Housing

1.Start your search as early as possible

Start your accommodation search as soon as you know where and when you'll be going. Student accommodation is in high demand, especially in large university cities.

2.Use available channels

• The international relations department of your host university is a good source of information, can provide you with lists of accommodation in halls of residence or on the private market and can dispense useful advice.
• The Facebook groups for exchange students in the destination city. These groups often offer accommodation listings and advice from other students.
• The Student Associations, especially the Erasmus Student Network if it exists in your destination city. These associations can provide good advice and sometimes contacts for accommodation.

3.Check out student accommodation platforms

The Erasmus Student Network has established partnerships with some platforms.

4.Consider shared accommodation

Do not hesitate to consult sites such as EasyRoommate, Roomster, wg-gesucht...

5.Temporary accommodation

If you haven't found accommodation before you leave, don't forget that hostels are an affordable option for a temporary stay and can serve as a starting point for looking for long-term accommodation.

Another alternative is to rent an AirBnB for a few days, while you find accommodation for a longer period.

Be very careful in your approaches as, unfortunately, scams are always possible.

Look for accommodation in a neighborhood that's not too far from your host institution or close to public transport. This will save you long daily commutes.

Find out about the different neighborhoods in the city to find those that are safe and student-friendly.

Prepare in advance any documents that landlords may ask for, such as student card, Erasmus acceptance letter, ID, bank account number... As in Belgium, it's not uncommon for you to be asked for a financial guarantee or deposit.