Belgium Residential Tenant Survey 2024

Belgium Residential Tenant Survey 2024

The 2024 Belgium Residential Tenant Survey, conducted by CBRE, gathered over 2,200 responses, ultimately analyzing 1,055 valid responses from tenants across the country. The primary aim was to understand the demographics, preferences, and market trends among renters.

Who Rents?

In terms of demographics, the survey revealed a gender distribution of 40% female and 60% male. Many respondents resided in major cities, particularly Brussels, which accounted for 28% of the responses, followed by Ghent at 7% and Leuven at 6.5%. The average age of respondents was 31, with 36% being younger than 34 and 39% identified as students. Nearly half of the participants were single, comprising 48%, while 25% lived as couples without children. Regarding income, over 60% of respondents reported earnings of less than €40,000 annually, with the average age for those in this income bracket being 28. 

The survey also examined living arrangements, revealing that the average household size was 2.3, consistent with the national average. Notably, one- and two-person households made up 71% of the total. A significantly larger amount of flat-sharers where surveyed, as this group increased from 5% in our 2021 survey to 18% in 2024, indicating a growing preference for co-renting among younger tenants.

Property: Size & Cost

In terms of the housing market, apartments emerged as the most popular rental option, representing over 50% of the stock, followed by student rooms and terraced houses, each accounting for 15%. The average size of rented residences was 97 m², with the average rent being €807 per month plus €110 in service charges. Apartments averaged €901 per month, with the highest rents recorded in Brussels at €1,000 monthly.

Location & Preferences

When it came to tenant preferences, the survey highlighted that rental price was the most significant factor in choosing a rental property, with 79% of respondents indicating it as extremely important. Other critical factors included safety and nearby amenities, reinforcing the importance of location in rental decisions. Additionally, over 75% of tenants expressed a preference for buying a home rather than continuing to rent, though many faced financial barriers that hindered their ability to do so.

Future Prospects

The survey provided insights into tenancy duration, noting that the average current tenancy length was 3.4 years. On average, respondents expected to remain in their current residences for an additional 3.3 years, indicating a stable rental market.

Working from Home

In the realm of working from home, attitudes remained relatively unchanged since the last survey, with many tenants preferring a mix of office and homeworking. About 60% felt their rental properties were suitable for remote work, highlighting the ongoing adaptation of living spaces to accommodate changing work habits.

Commute

Lastly, the survey explored commuting habits, revealing that the majority of respondents used public transport (39%) or cars (31%) for their daily commutes, with an average commute time of 28.6 minutes. Most participants do not utilize mobility services, although those who do often opted for shared bikes.