Shortage of student accommodation in Brussels in 2026: Homestay becomes the go-to solution for the new academic year

Finding a student room in Brussels in 2026 is increasingly becoming a real obstacle course. Faced with skyrocketing demand and a supply that is struggling to keep pace, thousands of young people find themselves in uncertainty as the new academic year approaches. At Roomlala, we are closely monitoring these developments in the Belgian property market. Fortunately, an economical, socially responsible, and welcoming solution stands out clearly this year: renting a homestay room. We decode a trend that is reshaping the student accommodation landscape in the European capital.

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

The situation for student housing 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 the year 2026. This supply crisis is hitting major university hubs hard, and Brussels sadly ranks among the cities most severely affected by this historic deficit.

Read also: Student accommodation in Flanders: Everything you need to know about the student lease for the 2026 academic year, Autumn 2026 in Italy: The benefits of Canone Concordato for renting out your room and Regulation of seasonal rentals: What's changing for students in Spain for the start of the 2026 academic year

In communes that are 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 within hours, leaving many young people and their parents in growing distress as the university start date in Belgium approaches. This scarcity inevitably has a direct impact on prices, which have undergone constant inflation over recent years, making access to housing increasingly elitist.

Today, the average rent for a student room in Brussels in 2026 fluctuates between 600 and 650 euros per month, including utilities. 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 financially viable alternatives is no longer just a choice, but an absolute necessity to ensure equal opportunities for access to higher education.

It is against this backdrop of student housing shortages that behaviours are changing. Young people are moving away from traditional letting agencies to turn to 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 with more solidarity.

Student homestays: The economical and human alternative

Substantial savings against inflation

The student homestay is now establishing itself as the most pragmatic response to the rise in Brussels rents. By renting a spare room within a primary residence, students can hope to reduce their housing budget by 20% to 30% compared to a standard individual student room. Furthermore, utilities (water, electricity, internet) are generally included in the rent, thus avoiding any unpleasant surprises at the end of the month related to the energy crisis.

Take a concrete example: Julien, a master's student at the ULB, was desperately looking for accommodation for less than 650 euros. Through Roomlala, he found a furnished room with a retired couple in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre for 450 euros per month, all charges included. This saving of 200 euros per month allows him to fund his transport passes and grocery shopping without having to balance two student jobs.

For hosts, this is also a financial boon. Renting out an unoccupied room provides a significant additional income, which is particularly welcome for coping with the rising cost of living or for funding energy renovation work on their property.

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 common use case on our platform is that of international students. Maria, who came from Spain for an Erasmus exchange, chose to stay in a homestay. Her host, a local from Brussels passionate about her city, helped her understand the subtleties of recycling in Belgium, showed her local markets, and even helped her practice her French daily. This social connection is a real added value compared to the loneliness of a small studio.

This solidarity works both ways. Many elderly hosts find a caring and reassuring presence in this arrangement. 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: All you need to know about student leases in Brussels

A flexible and adapted contract: The student lease

In Brussels, renting a room to a student is strictly governed by a specific and secure arrangement: the "student lease". This contract has been designed to fit the academic rhythm perfectly. 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 their course, go on an internship abroad, or encounter financial difficulties during the year.

However, to benefit from this advantageous regime, 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 an official proof of academic enrolment (or proof of an enrolment request) 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 current Brussels legislation 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 must enquire with their local municipal administration regarding the tax on furnished accommodation. It is important to note that, fortunately, duly enrolled students are generally exempt from the second residence tax, which significantly lightens the tax burden of the operation.

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

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

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

The high tension that characterises 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 student room listings, often at unbeatable prices and using stolen photos 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 so-called host disappears. It is crucial to remember a golden rule: never pay any deposit before having visited the premises (physically or via a certified video call) and signed a proper, formal lease.

This is precisely where 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 transferred to the host 48 hours after the student has successfully moved in. This mechanism completely eliminates the risk of financial fraud related 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 enrolment
• A short presentation letter explaining your lifestyle
• Any potential financial guarantees (guarantor parents)