Studying in Brussels: an excellent choice

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1 Welcome to Brussels. You are about to start an exciting period of studying and living in the heart of Europe. In order to make your stay and studies in Belgium unforgettable it is important to look for a suitable place to stay. Your temporary new home should be a comfortable and study friendly environment. But how to get started? This leaflet gives practical tips for your search for student accommodation and gives a brief overview of the different possibilities in Brussels. You can contact STUVO+ if you want more detailed information or if you have any questions or concerns.

2 Studying in Brussels: an excellent choice Brussels, a student city Brussels is a very lively city with many different districts and communes. Every commune has its own charm and atmosphere, which makes that every new inhabitant can feel himself at home in our capital. It is a melting pot of many different cultures and people with all kinds of different backgrounds. It is not only the capital of Belgium and Europe, but also one of the largest student cities of the country. Brussels by night As an international student, you want more than just bury your head in books and study all day long. Do you like cultural events, going to the cinema or to a concert? Do you enjoy a good discussion in a relaxed atmosphere? Then Brussels is the place to be. Apart from the museums, libraries and all kinds of cultural places, Brussels offers you many bars, restaurants, clubs and cinemas. Types of student accommodation It is important to know that there are different types of student accommodation in Brussels and that these may differ from those in your home country. Most common in Belgium are the student rooms ( kot ) with a shared kitchen and sanitary facilities, but if your prefer a bit more privacy, you can also choose to rent a studio (small flat) where everything is private. Some students choose to share an apartment with other students, but this is not a common practice in Belgium, therefore this may be difficult to find, but not impossible depending on the length of your stay in Brussels.

3 How to start your search? In order to find suitable student accommodation in Brussels there are different possibilities and locations. STUVO+ advises you to make a good evaluation of your monthly budget and the requests you have. As there is no on-campus housing nor does STUVO+ manages any student accommodation itself, we mainly refer students to Br(ik. Student accommodation of Br(ik Br(ik ( is a service desk for students in Brussels. Their office is located on walking distance from the campus: in the Bloemenstraat 32, 1000 Brussels. Br(ik manages about 400 student rooms and studios all located in the city center (1000 Brussels). You can pass by their office for more information about the available rooms. The opening hours: Monday until Thursday from 1 pm until 5 pm and Friday until 3 pm or you can contact them by welkom@brik.be. International student house Van Orley If you will study in Brussels for a short period or for a semester you can make a room reservation in the international student house Van Orley. This student house is managed by Br(ik. For more information send an to housingbrussel@stuvoplus.be. Rental contracts for Van Orley can be signed for minimum 2 weeks up to maximum 6 months. All room reservations must be requested directly at Br(ik. Confirmation of the room reservation by Br(ik is done at the beginning of July or at the beginning of January depending on the fact if you will come to Brussels for the fall or spring semester.

4 ikot Br(ik s online database Apart from managing their own student accommodation, Br(ik also coordinates an online database ikot (ikot.brik.be). This database contains the 400 units Br(ik manages itself as well as student rooms, studios and apartments of private landlords scattered over the city center and the surrounding communes. In total the database contains an offer of approximately 4000 units for student accommodation. Once you are logged in you can enter your search criteria and check the list of available student rooms that match with your requirements. Now it is up to you to decide which rooms you would like to visit. Private housing If there is nothing according to your needs in ikot or if you prefer to look elsewhere, you can also look for suitable accommodation on other websites. However, be aware that general rental terms differ from student rental contracts. Contact STUVO+ for more detailed information. Note that STUVO+ mainly recommends to rent student accommodation from ikot as Br(ik has got a good contact with the private owners and mediation is often easier. Rental prices Rental prices in Brussels differ as much as the offer of student accommodation. The average rental price is between 350 and 450 per month, dependent on the surface, the location, the comfort and the fact if the utility costs are included or not. The most expensive student accommodation is in the city center. If you are looking for something cheaper, it is advisable to look a bit further away from the center of Brussels or to look in the surrounding communes.

5 Additional tips to take into account Since you will spend a reasonable amount of time in your room, it must be a pleasant environment in which you feel comfortable. In order to avoid unpleasant surprises in the end, take into account the following practical tips: Compare several rooms. If possible, visit a number of different types of student accommodation before making a final decision. You will get an idea of price versus quality of the student rooms on the market. It is not really advisable to rent a kot from abroad, however, if you are obliged to do so, make sure you have a signed copy of the rental contract and watch out for fraud. Decide on your priorities: know what you want. Make up your mind about what the minimum standards of your student room should be, what comfort you want and what price you are willing to pay. Do you want to live close to the campus or you do not mind to take the public transport? Check the prices of the public transport before your arrival, this can make a difference in your budget. More information: Explore the neighborhood, also at night. Is your room in a quiet area, is there a supermarket or other shops nearby? Brussels is a very lively city, especially in some areas at night. Renting a room near a bar or club can cause a lot of trouble with noise. Therefore a good noise insulation can be helpful. Pay attention to the safety and the hygiene of the student house and the room. Is there an emergency exit, are there fire extinguishers, can the door of the room be locked properly, are the heaters safe? Check what is or is not included in the rental price in order to avoid surprises at the end of the month. Read the rental agreement very thoroughly before signing it! If you have doubts, ask STUVO+ for advice.

6 Final step: signing a rental contract If you have decided which room or flat you want to rent, you will have to sign a rental agreement. Regular student rental contracts are for 12 months. It is possible to use the standard rental contract of Br(ik or you can sign another contract, but it is important to always read the contract in detail. Contracts are usually in Dutch or French, so do not hesitate to drop by STUVO+ for advice. To break a contract is always very difficult and it usually involves the payment of a penalty fee and finding a replacement tenant. On you will find more detailed information about contracts, deposits, rental price and municipal taxes. Click on International Students for more information in English. Contact For assistance, practical information and questions related to housing, do not hesitate to send an to the address mentioned below. STUVO+ Social Services and Housing T Serclaes 1st floor Room A Tel: housingbrussel@stuvoplus.be