smallwww.xp.com

1BRUSSELSSCHOOLOFINTERNATIONALSTUDIES/GUIDETOFINDINGACCOMMODATIONLastupdatedMarch20182Dearstudent,WehaveputtogetherthefollowinginformationtoallowyoutostartyoursearchforaccommodationinBrussels.
Weappreciatethechallengeswithtryingtoorganiseeverythingrequiredforrelocationtoanewcountry,butweareonhandtohelpwithanyissuesthatmightarise.
Brusselsisahugelyinternationalcityandwelcomesnumerousexpatsandnewcomersallthetime.
ThismeansthereisawealthofsupportavailabletohelpplanyourmoveforexampletheBrusselsCommissionerOfficeorthestaffhereatBSIS.
WehopeyoufindtheinformationbelowhelpfulandwelookforwardtomeetingyouhereatBSIS.
Bestregards,TheteamatBSISTheProfessionalServicesTeam3AccommodationinBrusselsCongratulationsonyourofferforBSIS.
Werealisethereisalottoorganise,andsecuringaccommodationforyourtimeinBrusselsisprobablyatthetopofyourpriorities.
AlthoughwedonothaveuniversityownedaccommodationinBrusselsforourstudents,duetothefluidnatureofthehousingmarkethereinBrussels,itisfairlysimpletosecuresomething.
Duetothehighnumberofshortterminternshipsandjobplacements,peoplearecomingandgoingfromthecityveryregularly.
Asallstudentsarelookingforsomethingslightlydifferent,wepostasmanydifferentwebsitesaspossible.
Ourexperienceisthatmoststudentsfindaccommodationwithinoneortwoweeksofarrival(andsometimeswithinevenoneortwodays!
)Ifyouhavearoomforthefirstcoupleofnightsherethenthisshouldgiveyoutimetoassessthemarketandfindsomethingyouarehappywith.
TheflexibilityoftheBrusselshousingmarketmakesfindingaccommodationheremucheasier.
Astherearemanystudentsandpeopleworkingasstagiair(e)s(interns),therearenumerousavailabilitiesfrompeoplewhoareleavingtheirapartmentsandlookingforotherstotakeovertheirleases.
Beforefindingaplaceofyourown:Ifyou'replanningonstayingatahotel,hostelorapartmentviaAirbnb,whilelookingforapermanentapartment,werecommendselectingsomewherearoundBSISsuchasEtterbeekorIxellescommune.
Ifyoufocusyoursearchfortemporaryaccommodationaround"Etterbeek"(forexamplePetillonorThieffreymetrostations),Etterbeekstation,orPlaceJourdan,thiswillgiveyouagoodbasetostartyoursearchinBrussels.
Use-ItmadeamapofallthedifferentyouthhostelsinBrussels,whichyoucanfindontheirwebsitehttp://brussels.
use-it.
travel/,under`wheretosleep`.
PleasedoensureyouarecarefulwithusingplatformssuchasAirbnb.
Althoughscamsarerare,youshouldusecommonsenseandonlymakepaymentsviatheAirbnbsecuresystem.
ThereareahugerangeofapartmentsavailableonAirbnb,andmanythatareclosetotheSchool.
Currentorexstudentsoftenofferuptheirplaceoncouchsurfing,orbyadvertisingintheincomingFacebookgroupwhichmayprovideyouwithaplacetoliveforthefirstweekorso.
HowtofindpropertiesYoucandoagooddealofsearchingevenbeforeyouarrive,butasthehousingmarketmovessoquickly,youcandosomepreliminaryresearchearlyandleavetheserioushousehuntinguntilyouarrive.
ThefollowingwebsitesandFacebookgroupsaregoodplacestostart:Websiteswww.
immoweb.
be(Goodformorelong-termrentalapartments)www.
xpats.
comwww.
easyroomate.
com4www.
appartager.
com(Oneofthemostwidelyusedforshort-termapartmentsharing)www.
colocation.
comwww.
globali.
bewww.
vlanimmo.
bewww.
expatica.
comhttp://www.
allesthuis.
be/mod=kamer&otree=1,51&sel=51&a=l&q=navhttp://www.
samenhuizen.
be/(lookunder`zoekertjes`)http://speedcoloc.
be/http://www.
brukot.
be/http://www.
jannonce.
be/immo/cohabitation/louer/http://www.
find-roommate.
net/en/searchsearch_type=0&query=Brusselshttp://erasmusu.
com/en/erasmus-brussels/student-housingref=flat_accohttps://www.
metroroommates.
com/city_rentals/brussels_rentals.
