Student accommodation EPC 2026: Everything you need to know about the new rental rules in Belgium

The energy transition is accelerating in Belgium, and the property market is no exception. As the new academic year approaches, one question is on the lips of many landlords and tenants: what is the real impact of the 2026 student kot EPC on current and future leases? Between the end of transitional measures in Brussels, the tightening of rental permits in Wallonia, and specific rules in Flanders, it can sometimes be difficult to find your way. At Roomlala, we know that legal jargon and administrative standards can be stressful. That is why we have decided to decipher these regulatory updates for you. Our goal? To reassure you and give you all the keys to rent out or find a student room with complete peace of mind and in perfect compliance with the law.

Understanding the 2026 student kot EPC obligation in Belgium

The Energy Performance of Buildings (EPC) certificate has become the essential compass of the Belgian rental market. In 2026, the situation is clear: holding a valid EPC certificate is now an absolute requirement in all three regions of the country to be able to rent out a student kot. This document, which evaluates the energy consumption of your property on a scale ranging from A (very energy-efficient) to G (energy sieve), is no longer a simple administrative formality. It directly determines your rights as a host, particularly regarding the setting of rent, and guarantees the tenant total transparency regarding their future energy bills.

Read also: Housing crisis: Renting a room to an apprentice, the solidarity-based solution for 2026 in French-speaking Switzerland, Shared housing in Wallonia 2026: Domiciliation and Cohabitant Status and LMNP reform and 2026 EPC rules: Why homestays are becoming the safe haven for hosts

However, there is a major subtlety that we at Roomlala would like to highlight regarding the rules for renting a student room. The regulations differ according to the layout of your property. In the context of a standard shared house or a room rented as a homestay (where living spaces like the kitchen and bathroom are shared), a single overall EPC certificate for the entire property is sufficient. This is excellent news that simplifies the process for many hosts in our community.

On the other hand, the situation changes completely if your building is divided into individual, independent kots. If each student has their own exclusive lease for a distinct living unit, the 2026 law requires that each kot have its own EPC certificate.

• Practical case: Imagine you own a large house in Liège. If you sign a single shared housing lease with four students, one EPC is sufficient. But if you have split this house into four independent studios with private kitchenettes, you will need to hire a certifier to obtain four separate EPCs before publishing your listings.

Finally, be extremely vigilant when publishing your listings. In Brussels, for example, the absence of mention of the EPC class in a property listing is now tracked by automated systems. Offenders risk hefty administrative fines, ranging from 200 to 1000 euros per non-compliant listing. On Roomlala, we support you by systematically reminding you to include this crucial information when creating your host profile.

Rent indexation in Belgium: What changes in 2026 depending on your region

One of the most direct impacts of the energy score concerns rent indexation in Belgium. For several years, regional governments have frozen or limited rent indexation for housing considered to be energy sieves (often EPC E, F, and G) to protect the purchasing power of tenants facing the energy crisis. In 2026, these mechanisms are evolving, and each region is adopting its own strategy.

Brussels: End of restrictions, but EPC required

In the capital, a key date to remember: 31 May 2026 marked the end of the transitional mechanism that limited the indexation of energy sieves. Since this date, full and complete indexation of rent is once again authorised for all housing. However, this authorisation is subject to a strict and non-negotiable condition: the landlord must imperatively provide a valid EPC certificate to their student tenant.

Concrete example: A landlord renting student housing in Brussels (in Ixelles, for example) with a class F EPC could not index their rent at 100% in 2024. For the start of the academic year in September 2026, they can again apply the full legal indexation, provided they have had the EPC carried out and have given a copy to their tenant. Without this document, any indexation is illegal and can be contested by the student.

Wallonia and Flanders: Contrasting approaches

In Wallonia, the logic is similar to that of Brussels. Full indexation is authorised, but the legislature has conditioned this practice on energy transparency. The EPC must be valid and communicated. However, Wallonia puts more emphasis on long-term renovation obligations, as we will see later.

Flanders, for its part, has opted for a more punitive approach towards energy-hungry housing. Unlike Brussels and Wallonia, the Flemish region maintains a strict correction factor in 2026 for the indexation of rents for properties showing an EPC D, E, or F. If you rent a kot in Leuven with a poor energy score, you will only be able to apply a partial percentage of the annual indexation. This measure aims to strongly encourage Flemish landlords to undertake insulation work (roofing, glazing) so as not to see the profitability of their investment erode in the face of inflation.

Rules for renting a student room: Focus on health standards and permits

Beyond indexation, the year 2026 marks a turning point in the very definition of what is decent and healthy housing for students. Regional authorities have taken advantage of the focus on the EPC to link energy performance to the overall health of the kots.

The "Student Housing Label" in Brussels

Since 1 January 2026, new regional health standards have come into force in the Brussels-Capital Region. One of the great innovations is the creation of the "Student Housing Label". This label, valid for a period of 5 years, is a true guarantee of quality and safety for young people and their parents. To obtain it, the housing must meet strict criteria for safety (fire, gas, electricity) and comfort.

Above all, the EPC certificate is a key and essential part of the file for obtaining this famous label. A kot that obtains this label will be rented out much more easily and will immediately reassure the student community. At Roomlala, we strongly encourage our Brussels hosts to start the process of obtaining this label, as it highlights the care taken with their property.

The strengthened rental permit in Wallonia

In Wallonia, the rental of small collective housing or kots has long been subject to obtaining a "rental permit". In 2026, the revision of the Walloon Code of Sustainable Housing has considerably tightened the conditions for granting this permit. Regional inspectors are now strengthening their checks on energy performance.

Use case: If you are the owner of a building of kots in Namur and your rental permit expires in 2026, renewal will no longer be a simple formality. You will have to prove, with an EPC as support, that the heating installations are compliant, that the ventilation is adequate, and that minimum insulation is respected. A poor EPC score could lead to requirements for compliance work before the new permit is issued, thus temporarily blocking the rental.

Hosts and tenants: Our tips for a serene 2026 academic year

Faced with this avalanche of new regulations, it is normal to feel a little lost. However, with a little anticipation, these new EPC rules constitute a wonderful opportunity to clean up the market and improve the comfort of all. Here are Roomlala's tips to navigate these regulatory waters serenely.

Anticipate energy renovation obligations

For landlords, burying one's head in the sand is no longer an option. Renovation obligations are tightening everywhere. In Wallonia, for example, a new rule from 2026 requires new buyers of class E or F housing to carry out work to reach at least label D within a set period. Even if you have been an owner for a long time, anticipating this work is strategic.

• Do an audit: Before starting major work, have a complete energy audit carried out. Sometimes, simply replacing an old boiler or insulating the attic is enough to make a jump of two classes on your EPC.
• Find out about grants: The three Belgian regions offer renovation grants and zero-interest loans to help you finance this energy improvement work.
• Add value to your property: A good EPC (A, B, or C) is now a strong marketing argument. It justifies a fair rent and attracts tenants concerned about their total budget (rent + charges).

Safety and trust with Roomlala

For student tenants, the main piece of advice is simple: demand the EPC before signing anything! An attractive rent for a class G kot could turn into a financial pit once winter arrives and the heating bills arrive.

At Roomlala, we make it a point of honour to secure your processes. Our platform is designed to promote transparency. By encouraging our hosts to include their EPC class and by verifying the profiles of our users, we create an ecosystem of trust. You can communicate via our secure messaging system, ask all your questions about insulation or the heating system, and book your student room online with protected payments. Whether you are in Brussels, Liège, Namur, or Ghent, the new rules of 2026 are there to protect you, and Roomlala is here to support you at every stage of your rental.