Rent subsidy
If you have a low income and move from a poor, non-adapted house to a decent, adapted house which you rent on the private rental market or from a social letting agency, you qualify for a contribution towards the rent or a rent subsidy. You only qualify if you have recently moved. If you recently lost the qualification of a homeless person, you can also apply for the rent subsidy.
This contribution towards the rent is composed of two parts.
- a monthly rent subsidy and
- a one-off installation premium.
Conditions
To receive a rent subsidy you must fulfil a number of conditions.
Income
Your family income must not exceed a defined maximum.
Property
You do not have full ownership of a house or do not have a right of usufruct to it.
The house you are leaving
The house you are leaving must be situated in the Flemish Region and must fulfil several conditions.
The new house
The new house must be situated in the Flemish Region and must meet certain standards. Its rent must not exceed a defined maximum.
Compulsory registration with a social housing company
If you apply for the rent subsidy, you are obliged to register on the waiting list of a social housing company in your municipality at the latest nine months after your application.
Procedure
Apply for the rent subsidy by means of
- the application form (doc) (in Dutch)(Word file opens in new window)
- or the application form for those who rent a house at a social letting agency (doc) (in Dutch)(Word file opens in new window).
You can submit the application after you have moved to your new house, and at the latest 9 months after the start of the rental contract.
You will receive the rent subsidy for a maximum of 9 years and as long as you are on the waiting list of a social housing company in your municipality.
The rent subsidy will also end if you move to a social house or if you receive a rent premium. You can never receive a rent subsidy and a rent premium at the same time.
Amount
The first payment is made within 4 months after your application has been approved.
The monthly rent subsidy depends on your family situation, the location and type of your new house, and your income.
The one-off installation premium equals three times the amount of the first rent subsidy.