aspFacebookgroupshttps://www.
facebook.
com/groups/1527847924095974/fref=tsSamenhuizen/co-housingBrusselshttps://www.
facebook.
com/groups/188519461195986/fref=tsWoneninBrusselOneofthebestFacebookgroupsforsecuringaccommodationisthefollowing:https://www.
facebook.
com/groups/195527370457521/fref=tsBXLalouer:deboucheaoreille(II)https://www.
facebook.
com/groups/624316874256455/fref=tsBXLALOUER:STUDIO/APPART/COMMERCEWalkingthroughthecityManystudentshavefoundithelpfultogetorienteduponarrivalandthenjusttakeafewdayswalkingaroundandlookingforALouer/TeHuur(ForRent)signs.
Youmaybesurprisedbyhowmanyyoufind–andoftenatslightlymoreaffordablepricesthantheapartmentsadvertisedonlineorthroughagencies!
ThisishowmoststudentsatBSISfindplacestolive.
Normallyyoucancallthelandlordandarrangeaviewingforthesameday.
Insomecases,youcanbemovinginthenextday!
Pleasenotethatthesesignsareputupforapartmentsandhouses,butnotsooftenforsinglerooms,butthisisbecomingincreasinglypopular.
AgenciesIfyouarelimitedontime,orprefertouseanexternalservice,anEstateAgentmaybeusefulinBrussels.
Someagentswilldriveyouaroundthecitytoappointments.
ThedownsideofusinganAgentisthattheycanoftenbemoreexpensivepropertiesandtheydonotusuallymanagestudentproperties.
However,ifyourbudgetismoreflexible,thiscanbeagoodoption.
5SigningaleaseTherearetwotypesofleaseinBelgium–short-termandlong–termlease(9yearslease).
Moststudentswilleitherbelookingforashort-termlease,orjoininganexistinglong-termleaseinplaceofanexistingtenant.
Wewouldrecommendtryingtoobtainashort-termleaseasthisismoreflexibleforstudents.
Itisworthcheckinghowyouendtheleaseandwhatpenaltiestheremaybeforleavingtheleaseearly.
Inmostcases,youcannegotiateanearlyexitwithnopenalty.
TheBrusselscommissionerofficehassomeexcellentresourcesonwhattocheckbeforesigningaleasehttp://www.
commissioner.
brussels/i-am-an-expat/housing/82-housing/104-signing-a-leaseandwerecommendreadingthroughthisthoroughly.
Youwillalsofindfurtherdetailsondeposits,guaranteesandinventory.
TheBrusselsStudentSurvivalGuidealsogoesintofurtherdetailsonstudentexperiencesrelatedtoaccommodationinBrussels:https://www.
kent.
ac.
uk/brussels/documents/studentsurvivalguide.
pdf.
DomiciliationSomelandlordsorformertenantsmayinformyouthatyoucannotuseyournewaddressinBrusselsfordomiciliation.
ThismeansyoucannotregisterattheCommune,thereforewerecommendyouavoidthesekindofplaces.
ThelandlordwouldnormallyonlydothisifyouwereastudentwhohadtheirpermanentaddresselsewhereinBelgium.
FormoststudentsmovingtoBrusselsfortheirstudies,youshouldselectsomewherethatallowsdomiciliation.
PlacestoLiveinBrusselsBrusselscomprises19communes,whichareallsituatedinsidetheOuterRingroadthatcirclesthecity.
Themajorityofnewcomers,especiallyEnglish-speakers,settleinasmallnumberofthesecommunes,locatedinthesouthernandeasternpartsofthecity,nearinternationalschoolsandcompaniese.
g.
Ixelles,EtterbeekorSt-Gilles.
Here'sagreatinteractivemapthatlet'syouexplorethedifferentcommunes:http://www.
ilotsacre.
be/site/gemeenten19communes.
htm.
ThemostpopularneighbourhoodsforBSISstudentsarethefollowing:PostalCodeNeighbourhoodName1050Brussels-Louise1050Ixelles1040Etterbeek1000BrusselsCity1060St-Gilles1030Schaerbeek6ThecommunesofEtterbeekandIxellesarenearesttotheSchoolandmanystudentschoosetolivehere.
However,mostofthecommunescoverlargeareas!
AreasofEtterbeekandIxellescaninfactbequitefarfromtheschool,plus,thereareothercommunesalsoveryeasytoreach,forexampleareasofAuderghemorWoluweStPierre.
Alittleeffortinresearchingtransitlines,walkingdistancesandbusinessesorshopping/diningfacilitiesinanareacanhavealargeimpactoverthecourseofyourtimehereinBrussels.
