FINDING ACCOMMODATION IN BRUSSELS: HELPFUL

EPHEC
FINDING ACCOMMODATION IN BRUSSELS: HELPFUL INFORMATION AND LINKS
Information on accommodation:
Mr Frédéric Simonis, International Office
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel.: +32.2.775.97.75
What the International Office can do for you:
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We will refer to relevant websites where you can look for accommodation.
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We can help you if you experience problems because of language barriers (newspaper ads, phone
calls in French, etc.) when you have arrived in Brussels at EPHEC.
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We may sometimes be able to put you in touch with EPHEC students who wish to rent their own
room/apartment while going abroad or with former Erasmus students.
Important advice:
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Please note that the housing situation in Brussels is difficult and it takes some time and effort to
secure your accommodation. We therefore invite you to start your research the soonest possible
when your Erasmus nomination is confirmed.
We advise you to budget with a rent from EUR 300 to 500 per month depending on location and
standard.
A deposit is required from most landlords and is normally 2 month’s rent for a room and for an
apartment.
If possible, check out the room or apartment personally. You can also ask if an EPHEC contact can
help you check the room. Use the Facebook forum created for your semester.
You should never send money via Western Union or other private money transfer institutions. Use
only authorised banks for transferring money and ask the landlord to send identification details –
e.g. a copy of a passport.
You should always sign a contract with your landlord. Study the contract carefully and be sure to
check deadlines for how to give notice. If you have any doubt or question about the contract, feel
free to contact Mr Simonis or any person who is able to help you.
Suggestions to where you can look for accommodation:
1. Contact international students who are currently studying at EPHEC (we can give you the list and
contact). Maybe you can take over their accommodation when they leave.
2. Search for accommodation by using the websites below. You should prepare yourself by using the
mini dictionary and getting acquainted with the Brussels area (see enclosed map):
www.vlan.be / www.kot.be / www.brukot.be / www.immoweb.be / www.bdlf.be / www.inforjeunes.be /
www.bruxelles-j.be/ www.bdlf.be/ www.housinganywhere.com/
The Flemish student organisation “Quartier Latin” offers a useful data base of so-called “kots” (student
rooms in Flemish dialect) on www.qlb.be (info in Dutch).
EPHEC
FINDING ACCOMMODATION IN BRUSSELS: HELPFUL INFORMATION AND LINKS
Temporary accommodation for student trainees is proposed on www.traineesinbrussels.be .
3. These websites are in French and Dutch but may still be helpful. Please use the dictionary to check
out the rental offers and ask the International Office if you need help with the French language.
4. Please check below in the “Mini French/English dictionary” if you need help.
Real estate mini-dictionary
French word
Annonce
Description
Caution
Loyer
Appartement, kot
Zone, quartier
À vendre
À louer
propriétaire
Code postal/ville
Type d’appartement
Chambre(s)
Taille, superficie
Type de location
Durée de location
Caution à payer avant d’emménager
Chercher
Meubles
Meublé
Charges (gaz, électricité, etc) exclues
Charges (gaz, électricité, etc) inclues
Salon, pièce de séjour
Chambre à coucher
Fille
Garçon
English word
Ad
Description
Deposit
Rent
Apartment, student room
Area
For sale
For rent
Landlord, owner
Postcode/town
Type of apartment
Room(s)
Size (number of square meters)
Form of renting
Period of renting
Deposit to be paid before moving in
search
furniture
furnished
with payments for gas, electricity, etc
gas, electricity, etc, included
living room
bedroom
girl
boy
Logement à partager
Shared accommodation
Chambre à partager à deux
Shared bedroom
Virement bancaire
Bank transfer
Date d’arrivée/de départ
Arrival/departure date
Nombre de personne(s)
Number of person(s)
Fumeur/non fumeur
Smoker/ non smoker