Can I take the contract home to read it?

Yes. Take time to read and do not sign under pressure. If someone refuses or pushes you: red flag.

Is registration mandatory?

Yes: the landlord must register the lease (Flanders: within 2 months). As long as a Flemish residential lease is not registered, the tenant may in certain cases terminate without a notice period or termination fee.

How much is the termination fee?

It depends on the contract type and the year in which you terminate. The well-known tiers (e.g. 3/2/1 months for a 9-year lease in year 1/2/3) apply in Flanders in specific situations. Check the official source below for your contract type.

When can the rent be indexed?

Usually a maximum of once per year, on the anniversary of the contract. Ask the landlord to confirm the calculation in writing.

What about indexation with a poor EPC?

In Flanders: for contracts that took effect before 1/10/2022 for a home without an EPC or with label D/E/F, an adjusted formula (correction factor) must be used for indexation.

18 January 2026· By Thomas Billiet

The Rental Contract: Signing, Registering, Indexing & Terminating

Last updated: 18 January 2026. This article is for information only and is not legal advice. Rules may change; check the official sources below.

This article explains your rights and obligations for the rental contract (huurovereenkomst / contrat de bail) in Flanders and Brussels: which clauses to refuse, how registration and indexation protect you, and how to terminate without penalties.

Who it's for: Tenants who want to know what they are entitled to AND what they must do themselves to prevent problems. What it solves for you: You avoid abusive contracts, do not overpay indexation, and leave without fines. What you can do at the end: Use the 25-point checklist and write a termination letter.

Part 1: Before you sign (the checklist)

A rental contract is often 20 pages of legal jargon. Focus on these essentials:

The basics

Contract type: "Short-term" (≤ 3 years) or "9-year" (standard)? This determines your termination options!
Rent & costs: Is it clear what is rent and what is costs? (See also our guide Renting Safely).
Start date: From when do you pay?

The pitfalls (red flags)

"No pets": Often a point of discussion. If the ban is excessive or does not fit the property, be extra critical and ask for written justification.
"No domicile allowed": For a primary residence this is in practice a major red flag. Ask for clarification and do not sign if you want to make it your primary residence.
"Tenant does all repairs": Too broad. Ask for a clear division of maintenance and repairs; not everything can simply be pushed onto the tenant.
"Landlord may always enter": Not OK. Visits normally take place by appointment.

Part 2: Registration

Registration makes your contract "fixed" and official with the authorities.

Who has to do it? The landlord.
By when? Within 2 months of signing.
Cost? Free.

Why it matters for YOU

Protection if the property is sold: Registration helps make your rental contract enforceable against third parties.
Flanders: extra protection if not registered: As long as a Flemish residential lease is not registered, the tenant may in certain cases terminate without a notice period or termination fee (this depends on the situation).

Check whether it is registered? Log in to MyMinfin (consult your rental contracts).

Part 3: Rent indexation (the annual increase)

Your rent may rise each year with the cost of living (the index).

The rules

In writing: Ask the landlord to confirm the calculation and timing in writing.
Formula: (Base rent × New index) / Starting index.

EPC pitfall (Flanders)

Are you renting a home without an EPC or with label D/E/F and is your contract from before 1 October 2022?

Then a correction factor must be used for indexation (so no "normal" indexation).
Recalculate and ask the landlord to revise the calculation if it is wrong.

Template if in doubt: "Hello [Name], I received the indexation. Since my EPC label is E and the contract dates from 2020, the correction factor must be applied. Can you revise the calculation?"

Part 4: Terminating the contract

You want to leave. How do you do that without losing money?

Step 1: Which contract do you have?

A. Short-term (≤ 3 years)

Before: Not terminable (unless stated in the contract).
Now (contracts after 2019): Terminable with 3 months' notice.
Fee: 1.5 months (year 1), 1 month (year 2), 0.5 months (year 3).

B. 9 years (standard)

Always terminable with 3 months' notice.
Fee: 3 months (year 1), 2 months (year 2), 1 month (year 3).
From year 4: No fee.

Step 2: The termination letter

Send it by registered mail.
The notice period starts on the 1st day of the following month.
- Example: Letter sent on 15 February → Notice starts 1 March → End of tenancy 31 May.

Template: termination letter

"Registered mail

Subject: Termination of the rental agreement [Address]

Dear Sir/Madam,

I hereby terminate the rental agreement for the above-mentioned property. The 3-month notice period starts on [1st day of following month] and ends on [End date].

I suggest we get in touch during the last month to arrange the outgoing inventory of fixtures (plaatsbeschrijving / état des lieux) and the key handover.

Kind regards, [Your name]"

Checklists & downloads

Contract check checklist

Names and addresses are correct
Start date and duration are correct
Rent and costs are clearly separated
No illegal clauses (domicile, pets)
Inventory of fixtures (plaatsbeschrijving / état des lieux) mentioned as an obligation

Termination checklist

Registered letter sent?
Post office date stamp kept?
Notice start date calculated correctly?
Appointment for the inventory of fixtures made?