Rental market
Segment of the property market concerning the supply and demand of rental properties.
Full definition
The rental market covers the supply of and demand for homes to rent. According to Statbel's census of 1 January 2021, 64.5% of homes in Belgium are occupied by their owner: 69.8% in Flanders, 63.8% in Wallonia and only 38.1% in Brussels. Renting therefore weighs much more in the capital, where more than six homes out of ten are not occupied by their owner. Each region sets its own rules: a principal residence lease of nine years in principle, regulated indexation, and indicative rent grids in Brussels and Wallonia. Demand remains strong in the large cities. For an investor, knowing the local rental market well is essential to estimate yield and vacancy risk.