For all the buzz that capital cities have to offer, the concentration of financial, commercial, and political headquarters inevitably comes at a price. In almost all areas of daily life, there is a cost penalty to living at the nexus of a nation. And in general, this is (begrudgingly) accepted by the city's residents.
Yet of all the concomitant costs of living in the capital, housing must be the hardest to stomach. For renters, it accounts for the largest drain on income and can literally see us shell out thousands each month for a property that we could only dream of owning.
Meanwhile, landlords in the capital occupy a truly enviable position: not only do they receive a healthy return on their investment but in Brussels, demand is kept high by the swathes of new professionals attracted to Europe's legislative centre. This lowers opposition to raising rent. Too bad if you can't afford it, there will surely be someone to take your place.
The antipathy that many renters feel towards landlords isn't difficult to understand. And will grow as rent soars.
Now the average rental property in Brussels costs over €1,100 per month, an eyebrow-raising figure when we consider that in most cases, this does not include bills. Many property owners have justified rent hikes as a means of keeping in line with inflation. Yet for this to be fair, it would require the tenant also to have a salary raise to the same tune. This is often not the case.
Consequently, those who are renting face a double-crisis: an inflation-induced reduction in purchasing power and a budget squeeze from increased rental costs.
The city has been slow to impose rental controls but must surely act soon if we are to avoid an acute housing crisis.
Has your rent gone up? Let @Orlando_tbt know.
Belgium in Brief is a free daily roundup of the top stories to get you through your coffee break conversations. To receive it straight to your inbox every day, sign up below:
1. Rent in Brussels soars past €1000/month
With inflation and energy costs both rising to unprecedented highs in recent months, landlords are increasingly passing costs on to tenants, resulting in painful rental hikes at times when renters are already bearing the brunt of a cost of living crisis. Read more.
2. From Russia with love: The spy who infiltrated NATO circles
A woman based in Italy, whose social circle included NATO officers, has been revealed to be a Russian spy. Under a false name and posing as a Latin American jewellery designer, she actually worked for Russian military intelligence. Read more.
3. EU prepares reform of electricity market
The European Union is preparing an “emergency intervention and structural reform” of the European electricity market, the functioning of which has been heavily criticised by some EU Member States in the context of rapidly increasing energy prices. Read more.
4. Two Belgian armoured vehicles targeted with Molotov cocktails
Two armoured vehicles belonging to the Belgian military were destroyed on 28 August in the parking lot of Belgian defence manufacturer OIP Sensor Systems in Oudenaarde, Flanders after being targeted with Molotov cocktails, Belgian broadcaster RTBF reports. Read more.
5. New Legoland theme park to open in Belgium by 2027
A new Legoland theme park is expected to open doors near Charleroi Airport by 2027, the Walloon Government announced on Tuesday. Read more.
6. Politicians in Flanders believe voters are more right-wing than they actually are, says study
Flemish politicians across the political spectrum interpret voters' policy preferences as more right-wing than they actually are, reports De Standaard on the results of a new study on political trends in Flanders. Read more.
7. Hidden Belgium: A unique hotel on the Meuse
It all started in 2011 when a group of Brussels friends decided to create the perfect seaside hotel. Read more.
