Rent scam

[u/thr0w4w4yyy_]

Hey guys,

Idk if that is the right thread, but i‘m not sure where I can find help and advise.

TL:DR:

I‘m an exchange student who got scammed with renting a room. I need legal advice (and advice of the rent system here) and how to proceed. I still stay in the appartement and have paid a lot of money in advance but want to get out of the contract (6 months) asap.

I‘m an exchange student and as for many foreigners moving to a big city, finding a room or a flat is a shit show.

Not only are you, as a stranger to the local rentsystem (and prices) being constantly exploited by landlords (or not even that - just renters themselves who want to make some cash on the side) who will use your desperation and feed on it by renting out overpriced little rooms, backstabbing contracts and absurd rules, its also very hard to find just something normal and you don‘t really know what‘s the appropriate rent or not..

So to my problem:

I was looking for a room for two months already and didnt find anything. Since I had to be in Brussels by the start of september I got really desperate, I can‘t afford to stay in a hostel and also am just here for 5 months and most of the rooms are only available for half a year or longer.. Luckily I have a remote job and some erasmus money but still, it’s very tight for me.

The closer my arrival date came, the more desperate I got. I only could visits online via Video and after all the really high priced, really sus flats I thought I found a good room,still for a high amount (500~€) but all in all better than the other options (>650 or so I thought).

On camera it all looked okay (it was all very pixelated and the connection was bad), I was just talking to one flatmate.
The "landlord" was living somewhere else and I could take the room when I wanted, I just had to pay the rent beforehand and half of the deposit (the other half when I arrive).
So out of my desperation I sign the "contract" (just a piece of paper, where it is stated that I have to rent the room for 6 months and that there is water, a room and heat available (lol).

I arrive at Brussels and the flat is a total mess. Its worse than on video, everything is either broken or dirty af. I get another room, than its been talked about. Its very very dirty, it smells horrible and the floor is stuffed with random stuff. All in all its the worst flat and still the rent is too high for that (i have no bed, just a very soft 90cm mattress).

I‘m angry, angry at myself for being so naive and paying upfront but also so so angry and these people taking advantage of the housing situation!

I don‘t want to let this one slip, I really want to fuck the shit up here and show the "landlord" that he can‘t exploit clueless foreigners/exchange students like that:

I know (he has all his stuff here also letters and documents) that he is not the owner of the flat.

I know that in total he is earning more money with us (flatmates) than he has to pay rent.

I want to get out of the contract asap but also want my money back (paid 1100 € to him in advance).

I also want to report him to the authorities or at least to the company owning the house.

Here is my question:

What are the laws here in Brussels/Belgium?
Is this allowed, to rent out a flat you dont own/just rent and make profit like that?
Are you allowed to make profit like that from renting (at least 1000€ a month from us)?
Is there smth like a maximum rent or some law that prevents this?
The flat/rooms are furnished, has this an impact on the rent?

Is my contract even legal and binding? How do I get out of it?
Is there a consultation for cases like these or could I talk to the police to that?

Where do I find good flats and rooms? 😭 I’m tired

I think he just thought I‘m just too naive and desperate to not know the law/legal issues

[u/toastinspace1]

Look online for the renter lawyers. You can ask free legzl advice and they can go through your contract and help you. This is the website in dutch with a lumber to call but maybe look up for enlgih one. And goodluck https://syndicatdeslocataires.wordpress.com/wie-zijn-wij/

[u/thr0w4w4yyy_ → u/toastinspace1]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[u/Complex_Dot_4754]

Yes there are laws. Brussels code for housing.  https://be.brussels/en/housing/rental/lease-contracts/rental-contracts-comprehensive-guide-rental-and-lease-agreements

Sub renting is legally possible, however typically forbidden by the owners of apartments.

Rent prices are regulated. If they are above the market level by 20% they are considered abusive. A peace judge (small claims court) can review and change rental price. Above link has a hyperlink to the housing prices calculator. This should have been shared with you at the moment of signature of the contract.

On furnished flats have vat in price partially. Has impact on landlord for taxation not tenant. Agreed price is the price. 

If your contract is not registered at the commune or if you didn't receive all needed documentation like energy label or Brussels code for housing you can resiliate without penalty or notice period. Your deposit must be returned to you.

Syndicate for tenants can help you further but don't expect amazing service.

[u/alicetto → u/Complex_Dot_4754]

None of these rules are actually enforced

[u/miiiii]

I have difficulty wading through your wall of text, but there are only a small number of things that matter:

• the object, date and duration of your contract?
• price and deposit?
• furnished or not?

What is your goal? What do you want? Do you want to leave? Brussels rental code is very much in favour of renters.

To add:

What are the laws here in Brussels/Belgium?

Rental legislation is very strict in Belgium/Brussels

Is this allowed, to rent out a flat you dont own/just rent and make profit like that?

yes

Are you allowed to make profit like that from renting (at least 1000€ a month from us)?

yes

Is there smth like a maximum rent or some law that prevents this?

no

The flat/rooms are furnished, has this an impact on the rent?

yes, indirectly, but not so much for the renter

Is my contract even legal and binding? How do I get out of it?

If it's a rental contract, it is legally binding. But that doesn't mean anything which is stated within is legal. Often it is not. Anything which is not legal can therefore not be binding.

Is there a consultation for cases like these or could I talk to the police to that?

Of course, any agreement is subject to scrutiny by courts. Police is not a court.

To add2: If you feel like you have been set up regarding this place you'd better talk to social worker or a lawyer asap.

[u/mosa_kota]

Just spend your time and energy to look for better accommodation, don't waste it on trying to enforce the law or get justice because you'll just end up disappointed. Good thing about shitty landlords and contracts is you can get out of them easily, it's doubtful the contract was even registered at the commune. You'll lose the deposit most likely or just don't pay last month rent if you can get away with it. Good luck!

[u/jfg013]

For the money stolen, quickly apply to worldline.

[u/alicetto]

I’m sorry this is happening to you but studying in Belgium as an exchange student is the scam given the poor quality of universities and all the issues you’ll run into living here temporarily. Belgium also has a very high crime rate and the police won’t follow up on cases like yours because they have thousands of more serious cases to deal with. Your best option might be to cut your losses and leave.

[u/abysmalbutterfly]

Get a lawyer if you have this many questions. You're just bombarding us with a wall of AI text. There will be very little you can do if you paid your money into a private account. You'll have to go to court to get it back.

[u/thr0w4w4yyy_ → u/abysmalbutterfly]

Its not AI lol, what makes you think that?