The Brussels rental market is competitive, and that competition creates fertile ground for fraud. Scammers know that expats — under pressure to find housing quickly — are more likely to transfer a deposit before seeing a contract. The good news: the red flags are consistent and easy to spot once you know what to look for.
The most common rental scams in Brussels
The phantom landlord
A convincing listing appears on a general platform. The 'landlord' is abroad (a missionary, an engineer on a contract — the excuses vary). They ask for a deposit transfer to secure the apartment. You transfer. They disappear. The apartment either doesn't exist or belongs to someone else entirely.
The bait-and-switch
The advertised apartment looks great. On viewing day, it's 'no longer available' — but the agency has a similar one (smaller, worse location, higher price) they'd love to show you. The original listing was never real.
The hidden-fees trap
The listed price seems reasonable. Then the contract arrives with agency fees (often 1 month's rent), mandatory insurance packages, and utility surcharges that push the real cost 20–40% higher than advertised.
Red flags to watch for
- Price is significantly below market rate for the neighbourhood
- Photos look professional but are slightly off — check reverse image search
- Landlord can't meet in person and communicates only by email or WhatsApp
- Pressure to pay a deposit before viewing or before a contract is signed
- No Belgian business registration number (KBO/BCE) for agencies
- Contract in English only with no French/Dutch version (required by law in Brussels)
- Deposit exceeds two months' rent (the legal maximum in Belgium)
How to verify a landlord or agency
- 1Search the agency name on the Belgian Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (economie.fgov.be) to confirm they're a registered business.
- 2Look for Google reviews from identifiable, real people — not just a handful of 5-star ratings with no text.
- 3Search the address on Google Maps Street View. Does the building actually look like the listing?
- 4Ask for a video call showing the apartment in real time.
- 5Request the lease draft before paying anything. A legitimate landlord will never object.
Legal note
In Belgium, a security deposit cannot exceed 2 months' rent. Any request for more is illegal. Never pay before signing a contract, and always pay by bank transfer (not cash or Western Union).
Signs of a trustworthy agency
- Physical office address you can visit
- Genuine Google reviews (4.0+ with detailed text)
- Registered KBO/BCE number visible on their website
- Media coverage or press mentions
- Professional photos, floor plans, and 3D tours
- Transparent pricing — no hidden fees
- Willing to do in-person or video viewings before any payment
What a safe lease looks like
A legitimate lease specifies: start and end date, monthly rent with all inclusions listed, deposit amount and return conditions, the exact address of the property, and the landlord's full legal name or company name. If anything is vague, ask for clarification in writing before signing.
At Rezidentz, every lease is digital, clearly structured, and available in English. Our team will walk you through every clause before you sign — and we'll never ask for money before you've seen the apartment.
