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Furnished rentals in Brussels for expats, EU and NATO staff
Expats, EU officials, NATO staff: IMMO-9 Gestion lets and manages your furnished flat or house in Brussels, from the furniture inventory to the lease, with attentive follow-up throughout the tenancy.
A specific market: international tenants
Brussels hosts the European institutions, many diplomatic representations, international organisations and companies, with NATO headquarters close by. Many newcomers look for a home that is ready to live in, fully furnished and equipped, for a few months or a few years. For owners, this is an attractive clientele, but it has clear expectations: responsiveness, communication in English, good-quality equipment and simple procedures.
From our Ixelles office, we support owners of furnished properties in the communes popular with these tenants, such as Ixelles and Etterbeek (pages in French), Uccle and the Woluwe communes. For more on the local market, see our page on property management in Brussels.
Which lease for a furnished property?
Being furnished does not, by itself, change the type of lease. If the tenant makes the property their main residence, the rules of the main-residence lease in the Brussels Housing Code generally apply. Several durations are possible:
- Short-term lease (up to three years): often suited to expat assignments. It can be extended only once, in writing, without exceeding three years in total. If notice is not given in time, it becomes a nine-year lease.
- Nine-year lease: the standard option for longer stays.
Early termination, notice periods and any compensation depend on the duration chosen, and we explain the consequences of each option before signing. Our guide on the short-term lease (in French) gives the details. Very short tourist lets are governed by other regulations and are not covered here.
The inventory: the cornerstone of a furnished let
In a furnished property, a standard check-in report is not enough: you need a detailed inventory of the furniture and equipment, attached to the lease. We draw it up room by room, with photos, describing the condition of each item (bedding, appliances, crockery, lighting, textiles and so on). At check-out, this inventory allows an objective comparison and supports any deduction from the rental deposit.
Preparing the property for international tenants
- Advice on the equipment tenants expect and on presenting the property.
- A rent assessment in line with the Brussels furnished market.
- Listings, viewings (with practical solutions when the candidate is not yet in Belgium) and checks of applicants' files.
- Up-to-date mandatory documents, including the EPC (PEB) certificate.
- A French lease with an informative translation, which helps avoid misunderstandings.
Tax: the movable part of the rent
Letting furnished has a tax consequence worth knowing about: part of the rent corresponds to the hire of the furniture and is treated as movable income, separate from property income. If the lease does not split the rent between the property and the furniture, the tax authorities generally apply a flat-rate split. It is therefore useful to include this breakdown in the lease, in agreement with your adviser. Our guide to the taxation of rental income (in French) explains the principles; for your own situation, an accountant or tax adviser is the right person to ask. Our French page on furnished lets in Brussels covers the same topics.
During the tenancy: a responsive service
Expat tenants expect quick answers. We monitor rent payments, apply indexation where the lease allows it and handle technical requests: diagnosis, choice of contractor and follow-up until the problem is solved. You are kept informed and you approve significant expenses.
At the end of the assignment
Expats sometimes leave earlier than planned. We handle the notice according to the lease, carry out the check-out inventory and re-let the property as quickly as possible. If there is a disagreement about damage or missing items, our status as an accredited mediator lets us look for an amicable solution first. Owners living abroad can read our page for landlords living abroad, or return to the English home page.
Request your free management offer
Would you like to discuss your property? Request your free, no-obligation management offer using the form on this page: we look at your property, your situation and your expectations, then propose a clear arrangement. We get back to you within 24 working hours. You can also call us on +32 81 35 61 19.
Frequently asked questions
Can a furnished property be let on a short-term lease?
Yes. In Brussels, a main-residence lease can be signed for up to three years and extended only once, in writing, within that limit. If notice is not given in time, it becomes a nine-year lease.
Is a furniture inventory really necessary?
It is strongly recommended. A detailed inventory with photos, attached to the lease, is the only way to compare the condition of the furniture objectively at check-out and to justify any deduction from the rental deposit.
How is rent from a furnished property taxed?
Part of the rent is treated as movable income (the hire of the furniture) and the rest as property income. If the lease does not split the rent, the tax authorities apply a flat-rate split. Your accountant can work out the exact impact for you.
Can you let to a candidate who is not yet in Belgium?
Yes, this is common with international tenants. We collect the candidate's file electronically, organise the viewing in the most suitable way and prepare the lease, so the tenant can move in on arrival.