Brusselscentre(VilledeBruxelles)Postcode/Zip1000ThelivelyneighbourhoodsofSaint-GeryandSainte-Catherine,theposhSablonareaorthepreviousworking-classMarollesallmakeagreatareatoliveinifyoucan'tresistavibrantdowntown-atmosphere.
Veryclosetoallbuses,metrosandtrams,youcanmovearoundveryeasilyandquicklyreachtheuniversity.
(+/-halfanhourride)Youcanstillbeluckyandfindagooddeal,butyoungprofessionalshavefoundtheirwaytothecentreoverthelastfewyears,whichhasmadetherentalpriceoftheareaincrease.
YoumayalsofinditisnotthemostconvenientareafortheSchool.
Advantagesofthearea(asplacetoliveforaBSIS-student):Closetothe3maintrainstationsLotsofthingstododuringtheeveningsandweek-ends:culturalcentres(theatres,museums,concerthalls)areallwithinarm`sreach,aswellascafes,restaurants,EasyaccesstoeveryotherpartofthecitybypublictransportDisadvantages:NotthatmanyparksorgreenareasintheneighbourhoodSomeverytouristicspots:notaquiet,calmneighbourhoodParkingspaceisscarceIxelles/ElsenePostcode/Zip1050Ixelles/Elseneisaverylargecommunewithverydistinctneighbourhoods:trendy(upperclass)Chtelain,thepondsandabbeyarealeadingdowntotheBoisdelaCambreandUccle;busyChausséed'IxelleswhichtakesyoufromthestudentareaaroundFlageystraighttoMatongéandthecemeteryarea(Cimetièred'ixelles)withitslate-nightbarsandstudentpopulation.
Ifyou'relookingforgreenspacethereisthehugeBoisdelaCambrethatstartsattheendofAvenueLouise.
IxellesisextremelypopularforstudentsandyoungprofessionalsandsowewouldrecommendlookinginthisareaifyouareunsurewheretoliveinBrussels.
Despitethepopularity,itisstillpossibletosecurereasonablypricedaccommodationduetothesheervolumeavailable.
Advantagesofthearea:ClosetotheSchool7Verydiversearea:greenaroundBoisdelaCambre,studentareaaroundFlagey,expatareaaroundChatelainLotsofcafesandrestaurants,shopsandalivelylifestyleAgoodrangeofaccommodationoptions–flatshares,short-termleases,kots,studioapartmentsandafastmovinghousingmarket.
Agenerallyaffordablerangeofaccommodationasmanyareasaretargetedtowardsstudentsandinterns.
Disadvantages:AroundFlagey:parkingspaceisscarceWellcoveredbypublictransportingeneralbutnotbymetro.
NoteveryareaofIxellesisclosetooneofthemaintrainstations(AvenueLouise,FlageyandMatongearetheclosest)Etterbeek-Postcode/Zip1040EtterbeekisthecommunethatBSISislocated–andyou'llfinditwelllocatedtoinstitutionssuchastheEuropeanCommission.
BestknownfortheareaaroundParcduCinquantenaire,Etterbeekisaveryresidentialneighbourhood.
Itisverywellcoveredbypublictransportfacilitiesincludingmetro,tramandbus.
Therelativelycheaphousingpricesandgoodavailabilityofhousesandapartments,mostlyinconversions,makeEtterbeekquiteattractivetoBSIS-students.
Advantages:ClosetotheuniversityWellcoveredbypublictransportManyEUinstitutionsQuiet,moreresidentialneighbourhoodClosetotheParcduCinquantenaireDisadvantages:Noteveryareaisverylively,vibrant(mostlyresidential)Saint-Gilles/Sint-Gillis–Postcode/Zip1060Saint-Gillesisbecomingrapidlypopularsinceitprovidesanicecombinationofhomes,cafes,openspacesandculturalcentres.
IthasthesamemixtureasIxelles,withouttheupper-classelement,sorentalpricesarenormallyabitlower.
It'ssaidthatSaintGillesis`afavouriteamongexpatswholiketolivelikelocals`.
Saint-GillescanbeabitofacommutetoSchooloryourinternship,thereforeitisnotsuchapopularplaceforBSISstudentstolive.
Advantages:VibrantbutresidentialClosetotheGareduMidiDisadvantages:8Wellcoveredbypublictransportingeneral,butnotbymetro.
DependsontheareaoftheneighbourhoodwhethertheuniversityiseasilyreachableTypesofPropertyoApartmentscomeinone-room,two-room,threeormoreroomvarieties.
