Student housing shortage in Brussels in 2026: Homestays become essential for the start of the academic year

Searching for a student room in Brussels in 2026 is increasingly becoming an uphill battle. Faced with skyrocketing demand and supply that is struggling to keep pace, thousands of young people find themselves in uncertainty as the start of the academic year approaches. At Roomlala, we are closely monitoring these developments in the Belgian property market. Fortunately, one solution that is simultaneously economical, communal, and welcoming is standing out clearly this year: a homestay. We decode a trend that is reshaping the student accommodation landscape in the European capital.

The market reality: Finding a student room in Brussels in 2026 is a challenge

The student housing situation in Belgium has reached a critical point. According to the latest verified data, the country is suffering from an alarming structural shortage, estimated at nearly 70,000 missing student homes for 2026. This supply crisis is hitting major university hubs hard, and Brussels is, sadly, at the forefront of the cities most severely affected by this historic deficit.

See also: Student accommodation in Flanders: Everything you need to know about the student lease for the 2026 academic year, Back to school 2026 in Italy: The benefits of the Canone Concordato for renting out your room and Regulation of short-term rentals: What changes for students in Spain at the start of the 2026 academic year

In communes highly popular with university students, such as Ixelles, Etterbeek, or Auderghem, the pressure on the property market is palpable. Listings for traditional student rooms disappear in a matter of hours, leaving many young people and their parents in growing anxiety as the start of the university year in Belgium approaches. This scarcity inevitably has a direct impact on prices, which have undergone constant inflation in recent years, making access to housing increasingly elitist.

Today, the average rent for a student room in Brussels in 2026 hovers between 600 and 650 euros per month, bills included. This sum represents a colossal portion of a student's budget, if not an insurmountable barrier for families with modest incomes. Faced with this surge in prices, searching for more viable financial alternatives is no longer just a choice, but an absolute necessity to ensure equal opportunity in accessing higher education.

It is in this context of student housing shortage that behaviours are shifting. Young people are moving away from traditional real estate agencies to turn towards collaborative solutions. At Roomlala, we are seeing a spectacular increase in searches for shared housing or accommodation with private individuals, proving that the current crisis is forcing the market to reinvent itself towards more solidarity.

The student homestay: An economical and human alternative

Substantial savings in the face of inflation

The student homestay has established itself today as the most pragmatic response to the surge in Brussels rents. By renting a spare room in a primary residence, students can expect to reduce their housing budget by 20% to 30% compared to a traditional individual student room. Furthermore, bills (water, electricity, internet) are generally included in the rent, thus avoiding unpleasant surprises at the end of the month linked to the energy crisis.

Let’s take a concrete example: Julien, a master’s student at the ULB, was desperately looking for accommodation under 650 euros. By using Roomlala, he found a furnished room with a retired couple in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre for 450 euros per month, all bills included. This saving of 200 euros per month allows him to fund his transport passes and food shopping without having to balance two student jobs.

For hosts, it is also a financial boon. Renting out an unoccupied room generates a significant supplementary income, which is particularly welcome for coping with the rising cost of living or for funding energy renovation work in their home.

The richness of intergenerational cohabitation

Beyond the purely financial aspect, a homestay offers an invaluable human dimension. For many students, especially those leaving the family nest for the first time or international students, arriving in a large city like Brussels can be a source of isolation. Living with a local resident allows for a gentle and reassuring immersion.

A frequent use case on our platform is that of foreign students. Maria, who came from Spain for an Erasmus exchange, chose to stay in a homestay. Her host, a Brussels native passionate about her city, helped her understand the subtleties of waste sorting in Belgium, introduced her to local markets, and even helped her practise her French in her daily life. This social bond is a real added value compared to the loneliness of a small studio.

This solidarity works both ways. Many elderly hosts find in this arrangement a benevolent and comforting presence. Intergenerational cohabitation recreates social ties at the heart of cities, transforming a simple property transaction into a genuine human and supportive adventure.

The legal and practical framework: Everything you need to know about the student lease in Brussels

A flexible and adapted contract: The student lease

In Brussels, renting a room to a student is strictly regulated by a specific and secure system: the "student lease". This contract has been designed to adapt perfectly to the academic rhythm. It is concluded for a maximum duration of 12 months, which ideally corresponds to a school year, and can be easily renewed if both parties wish.

One of the major assets of this lease is its flexibility for the tenant. The law provides that the student can terminate the contract at any time, subject to a notice period of only 2 months. This flexibility is crucial for young people who might change course, go on an internship abroad, or encounter financial difficulties during the year.

However, to benefit from this advantageous scheme, a strict condition applies. For example, if Thomas wishes to sign a student lease for his room in Schaerbeek, he must imperatively provide his host with official proof of academic registration (or proof of a registration application) at the time of signing, or at the latest one month before moving in. Without this document, the contract could be reclassified as a standard primary residence lease.

At Roomlala, we always encourage our users to use contract templates that comply with the Brussels legislation in force in order to protect both the host and the tenant throughout their cohabitation.

Taxation and standards for Brussels hosts

Welcoming a student into your home also involves some administrative and tax responsibilities. Brussels hosts who start renting out furnished rooms should enquire with their local municipal administration regarding the tax on furnished accommodation. It is important to note that, fortunately, duly registered students are generally exempt from the second residence tax, which considerably lightens the tax burden of the operation.

Housing compliance is another non-negotiable point of vigilance. The rented room must strictly comply with Brussels safety, habitability, and health standards (smoke detectors, ventilation, minimum surface area, etc.). We remind you that a healthy room is the foundation of a peaceful cohabitation.

To promote their property and reassure candidates, hosts can apply for the "Student Housing Label" issued by the Brussels-Capital Region. Take the example of Sophie, a host in Jette: by obtaining this free label after an inspection visit from the administration, she was able to certify the quality of her room on her Roomlala listing, thus attracting serious students and reassuring their parents regarding the safety of the premises.

Our tips for long-term rentals in Brussels in complete safety

The intense pressure characterising the long-term rental market in Brussels unfortunately has a perverse effect: the resurgence of online scams. Ill-intentioned individuals take advantage of students' desperation as the start of the academic year approaches to publish fake listings for rooms, often at prices that defy all competition and with photos stolen from the internet.

A classic example of a scam is the fake host who claims to be abroad for professional reasons. They ask the student to pay one or two months' rent as a deposit via an untraceable money transfer, promising to send the keys by post or have a relative show the property. Of course, once the money is paid, the alleged host disappears. It is crucial to remember a golden rule: never pay any deposit before you have visited the premises (physically or via a certified video call) and signed a proper, formal lease.

It is precisely here that using a secure platform like Roomlala makes complete sense. We verify our members' profiles and offer a secure online payment system. The booking amount is held in an escrow account and is only paid to the host 48 hours after the student has successfully moved into the premises. This mechanism completely eliminates the risk of financial fraud linked to fake listings.

Finally, to maximise your chances during your search, prepare a solid and transparent rental application.

• A copy of your ID card
• Your proof of university registration
• A short cover letter explaining your lifestyle
• Any potential financial guarantees (parents as guarantors)