In addition, the shortage of kots aggravates the situation by pushing prices up. A room with a shared bathroom today costs on average 480 euros per month, while a room with a private bathroom reaches 565 euros. Private studios peak at 675 euros, or even 780 euros in Brussels, where the pressure on the market is even greater.
Inflation in line with rents
This increase of 21% in four years corresponds to general inflation, which reached 20.6% between September 2020 and the start of the 2024 academic year. But these increases therefore place a heavy burden on the shoulders of students, already affected by the rising cost of living. “A survey of 1,500 students reveals that a third of them have difficulty paying their rent”notes the expert from Stadim. And this, despite the gradual implementation of fixed rates for charges, which offer greater clarity, but leave little room for negotiation.
For young people, renting a property means losing money
It is also interesting to note that according to the survey, energy efficiency is still not among students’ priorities when choosing their accommodation, despite the fact that this could slightly reduce the cost of utilities. “This could change in the coming years as the financial pressure linked to charges becomes unsustainable“, estimates Arne Hermans, founder of Diggit StudentLife. But for the moment, most Belgian kots do not stand out for their energy performance.
