pre arrival guide 2021

8 We are happy to provide you with some useful information to start your search for suitable accommodation. Rental price The average price for a student room with a shared bathroom and a shared kitchen is €390 per month. The average price for a studio with a private bathroom and/or a private kitchen is €450 per month. In most cases costs like internet, water, gas, electricity and heating are not included. Your landlord can charge a fixed amount for utilities such as heating, electricity, water etc. or work with a provisional charge. The provisional charge is paid in advance and actual usage amounts are calculated at the end of the lease. Avoid any nasty surprises and make sure you clarify with your landlord which of these two systems will be applied before you sign a lease. Kotweb, THE accommodation database Kotweb offers the largest range of student accom- modation in Antwerp. It is a unique initiative between the city of Antwerp, higher education institutions in Antwerp and STAN, Antwerp’s student portal. Together we strive for high-quality student accommodation in Antwerp and provide information to students and owners. The city of Antwerp monitors the quality of all Antwerp student properties; after a positive inspection, a property receives a green quality label from the city which can only be found on Kotweb. We advise you to search for an accomodation with green quality label and a model lease. Deposit/Guarantee A deposit is maximum two months’ rent and has to be paid by bank transfer. You cannot pay a deposit in cash. Don’t pay rent or deposit through Western Union. A deposit is not a way to pay your last month’s rent. At the end of your contract you will get your deposit back if the state of the room is well maintained and all bills have been paid. Your rental agreement According to the Belgian law you need to sign the Dutch version of the rental agreement. Ask for an English translation and keep in mind that you are legally responsible for what you sign. Kotweb pro- vides a model lease in Dutch, with an English trans- lation that students are recommended to use. Student housing