Brussels [1], the heart of the European Union, welcomes thousands of newcomers every year: colleagues arriving to take up positions in the institutions. For many, across all Commission sites[1], securing a place to live is one of the first and most critical challenges they face[2]. However, navigating the complex rental system, understanding legal rights and obligations, and dealing with landlords who may not always act in good faith often turn what should be a straightforward process into a stressful and costly ordeal.
As Generation 2004, we believe that the European institutions should do more [2] to support staff in protecting their rights as tenants and ensuring they are not left vulnerable in an imbalanced rental market that often favours landlords over tenants.
The Challenges Faced by our Newcomers colleagues in many a Rental Market
- The “État des Lieux” (Entry Inspection Report) – A Hidden Trap
When renting an apartment in Brussels [3] (or Luxembourg [4] and elsewhere), tenants are required to conduct an “État des Lieux”, a detailed inspection of the property at the time of move-in, which must then be attached to the rental contract. What many newcomers to Brussels do not know is that there, they are legally entitled to hire their own expert to conduct this inspection—not just accept the one appointed by the landlord.
Without an independent expert:
- Tenants may miss critical details that could later be used against them.
- Some landlords work with experts who favour them, leading to inflated claims of damages when the lease ends.
- The inspection report should always include photographs, yet some tenants do not know to insist on this.
To avoid disputes at the end of the lease, it is essential that tenants hire their own independent expert and ensure that the initial and final inspections are conducted fairly.
- Understanding Lease Obligations – What’s the Tenant’s Responsibility vs. the Landlord’s?
Another frequent challenge for newcomers is understanding what falls under their responsibility and what should legally be handled by the landlord.
- Many tenants unknowingly pay for repairs that should have been covered by the landlord.
- For example, pipe repairs and major infrastructure issues are the landlord’s responsibility, yet some landlords try to shift these costs to tenants who are unaware of their rights.
- The rental contract must be reviewed carefully, but newcomers often don’t know that the Welcome Office can do this for them [3].
- The Rental Deposit – Protecting Tenants from Unfair Practices
A rental deposit, in Brussels and elsewhere, is typically equivalent to two or three months’ rent[3], meaning tenants must set aside thousands of euros at the start of their lease. While the law in Brussels[4] requires that these funds be placed in a blocked account (compte bloqué) in the tenant’s name—ensuring both parties must agree to its release—many landlords:
- Hold the deposit themselves, giving tenants no control over their money.
- Open the account in their own name, preventing tenants from accessing accrued interest.
- Work with experts who exaggerate damages at the end of the lease to justify withholding a significant portion of the deposit.
Without proper guidance, tenants fall into these traps, losing part of their deposit unfairly.
Why This Matters: The Impact on Staff and the Institutions
Many rental markets are structured in favour of landlords, leaving newcomers with limited protections. This does not only affect individual tenants—it impacts the reputation of the European institutions as an employer: hence the suggested Commission contract for Brussels [3].
- Who would want to relocate to a city where rental scams and unfair landlord practices are common?
- How does this affect the motivation and well-being of staff, particularly in their first months of employment?
- Should European institutions not provide better resources to protect their employees?
At Generation 2004, we believe it is time for the European Commission to take concrete steps to support staff and ensure they are informed and protected when renting, particularly in Brussels.
Generation 2004’s Proposals for a Self-Defense Mechanism for Tenants
To empower staff and protect their rights, we propose the creation of a self-defence capability system that would provide newcomers with the tools, contacts, and knowledge necessary to navigate the rental market safely.
We urge the European Commission to implement the following measures:
✅ A Pool of Trusted Experts – Establish a list of reliable, independent experts who can conduct the État des Lieux fairly, ensuring that tenants are not disadvantaged.
✅ A Testimony-Based Information Pool – Create a database of real experiences shared by staff who have faced rental challenges, helping newcomers identify problematic landlords and rental agencies (taking its already-existing standard tenancy contract one step further [3])
✅ Legal Support Specialized in Tenancy Law – The Commission’s Welcome Office should expand its already-existing provision of access to legal professionals to check your rental contract [3], ensuring that tenants fully understand their contracts and rights before signing.
✅ A Platform on MyIntracomm – Develop a dedicated space on MyIntracomm where staff can:
- Find vetted legal contacts for rental disputes.
- Access step-by-step guides on rental procedures, legal rights, and common pitfalls.
- Learn from the experiences of other colleagues who have faced similar issues.
✅ A Clear Agreement with Ethical Landlords – The European Commission could establish partnerships with trusted landlords who commit to fair rental practices, offering a secure rental network for staff.
It’s Time to Protect Our Colleagues – And the Reputation of the EU
Brussels and other sites are home to large expatriate communities, yet their rental markets remains notoriously difficult for newcomers. Without proper protections, tenants—especially those coming from abroad—face unnecessary financial losses and stress.
By implementing these measures, the European Commission can:
- Enhance the relocation experience for newcomers.
- Protect its staff from exploitation.
- Strengthen Commission sites’ reputations as welcoming, fair, and supportive places to live.
Generation 2004 is committed to ensuring that our colleagues are equipped with the knowledge and resources they need to rent confidence. We will continue advocating for better institutional support, increased legal awareness, and fair rental practices.
If you have experienced difficulties with your landlord or rental agency, we invite you to share your story with us. Together, we can create a system that ensures no colleague is left unprotected in the current housing market.
As always, we would love to hear from you. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us [5] or leave a comment below.
If you appreciate our work, please consider becoming a member of Generation 2004 [6].
[1] Detailed English language tenant’s rights brochures were produced via the 2012-2015 Tenancy Law and Housing Policy in Multi-level Europe [7] project: check out Europe [8], Italy [9], Spain [10], the Netherlands [11], Germany [12] and France [13]. They are exceptionally well written and contain terminology and translations for each country.
[2] Check this Brussels guide [14] from the Parliament and the Tenant’s rights brochure for Belgium [15], know your rights!
[3] In Luxembourg the state can help you with a rental deposit [16] and the law was recently changed to cap deposits at 2 months’ rent: see RTL New rent and lease law takes effect on 1 August [17]. Check also the Tenant’s rights brochure for Luxembourg [18], know your rights! Finally, please make use of the legal advice on offer via the state [19].
[4] In Luxembourg there are many different options for the deposit, including a dedicated bank account. Check out the options [20].