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Your path to secure housing
KU Leuven does not automatically provide housing; you will need to apply for accommodation yourself using the resources we offer. But don't worry, we have put together a step-by-step guide on how to secure housing at KU Leuven!
- Step 1: Determine the right location for your housing
- Step 2: Consider the rent and check which costs are (not) included
- Step 3: Do your research
- Step 4: Understand all rules and regulations (contract, house rules)
- Step 5: Check the deposit conditions
- Step 6: Contact the landlord and/or apply
- Step 7: Sign the contract
Upon arrival
1. Determine the right location
First check where your KU Leuven programme is organised. The university has several campuses in different cities, so make sure you look for housing in the right city. If for some reason you prefer to be in a different city than where your programme is organised, you can use public transport to commute but we generally recommend looking for housing in the city where your programme is.
2. Consider the rent and check which costs are (not) included
Compare the rental price with other available accommodations and assess whether the rent is in proportion to the room and comfort offered.
Certain costs such as electricity, heating and internet are not always included. Make sure you enquire about this so that you know what the total monthly rent will be.
3. Do your research
In an ideal scenario, we recommend every student to go and view potential rooms before signing anything. However, we understand this is often not possible for international students. Still, we highly recommend doing a bit of online research and a Google Reverse Image search to check the accommodation. Be aware of potential fraud risks. Also compare multiple options to get a good idea of what's available and the price/quality ratio.
Some accommodations (including the university residence halls) have specific application periods, so also check wether your preferred option is available at the time you are applying for housing.
4. Make sure you understand all rules and regulations. Check the contract and house rules
Once you find an accommodation you like, make sure you understand all regulations and check the contract & house rules. Make sure the beginning and end date are clearly mentioned in the contract. Put all arrangements in a written agreement to avoid discussions afterwards.
If the landlord does not provide an English translation you can ask a housing adviser at your local Stuvo for help.
5. Check the deposit conditions
When you conclude a contract, the landlord will ask you to pay a deposit. Your contract should clearly state the deposit amount and how to pay it. A deposit refers to a portion of money used as security or collateral for the delivery of goods. For student accommodation the rental deposit needs to be paid at the earliest three months before the start of the contract. At the end of the lease, if all goes well, you should get your deposit back.
6. Contact the landlord and/or apply
Once you’ve decided on your accommodation, it’s time to contact the landlord and/or submit your application. The procedure will depend on the accommodation of your choice. Some require you to go through an application process, while others just need you to sign the contract.
- Application procedure for university residence halls by Central Services or Stuvo
- Contact the landlord using the contact details you can find on the housing platform of your campus, like Kotwijs for Leuven
7. Sign the contract
When the landlord accepts your candidacy, you can sign the contract. It's important that you actually read the entire contract so you understand your rights and obligations.
We recommend signing a Dutch contract. The English translation is for informational purposes only. If the landlord does not provide an English translation you can ask a Stuvo housing adviser to check the quality of your contract by making an (online) appointment or sending an email with your contract attached.
Need info?
The KU Leuven Stuvo housing advisers can provide information about housing, offer legal advice, help you with problems, and mediate in rental disputes, if necessary. You can find their contact details on the info page of your campus.