Renting at Brik

• What types of rooms does Brik rent out?

Brik rents out furnished student rooms in the center of Brussels. We distinguish between 4 types:

• Room = standard student room – kitchen, shower and toilet are shared with roommates
• Room PLUS = student room with private shower – kitchen and toilet are shared with roommates
• Studio = student room with private shower and kitchenette – toilet is shared with roommates (unless stated otherwise)
• Shared studio: Shared studio for 2 students.

In addition, Brik rents out a number of (unfurnished) flats for young graduates.

• Am I eligible for a student room at Brik?

Brik rents out student rooms and studios to students from partner institutions. To rent a room at Brik you must be registered with one of the partner institutions. The partnerships institutions are: VUB, Erasmushogeschool Brussel, LUCA – School of Arts, Odisee, KU Leuven – Campus Brussel and KU Leuven – Campus Sint-Lucas Brussel.

• Can I view the rooms?

Yes, that’s possible! Brik encourages new tenants to visit a student room before signing a contract. That way you won’t be faced with any surprises afterwards. In the summer, Brik organizes Kottours several times a week along the available rooms.

• Can I also visit rooms outside the Kottours?

During the summer months, the rooms are only visited during the planned Kottours. In this way we limit the number of visits and we can guarantee the tranquility of the current tenants. If there are still rooms available during the academic year, you can always contact Brik to arrange a visit.

• Can I take an option on a room?

No. Brik works according to the principle: first come, first served. Priority is given to those who first come to sign the contract for a room at Brik’s office. No rooms can be reserved.

• I still have to pass an entrance exam before I can start my education. Can I rent a Brik room only after that?

As soon as our rental season starts, we recommend that you secure a room. Students who still have to take an admission test in August or September and who fail to do so, can cancel up to 1 week before the start of the lease at an administrative cost of €100.

• Am I eligible for a Flat from Brik?

Brik rents out a number of flats for young graduates (FJA) in the center of Brussels. Graduates from partner institutions are given priority.

• I’m trying to create an account, but my educational institution isn’t listed. What now?

You can select a different setting, so that you can see all the information about the premises and rooms. Check whether you are eligible to rent a room at Brik – these rooms are reserved for students from partner institutions.

• Do you have more pictures of the rooms?

For the rooms that Brik rents out, all photos are on MyKot. For rooms that are rented out by private landlords, you can always inquire about this with the mentioned contact person. Don’t forget: A picture is only a picture. To get a real image of the room, make the time to visit.

To get a complete picture of the room, make the time to visit.

• Are additional costs (water, electricity, gas, internet…) included in the price?

No. The price stated on MyKot is the net rental price. Be sure to check which (fixed or variable) costs are added to this.

• Is room… still available?”

During the rental season, the website is updated daily. In principle, if the room is listed on MyKot, it is available.

However we can’t exclude that some landlords don’t update their room-offer regularly. Best always to check with the landlord if the room is really still available, especially in busy times like the summer period.

Questions about your rental contract

• Can I domicile in my room?

No. It is not allowed to domicile in a student flat within a rental agreement. An exception can only be made if you, as a student, can demonstrate a special interest and give the landlord written permission.

• Can I cancel my contract early?

If you want to cancel your contract, you have to let Brik know by registered letter. The rental regulations for student rooms in Brussels provide the option for students to terminate the rental contract prematurely, subject to a notice period of 2 months. The notice period will commence on the first day of the month following the month in which the registered notice of termination was received.

Example: cancellation letter sent by registered mail in May ? The notice period runs during the month of June and July.

Do you want to leave your room faster? Please always contact Brik to check the possibilities.

• Can I sublet my room during the summer months?

The lease only allows subletting after written approval from Brik. Permission will only be given if you sublet to a student from a partnership institution, who agrees to Brik’s house rules.

Please note: As a tenant you remain responsible for the actions and possible damage caused by this person. You also continue to pay the rent.

We recommend that you conclude a contract with your subtenant yourself. You can use Brik’s model contract for this.

• Can I collect my key before September 15th?

No Unfortunately. The days before key collection, we work hard to check all rooms and make the necessary repairs. Everything so that you can move into your room from September 15!

• My lease is coming to an end. Can I extend my rental contract with Brik?

If you rented a room at Brik in the past year, we ask you to let us know before May 31 whether you want to conclude a new contract with Brik or not. As a Brik tenant, you also get the first choice to change rooms.

Questions about your payment

• When do I have to pay my rent?

The first month’s rent is paid immediately upon signing your contract. Afterwards, the rent must always be paid monthly, at the beginning of the rental month.

How can I pay my rent?

You can transfer the rent to the bank account number stated in your contract or you can pay at our office with Bancontact, Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Maestro,…

• What costs are included in the rental price?

The net rent of your student room includes the rent of the (furnished) room and the use of the common parts. In addition, Brik’s DIY and cleaning team is also ready for repairs and maintenance of the buildings.

An additional monthly fee is charged for internet, water and energy. At the end of the lease, a settlement is drawn up based on the actual measured consumption.

• Can I pay with cash?

Preferably not. We try to avoid having cash at our office.

• What additional costs do I still have to pay?

The net rental price of your student room/studio is calculated without costs for internet and utilities. A monthly fixed cost is charged for internet, and an advance for the consumption of energy and water. At the end of the academic year, a settlement is made based on the actual consumption measured. You will receive this statement on November 15 at the latest.

• How is my energy consumption calculated?

The costs for energy are settled at the end of your rental contract based on the actual measured consumption.

The method of measurement differs per student house: individual meters that measure the electricity consumption per room, calorimeters that divide the heat costs per radiator, or a combination of both. The costs for hot and cold water are usually shared among all residents. In the rental agreement you can see which counters are individual.

