Ghent Cracks Down on Students Illegally Sharing Housing
From 1 January 2026, the city of Ghent will introduce targeted checks on students suspected of illegally sharing accommodation.
Students are only allowed to rent an apartment or family home if they are also registered as living there, which is often not the case.
- The city will write to owners of properties where no domicile has been registered.
- If students are found to be living there, they will have to leave.
- The city will urge the owner to let the property to a family.
Ghent is in need of extra housing for families, with a study from 2023 showing that by 2040, the city could have 20,000 additional households.
New housing will have to be built, but the city council is also considering other options, such as registering students in family homes.
Registration is mandatory in flats or houses, but not in student accommodation.
Author's summary: Ghent introduces checks on students illegally sharing housing.