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"Reprise de bail" - 1 year lease
Hello,
I will be in Brussels very soon for a 5 month traineeship. I am currently in search of accommodation. I 'm not really a colocation person and I'm looking for a flat, but it's been very hard to find something short-term. I really hope to find a job immediately after my traineeship and stay in Brussels (European Affairs is my field of studies) but nothing is certain yet. However, during my search, people have mentioned that it is quite common to sign a 1-year contract and promise the landlord to help him find a new tenant if you need to leave earlier (reprise de bail). Is this procedure provided by law or just an oral agreement? Should such an agreement be explicitly included in the contract? What is exactly the reprise of bail and how it works? Should I take such a "risk"? What's the worst thing that can happen? Thank you
Do not sign a 1-year lease unless you are 100% prepared to pay the full year.
Do not agree to anything that involves a 3rd party you have never met. (i.e. new tenant).
Do NOT take this risk.
"Should I take such a "risk"?
No you shouldn't.
You can find plenty of aparthotel type accommodation in Brussels. Stay there initially, they are easy to find, and easy to book.
Then use something like AirBnB to find a more permenant stay
Once you've finished your traineeship, and found a job, and worked past the 6 month trial period, then think about getting a flat of your own.
Little steps at a time.
What's the worst thing that can happen?
You sign a 1 year unbreakable agreement and end up paying 7 months for accommodation that you do not occupy.
The landlord agrees verbally to allow you to find a new tenant. You find said tenant. The landlord tells you that the new tenant is not acceptable but then signs them up as soon as you leave having paid 7 month's rent for nothing and having found a new tenant for the landlord.
In fairness, even if you can get a 'new tenant' agreement written into your contract (extremely unlikely), the landlord might perfectly legitimately refuse to accept anyone whom you find.
AirBnB is the way to go.
There are residences that offer kind of semi hotel where yobhave small
Kitchen and they clean once a week try looking at this as a way to go
Rather than an apartment maybe
Even if you sublet afterwards and the new tenants does not pay, you will remain liable.....also for all damages done to the flat after you departated..
DO NOT DO THIS