Thenumberofroomslistedusuallyreferstothenumberofbedrooms,ratherthanthetotalnumberofrooms.
oAflatorstudioistypicallyoneroomdividedintolivingandsleepingspaces.
oAmezzaninereferstoaloft-stylespaceabovethelivingareawhichservesasabedroom.
oADuplexisusuallyatwostoreyapartmentoStudentHousingusuallyreferstooneroominalargehousesharedwithotherstudents.
ThereareafewlargescalestudentresidenceblocksuchasTheLinkhttp://www.
thelink.
brussels/.
CostsRentinginBrusselsisstillrelativelyaffordable,particularlyifyoucompareittootherEuropeancapitals.
Theaveragecostofrentingvariessubstantiallyacrossthecity.
Moststudentsarelookingforapartmentsharingandthisisthemostcosteffective.
Studentstendtotakeshort-termleasesintheseapartmentshares,ortakeovertheleasefromatenantwhoisleaving.
Intermsofcosts,averagefiguresaresetoutbelow:RoominaStudentHouse(Kot)(10bedrooms):250-400permonthRoominanapartmentsharewith2/3others:300-550permonthStudioapartment:450-700permonthOnebedroomapartment:700-950permonthTwobedroomapartment:1000-1500permonthWhatthesecostsincludedoesvary,somewillincludecharges(e.
g.
electricity,water,counciltax)whereasothersmaybeextra–expecttopayanadditional100permonthforthesecharges.
Forexample,ifyouliveinanapartmentblockwithalift(elevator)youmayhavehighercharges.
RegisteringattheCommune/GemeenteAllnewinhabitantstoBrusselsshouldregisterattheCommune(thisisthetownhallintheareaofBrusselsthatyoulive).
Eachcommunehasatownhallfornewresidentsfromothercountries.
Fornon-EUcitizens,youwillbeaskedtovisitthecommunewithineightdaysofarrival,buttosaverepeatvisits,wewouldrecommendvisitingthecommuneonceyouhavefoundapermanentplacetolive.
Yourfirstvisittothecommunewillessentiallybereportingtothecommuneandarrangingthenextsteps.
Registeringatthecommunelooksabitlikethis:Step1:PresentingyourselftothecommuneandlettingthemknowyouraddressinBrussels.
Pleasetakepassport/IDonthisvisit.
9Step2:ThecommunewillarrangeforthePolicetovisityourapartmenttocheckthatyouarelivingattheaddressyousaidyouwere.
UsuallythePolicewillsimplycheckthenameonthedoorbell,sopleaseensureyouhaveplacedyournamebadgethere!
Insomecommunes,thePolicemaywanttospeaktoyou.
Step3:ThePolicewillleaveanappointmentslipinyourpostboxwithatimeanddatetoregisterattheCommune.
Step4:Visitthecommuneatthestipulatedtimeanddate.
Pleaseseebelowforallthenecessaryitemsrequiredtoregister.
Step5:ThecommunewillletyouknowwhenyourBelgianIDcardisreadyforcollection.
ForNon-EUpassportholders,thiswillalsoincludearesidencypermitinthepassport.
CommuneWebsites:Ixelles/Elsenehttp://www.
ixelles.
irisnet.
be/site/index.
phpEtterbeekhttp://www.
etterbeek.
be/vos-demarches/je-minstalle-a-etterbeekset_language=frSchaerbaekhttp://www.
schaerbeek.
be/en/administrative-procedures/civil-status-identity-nationality/first-registration-commune/premiere-inscription-non-belges/stay-more-than-three-months-registration-within-communeSt-Gilleshttp://www.
stgilles.
irisnet.
be/fr/s-installer-a-saint-gilles/Brussels(1000)https://www.
brussels.
be/registration-newly-arrived-foreignerWhattotakewhenregisteringatthecommuneAllcommuneshavetheirownproceduresforregistration,butingeneral,youshouldensureyoureporttothecommuneassoonaspossibleastonotdelaytheprocess.
Theguidelinesareasfollows:StudentsfromanEUmemberstatePleasebringthefollowingdocumentswithyou:ValidpassportornationalidentitycardCertificateofpermanentenrolmentCertificateofundertakingorgrantcertificateifnecessary,orsworndeclarationoflivelihood(notusuallynecessary)Proofofhealthinsurance(Europeanhealthinsurancecard)Registeredleasecontractorthepropertydeedfortheaccommodationservingasprimaryresidence4recentpassportphotosperperson(face-on,onawhitebackground,formatH4.
5cmxL3.
