Student housing shortage in Belgium in 2026: Homestays as a supportive alternative

The 2026 academic year is once again shaping up to be a source of anxiety for thousands of Belgian and international students. Finding student housing in Brussels, Liège, or Louvain-la-Neuve has become a real ordeal. Faced with ever-growing demand and a completely saturated supply of traditional student digs, young people and their parents are often left helpless. At Roomlala, we are convinced that there are human, affordable, and secure solutions to overcome this unprecedented crisis.

Indeed, the shortage of student digs in Belgium in 2026 is no longer just a passing phenomenon, but a structural reality pointed out by numerous real estate experts. Queues are growing, prices are soaring, and the stress of the new school year sometimes overshadows the joy of starting higher education. It is in this tense context that renting a homestay emerges as a particularly relevant alternative for student accommodation in Belgium.

Read also: Ontario Rent Increase 2026: Why Renting Out a Room Appeals to Hosts, Rent control in 2026: What are the new rules for shared housing? and New subletting rules in Switzerland: How to legally rent out a room in 2026

Far from being a default choice, living with a private individual offers a multitude of advantages for both the tenant and the host. In this comprehensive article, we offer to analyze the current state of the student housing market, decode the benefits of this solidarity-based solution, and guide you step-by-step through the legal and practical aspects to ensure your shared living arrangement is a success.

The shortage of student digs in Belgium in 2026: An alarming observation

University cities under extreme tension

The situation in major Belgian university hubs has never been so critical. Whether looking for student housing in Brussels, Liège, or Louvain-la-Neuve, students are facing a dried-up rental market. University residences are fully booked months before the start of classes, and real estate agencies are overwhelmed with application files. This imbalance between supply and demand significantly lengthens search times, sometimes forcing students to give up on their first choice of university for lack of a roof.

At Roomlala, we receive daily testimonials from young people who, just weeks before the start of the academic year, still haven't found a backup solution. Take the example of Sarah, a French student who came to do her master's at the ULB. After more than three months of fruitless searches and dozens of visits canceled at the last minute, she found herself at a dead end. Her case is far from isolated and perfectly illustrates the harshness of the current market for newcomers.

This geographical saturation is explained by several factors: the constant increase in the number of students (particularly international ones), the slowness of new construction projects, and the conversion of many former student digs into standard housing or short-term tourist rentals. Faced with this reality, it is urgent to rethink how we house the younger generation.

The explosion of rents and the Kotkompas report

Beyond scarcity, it is financial accessibility that poses a major problem. The traditional student housing market is undergoing a major upscale shift. Real estate developers prioritize building luxury residences, equipped with gyms and coworking spaces, to the detriment of affordable housing. A direct consequence: rents are exploding. It is no longer rare to see new or renovated student digs exceeding 700 to 800 euros per month in Brussels, an astronomical sum for the majority of families.

The figures are clear. According to the recent Kotkompas report, published jointly by Diggit StudentLife and Stadim, the deficit is staggering. No fewer than 70,000 additional student beds would need to be built to hope to reach a balance in the Belgian market within a few years. This shocking figure highlights the inability of the existing housing stock to absorb current and future demand.

This housing insecurity directly impacts academic success. A student who has to work several jobs to pay their 800-euro rent will logically have less time to dedicate to their studies. That is why, faced with this shortage of student digs in Belgium in 2026, it is essential to activate new levers, such as optimizing existing space in private homes.

The student homestay: A solidarity-based and reassuring alternative

A controlled rent and an environment conducive to success

Faced with the galloping inflation of the traditional market, the student homestay stands as a true anti-crisis shield. By renting out a room available in their house or apartment, the host generally offers a much lower rate than the market for student digs. This controlled rent, often with all utilities included (water, electricity, internet), allows the student to budget for their year without unpleasant surprises or abusive adjustments at the end of the lease.

Imagine Thomas, a first-year student in Liège. By opting for a homestay via Roomlala, he only pays 400 euros per month, utilities included, compared to the 650 euros requested for a basic studio in the same neighborhood. This monthly saving of 250 euros allows him to focus fully on his exams without the anxiety of difficult end-of-months.

Furthermore, this type of housing offers an exceptional quality of life. The student benefits from the comfort of a real house (equipped kitchen, washing machine, sometimes a garden) and a quiet environment, ideal for studying. Far from the tumult and noise often associated with large student buildings, the homestay guarantees a lifestyle conducive to academic success.

