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    Furnishing a new home together

    NOTACARE · ON YOUR OWN FEET

    Your first own place

    Read more ↓

    To begin with

    Receiving a key is one moment. Starting well takes a few clear steps.

    "Decide in advance which price you will not pay, for example your dignity, health or peace of mind."
    Paul Wellens
    On this page
    01

    Before you sign: look beyond the rent price

    Read the duration, termination provisions, costs, deposit and agreements about repairs. Ask which costs are fixed and which will be settled later. Check the condition of the property and the EPC. For Flemish main residence rentals under the Housing Rental Decree the deposit may amount to a maximum of three months' rent. Student rooms and other regions have their own rules.

    Can I simply transfer my deposit to the landlord?

    Choose a legally permitted form of deposit, for example a blocked account in your name. Do not simply transfer the deposit to the landlord's private account. Have any different proposal reviewed first.

    Flanders · Signing a rental contract ↗
    02

    At the handover of the keys: record what you see

    Make a detailed inventory of fixtures together. Note existing damages, damp spots, appliances and keys. Date and sign the document. Photos are a useful supplement. Also record the meter readings.

    What if I only discover damage after moving in?

    Report the defect as soon as possible in writing with photos and request that it be added to the findings. A photo on its own does not necessarily prove when the damage occurred. If disputed, seek rental advice in time.

    Flanders · Signing a rental contract ↗Flanders · Arranging a move ↗
    03

    After moving: your address and contracts

    Immediately notify your actual move to your new municipality. Flanders allows eight working days for the declaration. Then follow the invitation to update your identity card. Notify your bank, employer and insurer yourself and update your delivery addresses.

    Do I have to register my student room as my domicile?

    A student room is not automatically your main residence. Have the municipality assess your actual situation and enquire about the consequences for your family and rights. Do not use the domicile solely as a financial choice.

    Flanders · Changing your address ↗Flanders · Arranging a move ↗
    04

    Energy, water, internet and daily safety

    Arrange energy and water contracts in time. Upon takeover jointly record the meter readings and keep a signed copy. An energy takeover document alone is not a supply contract. Ask about installation costs, duration and termination conditions for internet.

    The monthly energy bill is low. Is that my actual cost?

    An advance is a prepayment. The final bill follows your actual consumption and contract. Check after a few months whether your advance is realistic, so that a settlement surprises your budget less.

    Flanders · Arranging a move ↗V-test · Compare energy contracts ↗
    Frequently Asked Questions
    Eating area by a wooden staircase

    FROM READING TO PREPARATION

    Already a first answer.

    Where do I start if I become independent for the first time?

    Start with what will change soon: your home, work, income or family situation. Open the related guide and use the checklist to make a list of what is arranged and what still needs an answer.

    Must I arrange everything at once?

    First distinguish between arrangements with a date and issues you still want to investigate. Keep contracts and confirmations together. Ask the relevant service which information they need and note the next step.

    Can I involve a parent or trusted person?

    You can review the information together and prepare your questions. Indicate who you want to involve in a conversation. It helps if you formulate in advance what you want to achieve and what you have doubts about.

    EASY PREPARATION

    A checklist for your next step

    Choose your topic. You will see what helps and what you can explore together with the office.

    View all checklists

    Useful websites

    View sources and practical websites
    Flanders · Renting a homeInformation about rental contracts, rights, obligations and possible support.Living in FlandersOfficial information about housing quality, renting, letting and housing support. A starting point for questions about smoke detectors and housing premiums.Smoke detectorsRead where smoke detectors are required and how to install and maintain them. The page also clarifies the duties of tenant and landlord.Inspection and maintenance of your heatingSee the rules for inspection and maintenance of your heating installation. Which obligations apply depend, among other things, on the type of installation.Police on Web: your alarm systemRegister your alarm system via the official online police portal. You register to use the available services.Renovation obligationCheck when the renovation obligation applies and which conditions and exceptions are applicable. Include this in your purchase and renovation planning.Flanders: My Renovation PremiumCheck which works qualify, which conditions apply to your situation and which documents you need for an application.Premium seeker: Flemish, provincial and municipal premiumsFind which residential and renovation premiums may suit your home and municipality. Check the conditions with the body granting the premium before ordering any works.Guaranteed Housing InsuranceSee at the Flemish Housing Fund the information, application possibilities and conditions of the Guaranteed Housing Insurance with a mortgage loan.Post-Intervention File (PID) for works and saleThe PID consolidates information for safely working on a building later. See when it is necessary and how it is delivered to the new owner upon transfer. Discuss a missing file with us in good time.Flanders: renovation grants and tax benefitsA starting point for support with renovation. Check the conditions, technical requirements and application periods for your planned works in advance.Flanders: reduced registration duty for the sole own homeAre you purchasing a home in Flanders? Read the conditions for the reduced registration duty. Have your ownership situation and housing plans reviewed in advance to ensure compliance.Brussels: renovation grants, taxation and financing (French)For a property in the Brussels-Capital Region: consult the official information on support and financing for renovation. Check whether applications for your works are possible.Brussels: discount on registration tax upon purchaseRead when part of the purchase price may be excluded from the calculation of registration tax. Discuss the conditions and residence obligations before you buy.Wallonia: housing and renovation grants (French)For works on a property in Wallonia: see the applicable grant scheme, application steps and whether a preliminary property audit is required.Wallonia: reduced registration duty for the sole own home (French PDF)Official frequently asked questions regarding the reform of registration duty. This PDF is in the December 2024 publication folder. Have us verify the current application to your purchase.

    FROM FIRST QUESTION TO NEXT STEP

    You do not have to figure it out alone.

    1. First your situation

      Explain what is happening, who is involved and what you want to avoid.

    2. Weighing possibilities

      We discuss your questions, the available documents and the consequences of possible choices.

    3. Your next step

      We record what you want to have drafted and what follow-up belongs to it.

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