I'm trying to find an apartment for September and the prices have gone crazy compared to last year. Landlords are asking for insane guarantees and want income that's at least 3x the rent minimum. Is that stuff still negotiable or has it become the standard everywhere in Belgium?
It's tight but not impossible, you just can't wait until September to start looking. The strict criteria (3x the rent, huge deposits) have become the norm with agencies, but independent landlords will sometimes negotiate, especially if you show you're serious right now. Brussels is expensive everywhere, yeah, but there are still 2-bedroom apartments at reasonable prices if you're not just looking in the center or the trendy neighborhoods. Start applying now even for September, and try to contact landlords directly rather than going through an agency if you can.
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