New Brussels Rules on Pets in 2024: What Do They Mean for Renters?

Starting from November 1, 2024, new regulations in the Brussels-Capital Region will affect pet ownership in rental properties. These changes impact both new leases and lease renewals, creating a significant shift in tenants' rights. But what exactly do these new rules entail, and how do they differ from regulations in other regions of Belgium? In this article, we explain the key aspects of the new rules.

What’s Changing in Brussels?

As of November 1, 2024, landlords in Brussels can no longer automatically include a clause in rental agreements that prohibits tenants from keeping pets. This means that tenants are no longer automatically restricted from having pets, unless there are valid reasons to prohibit them. However, landlords can still set conditions, such as ensuring that the pets do not cause nuisance or display aggressive behavior. Additionally, landlords may limit the number or types of pets allowed, as long as there are reasonable grounds for doing so.

This change marks an important step towards granting more freedom for tenants who wish to have pets, while still offering landlords protection against potential nuisances or damages.

How Does it Work in Other Regions?

In Flanders and Wallonia, the situation is slightly different. Here, if the rental agreement does not specify anything about pets, tenants are generally allowed to have pets. However, there are certain conditions: the pet must not be dangerous or cause any disruption, and the tenant is responsible for any damage caused by the pet to the property. This provides tenants in these regions with a good deal of freedom, but it's still important to consider the specific terms of the lease and the local regulations.

Prohibition in the Lease Agreement: What Are the Options?

Although landlords in Flanders and Wallonia cannot generally impose an outright ban on pets, there are situations where such a ban might be permissible. For instance, landlords can prohibit pets in the lease if there are justifiable reasons, such as luxury materials in the property that could be damaged by animals or if the space is simply too small to accommodate a pet comfortably.

Conclusion: What Does This Mean for Tenants and Landlords?

The new Brussels rules give tenants more room to keep pets, as long as no nuisance or damage occurs. This is a welcome change for many people who don't want to give up their pets. For landlords, it's important to establish clear guidelines regarding pet ownership in the lease agreement to avoid potential conflicts. In Flanders and Wallonia, the regulations are more flexible, but specific conditions can still be set based on the situation. Therefore, it’s essential for both tenants and landlords to be well-informed about the regulations and the terms of their lease agreements.