Additional income and a benevolent presence for the host

If the student finds value in it, the host is just as much a winner. For many people, whether they are retirees, single-parent families, or couples whose children have left the nest, having an empty room represents lost income and sometimes a feeling of emptiness. Renting out this space generates a significant additional income, which is particularly welcome in a context of high cost of living.

But beyond the financial aspect, it is the human experience that prevails. Welcoming a young person into your home means breaking isolation, recreating intergenerational ties, and bringing a little life into the house. At Roomlala, we notice that many hosts are driven by a strong sense of solidarity. They know they are providing an invaluable service to a young person in distress due to the housing crisis.

Take the case of Martine, a young retiree living near Louvain-la-Neuve. By renting out her son's room after he moved abroad, she secures an income of 350 euros per month that helps her pay her energy bills. In return, she sometimes shares a meal with her tenant, discusses current events, and feels reassured by this benevolent presence under her roof. It is a true win-win relationship.

Legal framework in Belgium: What you need to know before starting

The student lease: strict regional rules to respect

It is crucial to understand that student rentals in Belgium fall under regional jurisdiction. The rules governing the student lease therefore differ depending on whether your property is located in Brussels, Wallonia, or Flanders. At Roomlala, we make it a point of honor to inform our users about these specificities to ensure 100% secure rentals.

In the Brussels-Capital Region, for example, the student lease has a maximum duration of one year, renewable. A very important provision concerns early termination: the student can end the lease at any time with two months' notice, without indemnity if the termination occurs before March 15. In Wallonia, legislation also provides a specific framework for student leases, limiting the duration to a maximum of one year and strictly regulating the reasons for termination (dropping out of studies, death of a parent, etc.) with one or two months' notice depending on the case.

As a host, it is essential to draft a clear lease contract that explicitly references the regional legislation applicable to student housing. The student will generally need to provide proof of their enrollment in an educational institution for this type of specific lease to be applied. Using a platform like Roomlala helps you structure this process in a reassuring way.

Urban planning in Wallonia: the flexibility of the single room

One of the major points of vigilance when talking about creating a student rental concerns urban planning rules. Many homeowners are afraid to get started, fearing heavy and expensive administrative procedures. Fortunately, the law makes a very clear distinction between dividing a house into multiple dwellings and renting a single room in one's home.

In Wallonia, the Code of Territorial Development (CoDT), specifically via its article D.IV.4, brings excellent news for solidarity-minded hosts. The creation of a single room as a student rental in a private home is greatly facilitated legally: it is not subject to an urban planning permit. This means you can start renting almost immediately, without waiting for municipal approval.

However, to benefit from this permit exemption, strict conditions must be met:

• The owner must reside in the dwelling as their primary residence.
• The student tenant must use the common facilities of the house (kitchen, bathroom, main entrance).
• It must only involve a single room rented to one student (the creation of multiple student rentals would require an urban planning and rental permit).

How to succeed in your intergenerational or solidarity-based cohabitation?

The key to success: transparent communication from the start

For the rental of a homestay to take place under the best conditions, preparation is essential. At Roomlala, we always advise taking the time to get to know each other well before signing. During the visit or the prior video call, do not hesitate to ask questions about everyone's rhythm of life. A medical student who studies late at night will have different needs than an art student who makes bulky models.

It is fundamental to establish clear and written common living rules. These rules, which can be attached to the lease contract, must address daily topics:

• The times for using common areas (kitchen, bathroom, washing machine).
• The policy regarding outside visitors (friends, partner).
• The distribution of household chores if the student participates in the maintenance of shared spaces.
• The rules of discretion and respect for everyone's sleep.

Do not forget that kindness must be at the heart of your approach. The student arriving at your place may be leaving the family nest for the first time. A small welcome note, a tour of the neighborhood, or a shared meal on the first evening can make all the difference and establish an immediate climate of trust.

Finally, use a trusted platform. By using Roomlala, owners and tenants benefit from a secure framework, verified profiles, and an internal messaging system allowing you to exchange in complete confidentiality before committing. Faced with the urgency of the 2026 academic year, choosing a homestay means opting for a student housing solution in Belgium that makes sense, combining financial security, respect for the law, and true human solidarity.