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Calling all international students and local residents dreaming of studying in Leuven, Belgium! This post will definitely help you find the perfect housing. As you might know, finding housing in Leuven has never been easy. After living in Leuven for a couple of years and recently having to move, I found out how hard it can actually be.
Although it has been said that Leuven has too many koten, also known as student housing, it is known that most years there aren’t enough. Especially the ones with a decent price tag.
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Amongst the many student homes in Leuven, there are quite a few that are a scam and that you have to watch out for. There are a number of things that you have to consider while making the big decision to live by yourself for a couple of years, depending on how long your course takes to complete.
In this post I will share 5 tips inlcuding links on how to find the perfect housing in Leuven for you.
1. University housing in Leuven
Try and find housing with the university that you’re at. KU Leuven and UCLL have quite a lot of sponsored rooms and studios that are of good quality and have decent prices according to your status.The application process usually starts around March or April, so don’t forget to hand in the right documentation before the deadlines.
It would also be a good thing to check out student finance, to make sure that you’re getting the best rates.
If you can’t get a dorm from the KU Leuven, definitely check out the private market here:
Check out the KU Leuven website for KU Leuven accomodation:
2. Facebook groups
There are various facebook groups that promote lots of housing options in Leuven. On these pages there are often rooms and studios that aren’t always on the online student housing websites. If you wish to cohouse with other students, it’s usually the best place to find such homes and talk to the people that are there to find a match.
Some good Facebook groups are the following:
3. Start looking on time
The best period to start looking for housing in Leuven for the beginning of the academic year is March, April & May. That is the best time to catch some early bird good places. People who know for sure that they are going to end their contract over the summer usually post their dorms online during that time.
August, I know many people will say it’s stressful, which it is, but sometimes you might be able to find a gem for a good price. This is also the time when recent graduates or renovated dorms are posted online. So, it’s a good moment to check it out then.
In September, the people who graduate late or have decided to stop their studies usually post around this time. September is a very risky time period to start looking, so if you do have enough time I’d advise against it, but if you just found out last minute that you have to move, then it’ll be best to keep an eye on multiple platforms at the same time; facebook groups, housing websites, etc.
When looking during this period be careful not to end up too far from your campus. Luckily, Leuven is very small so you can get everywhere fairly easily, but do try to stay within the ring. Unless you mainly have classes on campus Arenberg. Then I’d advise you to look in Heverlee.
If you’re only starting school in the second semester it’s best to start looking in mid October. There are usually students who are renting their rooms for the second semester due to internships, a semester abroad, early graduation, etc.
If you’re wondering what to look for while looking for a dorm, get your free checklist here! It has everything on it, so that you can compare various dorms to find the perfect one for you
4. Visit open house moments
A picture can do a lot, yes, but it’s always best, if possible of course, to go and visit the place you’re considering renting. The market for housing is extremely competitive, especially at the beginning of the year, so it’s quite important that you already know what type of a place you want before you go to look, so that you can give them feedback almost immediately. If you’re not sure what you definitely need in housing in Leuven, check out this post.
If you can’t visit the housing beforehand, check out this post for questions you must ask them before signing any contract.
5. Student housing agencies
If the options above have not worked for you at all, it’s best to check out student housing agencies. They usually have a broad assortment of housing in Leuven and they can help you find good and comfortable housing within the city. Those housing facilities usually also include fancier facilities, such as TV rooms, gyms, table tennis tables, a lounge/ communal study area. Do take note that those fancier facilities come with a price.
Here are a few agencies & websites that you can check out as well:
I hope you enjoyed this post, and if you have please don’t be shy and leave a like or a comment! 😉
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Big love,
Joy
