The way in which the charges are divided between landlord and tenant is usually laid down in a clause in the lease contract. If this is not the case, the charges are divided according to type: costs and charges relating to the property are borne by the landlord, while those concerning the use and enjoyment of the leased premises are covered by the tenant.
Charges usually paid by the tenant:
- Consumption of water, electricity, heating (if this not settled directly with the supplier)
- Sewer and rubbish collection taxes
- Cost of reading calorimeters
- Telecommunications fees and subscriptions
- Tenant’s own home insurance
And, for apartments:
- Share of the heating, lighting and maintenance of the communal areas (including the caretaker’s salary or the cost of the cleaning service)
- Lift maintenance costs
Charges that must be paid by the landlord:
- Property tax > N.B.: The tenant’s family situation may give the right to a reduction in the property tax in Wallonia and Brussels. Once obtained, the landlord has to reimburse this to the tenant.
- Agency costs (unless the agency is acting on behalf of the tenant)
Charges usually paid by the landlord:
- Communal planted areas, the purchase of a lawnmower or other equipment useful for maintaining a communal garden
- Lift modernisation costs
- Major repairs
- The building insurance premium
What about the costs of the building management agency?
It is not easy to determine who benefits most from the services of the building management agency, the tenant or the landlord... So you may opt to share the costs equally between the two parties or decide that they are to be borne exclusively by the tenant or the landlord. Whatever you do, it is best to set this down clearly in the lease contract.
Source: L’Echo