Student housing
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1. Before starting your search
Start your search early
Student accommodation can fill up quickly, especially before the start of the academic year. We recommend starting your search as soon as possible after receiving your letter of admission.
Find your student accommodation in Hasselt, Diepenbeek or Genk
Looking for accommodation during your studies at UHasselt?
UHasselt does not manage student accommodation itself. Instead, we help you find suitable housing through Kotatlimburg, the official housing database with more than 2500 student rooms and studios offered by private landlords in Hasselt, Diepenbeek and Genk.
Why use the housing database kotatlimburg?
For every room or studio, you can check whether the landlord has:
- an operating licence or conformity certificate
- an EPC certificate
- a recent fire department inspection report
- valid fire insurance
The housing service checks these documents every year.
Landlords who advertise through Kotatlimburg are required to use the Flemish model tenancy agreement for student rentals (except for doctoral researchers).
Students renting through Kotatlimburg can also benefit from free tenant liability insurance after providing a copy of their rental contract (except doctoral researchers).
What type of accommodation can I rent?
Student room
A student room usually consists of a private bedroom with shared facilities such as:
- kitchen
- bathroom
- toilet
Studio
A studio is a self-contained unit with:
- private living and sleeping area
- private bathroom
- private kitchen or kitchenette
Important to know
Most student accommodations are intended for one person only.
Family members, partners or friends who are not students are usually not permitted to live permanently in the accommodation. Always check the landlord's rules before signing a contract.
If you are searching for a stay with your family you better search for a furnished apartment or studio on websites from real estate agencies or online property platforms, such as Immoweb, Immoscoop, Immovlan or Realo.
How much does student accommodation cost?
The average rental price in the region is €400 per month for a student room and €510 per month for a studio.
Average monthly rent by city
Diepenbeek
- Room: €345
- Studio: €490
Hasselt
- Room: €460
- Studio: €565
Genk
- Room: €385
- Studio: €470
Always verify which costs are included in the advertised rent and which costs will be charged separately.
Additional costs may include:
- electricity
- heating
- water
- internet
Choosing a location
Most students choose accommodation in the city where they have most of their classes. If you are unsure about your main campus, contact your faculty for advice.
Hasselt and Diepenbeek are located close to each other and are easily connected by public transport or by bicycle. Many students therefore choose accommodation in either city, regardless of whether they study mainly in Hasselt or Diepenbeek.
Students looking for accommodation in Genk should take into account that commuting times are generally longer than between Hasselt and Diepenbeek.
Short-term accommodation
Are you only staying for a limited period?
You can consult the list of sublets on our website. Sublets are often a good solution for:
- exchange students
- internship periods
- temporary stays
- students arriving during the academic year
2. Before contacting a landlord
Check what is included
Read the listing carefully and pay attention to:
- room size
- furnishings
- private or shared bathroom
- private or shared kitchen
- …
What is included in a furnished room?
Most rooms are furnished.
Typical furniture includes:
- bed frame
- desk
- chair
- wardrobe
Items that are often not included:
- mattress
- bedding
- towels
- cookware
- kitchen utensils
- cutlery
Always confirm with the landlord exactly what is provided.
If a mattress is not included, you can ask the landlord whether one can be provided.
Many international students are unfamiliar with Flemish student housing.
Please note that:
- bidets are generally not available
- air conditioning is uncommon
- washing machines are not available in every building
Contact landlords directly
Once you find accommodation that interests you, contact the landlord directly. A phone call is often the fastest way to receive a response and arrange a viewing.
The landlord's contact details can be found in each accommodation listing.
3. Before signing a contract
For many international students, renting accommodation in Belgium is a new experience.
Rental agreements
Take sufficient time to read the tenancy agreement before signing.
Important:
- Only the Dutch version of the contract is legally signed.
- The English version is provided for information purposes only.
- Make sure you understand all conditions before signing.
Once a contract has been signed, it cannot easily be cancelled.
Cancelling before the start date
You may terminate the contract free of charge up to three months before the start date.
If you cancel less than three months before the start of the tenancy, you will generally have to pay compensation equal to two months' rent.
Rental deposit
A rental deposit of two months' rent is required.
Most landlords request the deposit when the contract is signed.
However, the deposit may only be requested within the three months preceding the start of the tenancy.
At the end of the contract, the deposit will normally be refunded if:
- there is no damage to the accommodation
- all financial obligations have been fulfilled
The refund is typically processed within three months after the end of the tenancy.
4. During your stay
Use energy responsibly
To avoid unexpected costs at the end of your tenancy:
- monitor your electricity consumption
- use water responsibly
- understand how utility costs are calculated
High consumption can result in additional charges when the final settlement is made.
Ventilate your room
Proper ventilation helps prevent moisture and mould problems.
We recommend:
- opening the window regularly
- ventilating after showering
- allowing fresh air into the room daily
Do not dry laundry inside your room. Use a laundromat or designated laundry facilities whenever possible.
Waste sorting in Belgium
Waste is sorted separately in Belgium.
Common examples include:
- Blue bag: plastic packaging, metal packaging and beverage cartons
- Yellow bag: food waste
- Green bag: garden waste
- Grey bag or container: residual household waste
- Glass container: glass bottles and jars
- Separate paper and cardboard collection
Your municipality or landlord can provide local waste collection information.
5. Beware of scams
Only use trusted housing platforms and remain cautious when renting accommodation online.
Be especially careful when:
- a landlord asks for money before providing clear information
- the accommodation seems unrealistically cheap
- communication appears suspicious
- the property cannot be viewed
We strongly recommend using accommodation listed in the official Kotatlimburg database.
If you are unsure about a specific offer, contact the Housing Service before making any payments.