5cm)TIMEFRAME:Asquicklyaspossible(minimum:3months)Non-EUstudents10Pleasebringthefollowingdocumentswithyou:PassportwithVisaDCertificateofpermanentenrolmentCertificateofundertakingorproofofgrant(acopyisvalid)Registeredleasecontractorthepropertydeedfortheaccommodationservingasprimaryresidence4recentpassportphotosperperson(face-on,onawhitebackground,formatH4.
5cmxL3.
5cm)TIMEFRAME:Asquicklyaspossible(minimum:3months)UsefulresourcesfornewcomerstoBelgiumExpaticaBelgium:https://www.
expatica.
com/be/visas-and-permits/Study-in-Belgium-Guide-to-student-visas-and-permits_107627.
htmlBrusselsCommissioneroffice:http://www.
commissioner.
brussels/i-am-an-expatTheBulletin:http://www.
xpats.
com/Angloinfo:https://www.
angloinfo.
com/belgiumoRentalPhrasesEnglishFranaisNederlandsAgencyAgenceAgentschapAlarmAlarmeAlarmAmerican-stylekitchenCuisineaméricaine(cuisam)AmerikaansekeukenApartmentAppartement(app)Appartement(app)AtticGrenier(gren)ZolderAvailableLibreVrij/BeschikbaarBasementCaveKelder(keld)BathroomSalledebain(sdb)Badkamer(badk)BedroomChambreàcoucher(ch)Slaapkamer(slpk)BreakfastcornerCoinàdéjeunerOntbijthoek/eethoek11CentralHeatingChauffagecentral(chcent/cc)CentraleverwarmingConciergeConcierge(conc)Concierge(conc)DiningroomSalleàmanger(sam)Eetkamer(eetk)ElevatorAscenseur(asc)LiftExpertiseEtatdeslieuxStaatvanhethuisExtracostsCharges(char)Kosten(kost)ExtracostsincludedChargesincluses/Pasdecharges(Chincl/pdch)Kosteninbegrepen/Geenkosten(Kostinb/gkost)FaadeFaade(Fac)Gevel(gev)FarmFermeHoeveFloor(story)Etage(ét)Verdieping(verd)ForRentAlouer(AL)TeHuur(THorTeHr)ForSaleAvendre(AV)Tekoop(TKorTeKp)ForinformationcallPourrenseignements,appelezVoorinlichtingen,belFully-equippedkitchenCuisinesuperéquipée(cuisséq)volledigingerichtekeuken(vol.
ing.
Kkn)FurnishedMeublé(meub)Bemeubeld(e)(Bemeub)Garagegarage(gar)garage(gar)GardenJardin(jard)Tuin12GasoilMazout(maz)Stookolie/mazout(maz)Groundfloor(USfirstfloor)Rezdechaussée(rdch)gelijkvloers(rdch)HallHallHal/gangHouseMaison(mais)HuisInsuranceAssuranceVerzekeringKitchenCuisine(cuis)Keuken(kkn)LargeGrand(e)(gr)Groot(grote)(gr)LargeHouseVillaVillaLargeTownHouseMaisondematreHerenhuisLaundryroomBuanderie(buand)Wasplaats(waspl)LikenewEtatneuf(neuf)NieuwestaatLivingroomSalon/Living(sal/liv)LivingMarbleMarbre(marb)marmer(mar)NoanimalsPasd'animauxGeenhuisdierenNon-smokersNon-fumeursniet-rokersOfficeBureau(bur)Bureel/bureau(bur)Old/AntiqueAncienOud/AntiekOpenhearthFeuouvert(fo)openhaard(oh)Parkingspotparking(pkg)parking/autostaanplaats(pkg)PatioCourKoer13PeacefulCalmeRustig/KalmRenovatedRénové(e)(rén)gerenoveerd(gerenov)RentalAgreementBailHuurcontractRestoredrestauré(e)(rest)Vernieuwd/gerestaureerd/gerenoveerd(vern)RoomPièce/chambreKamerRowHouseMaisondeville(rijw)RijwoningSecuritydepositGarantie/caution(gar)Waarborg(waarb)ShowerroomSallededouche(sdd)Stortbad/DoucheSingle-familyhouseMaisonunifamiliale(maisunif)éngezinswoningSmallPetit(e)(pt)Klein(e)(kl)SwimmingpoolPiscine(pisc)ZwembadTerraceTerrasse(terr)Terras(terr)TilesCarrelage(carrel)Tegels(teg)Tovisit,callVisites(followedbytel.
number)(Te)bezichtigen/voorafspraakToiletWCWCVerandaVérandaVeranda