the Walloon PS proposal at the end of 2025 aimed at definitively banning the indexation of EPC F and G properties. Be careful: this was a political debate, and this measure is not applicable in this month of May 2026! It is fundamental to rely on the current texts of the law to avoid useless litigation.

At Roomlala, our mission is to secure homestay renting and shared housing. We know that the relationship between a host and their tenant is based on trust. This is why we make it a point of honour to inform our community about everyone's legal obligations. By using our platform, landlords are encouraged to provide transparent listings, including the EPC score of their property, while tenants benefit from a clear and secure framework for their payments and procedures.

Whether you are offering a vacant room in your house to make ends meet, or looking for an affordable shared home that respects energy standards, Roomlala is by your side. We provide you with contract templates compliant with 2026 laws and we guide you through the twists and turns of indexation. Because a lease that is well understood and respected is the guarantee of a serene and sustainable cohabitation.

Practical example of use: A Brussels-based host registers on Roomlala to rent out two rooms. When creating their listing, our system reminds them of the importance of mentioning their EPC and registering their lease to be able to, when the time comes, index their rent in full legality. For their part, the tenant who books via Roomlala knows that they are entering a home where the rules of the game are announced from the start, protecting them against abusive increases. That is peace of mind, signed Roomlala!

• Always check your EPC: It is the keystone of indexation in 2026.
• Use the Statbel calculator: Never do the calculation by hand; the correction factors are complex.
• Respect the deadlines: Landlords, request indexation in writing on the anniversary date. Tenants, check the 3-month retroactivity rule.
• Registered lease: An absolute obligation, particularly monitored in Brussels.

In summary, the year 2026 marks the return of indexation for all, but under high energy surveillance. Landlords, invest in the insulation of your properties to preserve their profitability. Tenants, know your rights to protect your budget. And do not forget: for homestay or shared housing with complete security, trust the Roomlala community!