The energy costs for common areas are divided based on the type of your student room – as a tenant of a studio you do not pay energy costs for the communal kitchen.

You can consult the meter reading of your room in the meter cupboard in your building. By consciously dealing with the consumption of energy and water, you can already save a lot on your bill. Turn off electrical appliances when you don’t need them. Turn off the heating when you leave your room.

More tips and info at brik.be/KiloWattKot

• When will my deposit be refunded?

Your deposit will be refunded at the latest two months after the end of your rental contract.

Questions about your student house

• What furniture do I have to provide for a room at Brik?

The rooms that Brik rents out (Long Stay) are furnished. A bed with slatted base, a wardrobe, a desk, an office chair, a bookcase and a chair are always present. You must provide a mattress (90×200 cm) and bed linen yourself.

• Can I put my own furniture in the room?

Yes that is allowed. You may also replace the existing furniture provided by Brik with your own furniture, if you wish. You must then arrange a storage place for the Brik furniture yourself, and ensure that they are returned to the room in the same condition at the end of your rental period. Storing removed furniture from your room in the communal areas or basement is NOT allowed.

• Can I put a fridge/microwave/cooker in my room?

No. For safety reasons, it is not allowed to simply place additional electrical apparels in your room if no cooking facilities are provided in the room. The communal kitchens are equipped for cooking.

If you do want to install a refrigerator or other electrical apparel, you must explicitly request permission from Brik.

• Can I do the laundry in my room?

There is no possibility to wash clothes in the room. Fortunately, there are plenty of laundromats available, scattered in the city center.

Two exceptions:

The rooms at Duivenkotstraat 3 and Zavelput 20 are equipped with washing and drying machines for which you have to pay a small fee before using it.

• Can I paint the walls of my room?

Yes that is allowed. At the end of your rental period, the walls must be left clean and white again.

• Is there (wireless) internet in my room at Brik?

Brik provides wireless internet in all student rooms. A fee of EUR 15.00 per month will be charged for this (EUR 25.00 euro in case you rent the room with 2 persons), which has to be transferred together with the rent.

• Is my student house fireproof?

The safety of Brik’s student houses was tested against the regulations of the Brussels fire brigade.

All student houses have the necessary fire extinguishers and emergency lighting. These are checked annually for proper functioning.

There is a fire detector in all student rooms and common areas. The central fire detection systems are checked annually.

Always inform Brik in the event of a fire alarm, a malfunction of the installation or a defective fire extinguisher. In this way fire safety can always be guaranteed.

• Do I still have to take out insurance for my student room?

Brik’s buildings are insured against fire. As a tenant you are responsible for the insurance of your personal household effects, with waiver of recourse against Brik. This insurance may be provided by an extension of your parents’ existing fire policy.

• Can I receive guests in my room?

It is allowed to receive visitors in your student house and in your room, but as a tenant you are always responsible for the behavior of the people you allow in your student house. Remember to keep the peace in (the vicinity of) your student house, and not to make any noise after 10 pm.

It is not allowed to let guests stay in your room for several days without explicit permission from Brik.

• Can I organise a party in my room?

No student life without a party.

But it is not allowed to organize parties in the student houses of Brik. Only in this way can we keep the peace of neighbors and roommates, and avoid nuisance or inconvenience. Fortunately, there are plenty of places in Brussels where you can throw a party with your friends.

• Can I keep pets in my room?

No. Pets are not allowed in Brik’s rooms.

• Is there a TV connection in the room?

There is no TV connection on Brik’s rooms. When the infrastructure is in place, you as a tenant can contact a provider yourself to arrange a connection.

• Is there a bicycle shed in the room?

Several Brik houses have space to store your bicycle. Check the information on MyKot for this.

Repairs & complaints

• Help, I forgot my key!

Please contact Brik during office hours. At an administrative cost, you will receive a spare key. NB! If you do not return the original key together with the spare key at the end of the contract, the lost key and/or badge will be kept at the cost of your deposit.

Even outside office hours, Brik’s permanent service remains available to open your room door. Please note: this service is not free. The costs of this intervention will be invoiced.

• Repair request

You may be able to bring in a new lamp yourself. The handymen from Brik are available for further technical assistance. Report your problem and your room number to Brik – by telephone or by email.

Is the Brik Office closed? First consider whether you cannot wait until Brik’s is open during office hours.

A change of lamp might not be as urgent as a leak for example.

Really an emergency? Then call the number of the permanent service.

• Who can I contact in case of nuisance?

Are you bothered by your neighbours? Most of the time, the nuisance is unintentional. Just knock on their door and have a friendly chat. This often solves the problem. Will the nuisance continue? You can report the nuisance to the house responsible of your building and to Brik.

In extreme and repeated cases, you can always contact the local police.

• A complaint about Brik’s service?

We do our utmost best to provide you with a good service. Did something not go as planned? Be sure to contact Brik for a complaint about the handling of your case, the intervention of the handyman service, or the service of the cleaning team. We strive to resolve complaints to your satisfaction.

Repairs & complaints

• Need a repair?

A malfunction or defect in your student house? Please contact your landlord in the first instance. The contact details are stated on your rental contract.

• Does my room meet the quality standards for a student room?

The rooms on brik.mykot.be were tested against the applicable standards for student rooms in the Brussels-Capital Region. Do you doubt the conformity of your student room? Contact Brik’s private accommodation point.

E – marc@brik.be

T – +32(0)2 629 23 23

• Do you have a complaint about a private landlord?

Did you rent a student room via the kotzoeker brik.mykot.be and do you have a disagreement with your landlord or doubts about your lease? We are happy to help you through Brik’s private kotenpunt.

E – marc@brik.be

T – +32(0)2 629 23 23