Familiar with the struggles of securing housing in Leuven? I have got THE BEST GUIDE for renting a dorm in Leuven! Whether you are a new student or you’ve been living in Leuven for a while and are looking for a new place to stay this is for you!
As a former student and current local in Leuven, I understand the challenges of starting student life in a new city. In this guide, I will provide you with essential tips and information to help you navigate the process of renting a dorm in Leuven.
Finding Suitable Housing in Leuven
If you need on where to start looking, definitely check out this post on Finding housing in Leuven: 5 tips on how to find housing.
There are so many housing options in Leuven, sometimes it can even be overwhelming! There are different rules and regulations that you have to comply with and it can be very overwhelming when you have no idea what to look out for.
Choosing a Dorm with the Kotlabel
Aim for dorms with the following Labels:
These labels are called Kotlabels. If while looking for dorms you find one like this on the front of the building
If they have one of the labels that you can see above, you can be assured that the dorm is in order according to the law and the requirements of the KUL. : https://www.kuleuven.be/stuvo/kot/pdf/hvd/criteria-blauw-kotlabel.pdf
https://leuven.be/regels-studentenhuisvesting
Sadly not all dorms have this label, but no worries below you will find the most important things that you have to look out for when renting a dorm in Leuven.
Important Considerations for Renting a Dorm in Leuven
When renting a dorm in Leuven, you have to consider the following areas
Safety wise you need to look out for the following things
- Smoke alarm; it is mandatory that there is a smoke alarm on every floor of the building. It’s the landlord’s obligation to get one for you. Make sure that there’s one in your room.
- An emergency exit nearby, regardless of the floor you’re on, there should be one nearby!
- Housing insurance; ask the landlord if the housing insurance is cleared or if there’s anything that you’ll have to do.
- Proper insulation and a working heating system; in the winter it can be very cold, so it’s important that you have a heating system that works well, but to be able to keep the heating in the room, make sure to check the EPC of the building, if it’s below a C, just know that the insulation might not be that good, which means that you’ll be using more energy to keep yourself warm.
Practicality and Comfort
When renting a dorm in Leuven, there are a couple of practical things you need to consider for your own comfort and maximizing the study effectiveness and efficiency!
- Sink in your room; this saves a lot of time in the morning and during study hours
- Distance from the dorm to your campus
- Does the room come with or without furniture? And which furniture would you need to get extra?
Reviewing the Contract
Importantly, when renting a dorm in Leuven, you’ll have to sign a contract, there will be a lot of things that will be in that contract, but here are the most crucial points that must be stated in every contract that you’ll sign.
- Duration of the contract: start date, end date
- How many months in advance do you have to let them know that you’re moving out (it’s usually 3, but this can vary)
- Is there a possibility to extend the contract to the following year?
- Rent: how much per month, this should be written in both numbers as letters.
- Electricity and water costs: whether they’re included or not. If they ARE included, make sure to ask whether there’s a calculation at the end of the year or not.
- Student tax; it’s usually around 98 euros per year, but do check if you need to pay it or if its included in the rent or downpayment.
- Maintanance; make sure to ask whether there are any maintanance obligations that you have.
- Pre-move-in pictures of the room’s condition
- Shared bathrooms and kitchens: Strategies for managing shared facilities. Is there a cleaner in the building or is maintanance done by the people who live in the building.
Essential Factors to Evaluate when renting a dorm in Leuven
Transportation and Convenience
- Distance from your room to your campus
- Proximity to public transport: Consider the availability of bus stations for time-saving morning commutes.
- Bicycle parking: Most people use bicycles when public transport is not very helpful, but it’s important to know if you can store your bicycle properly
- Distance to a nearby laundry facility: International students may find this particularly useful for time efficiency.
Noise and Disturbance
- Assessing insulation and noise levels: Check for sufficient insulation to minimize neighbor noise disturbance.
- Furniture inclusion: Determine whether the room comes furnished or unfurnished, considering noise levels.
- Proximity to Oude Markt: Understand that living closer to Oude Markt may involve more noise due to the lively atmosphere.
Additional Considerations
- Downpayment: Inquire about the required downpayment and its duration.
- Ventilation: Assess the dorm’s ventilation system, including the availability of air conditioning or a ventilator for extreme weather conditions.
- Parking space availability: While many students in Leuven do not own cars, check for available parking spaces if needed.
- Trust your instincts: If you have a positive feeling about the place, landlord, and area, proceed confidently. However, if doubts persist, take your time to carefully consider before signing a contract.
Checklist you need before renting a dorm in Leuven
All of these things are hard to remember when you go there physically, that’s why I made a dormroom checklist with all the important information that you will need when visiting.
Lastly, another important tip when it comes to renting a dorm in Leuven is to trust your gut feeling: do you have a good feeling about the place, your landlord and the area?
Then say yes, but if there’s still a lot of doubt, do take your time to think everything over before signing a contract!
Choosing the right dormitory in Leuven is crucial for a comfortable and enjoyable student life. By considering the factors mentioned in this guide, you can make an informed decision that suits your needs.
I hope you enjoyed this post on renting a dorm in Leuven, and if you have please don’t be shy and leave a like or a comment! 😉
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Big love,
Joy
