Rental deposits in Flanders: organise the amount and supporting records
A rental deposit is not rent received. For a home in Flanders, first check which tenancy rules apply, then keep a clear record of how the deposit was provided.
Check the date and tenancy type before calculating
This guide concerns private principal-residence tenancies in Flanders. Do not apply these rules automatically to student or commercial leases, or homes in Brussels or Wallonia. For contracts governed by the Flemish decree that took effect on 1 January 2019, the agreed deposit cannot exceed three months’ rent. Vlaanderen states that a deposit is required only when the agreement provides for it. Older contracts need a separate check.
Use a permitted form
The tenant can choose between the forms permitted under the applicable rules. A blocked account is in the tenant’s name; the landlord cannot keep the money in their own account. Article 37 of the decree sets out permitted guarantees and their release. Check the official sources below before drafting a clause or arranging repayment. A software status marked “received” does not by itself prove that the deposit was properly established.
An example of keeping amounts separate
Fictional example: a lease specifies monthly rent of €900 and a deposit of €2,700. The first rent payment settles a due amount; the deposit secures contractual obligations. Keep separate references for each. Record the agreed amount, form, date of supporting evidence and corresponding document. If all you have is an account-opening request, mark the evidence as incomplete rather than treating the deposit as confirmed.
Prepare for the end at the start
Keep the evidence with the lease and signed inventory report. In Proprioo, attach documents to the relevant file and track a missing item with a task. At move-out, retain the account statement and correspondence about the deposit without deleting the original evidence. This helps discussion; it does not determine liability or settle a dispute. Always check the file’s details and applicable rules before taking action.