What is this website about ?

 

KotMatch.com is a service by LAIS vzw, a Belgian non-profit organization that promotes international exchange and assists mobile students. ​It is a free matching platform designed for students heading abroad for an internship or Erasmus, and international students coming to Belgium for a short-term stay. 

​Departing students can list their rooms during their absence. Incoming exchange students, in turn, can book these available student rooms for a semester or less.

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What is sublease ?

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Subletting means the original tenant (who holds the rental agreement with the landlord) rents their accommodation to a third person (the subtenant). ​In the Flemish Region of Belgium, subletting usually requires landlord permission.

But there is a legal exception for students: a student may always sublease their room to another student, even without landlord permission, if they are going on an internship or exchange program. 

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Key rules of student subleasing:

• The original lease stands: The departing student remains liable for the rent and all terms of the original rental agreement until the end date.

• No profit allowed: A departing student cannot charge a higher rent than what is currently paid to the landlord. Subleasing may never be done to make a profit.

• Match criteria: The sublease term cannot exceed the term of your original lease.

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Why use KotMatch ?

   

We advise against arranging sublets independently or posting on social media, as this can lead to unreliable candidates or legal issues. Subletting through KotMatch is reliable, secure, and stress-free for the landlord, the tenant, and the subtenant. 

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Transparency with Landlords ?

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We highly advise students to inform their landlord of their plans to maintain a positive relationship. Furthermore, KotMatch automatically notifies the landlord about the sublease. Before the contract begins, a standardized message containing all essential information and contact details is systematically sent to all involved parties, particularly the landlord.

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Who pays the operational costs ?

 

• For departing students: Posting your student room on KotMatch.com is completely free. No fees are charged, allowing you to recover your exact monthly rent directly into your bank account.

• For incoming students: Students booking a room pay an all-inclusive monthly rent. The price published on our website includes all operational costs and is therefore slightly higher than the original tenant's base rent.

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What are the benefits ?

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1. Peace of Mind for Departing Students

 

Finding short-term leases is difficult. Subletting allows you to sign a standard full-year contract with your landlord while recovering your rent while you are away on an internship or exchange.

Going abroad requires a lot of preparation. Managing a sublease independently can be overwhelming. By registering your room on KotMatch.com, we take over the burden:

• Tenant matching: KotMatch provides suitable candidates for your room

• Legal compliance: We share all required information with your landlord and remain available for support throughout the sublease period.

• Full administration: We handle background checks and secure payments.

 

2. Hassle-Free Housing for Incoming Students

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Finding short-term student accommodation from abroad is stressful. The traditional rental market rarely offers short leases, and empty rooms are often unfurnished. Booking a room from a departing student through KotMatch ensures:

• Fully equipped rooms: Spaces are already furnished and ready to live in.

• Guaranteed security: Reliable, price-compliant housing without the risk of online scams.

• Local support: Dedicated assistance throughout your entire stay in Belgium.

 

3. Reassurance for Landlords

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Under the Flemish Housing Rental Act of 2019, students are legally permitted to sublet their rooms for an exchange or internship without explicit landlord permission. This can cause landlords to worry about unvetted subtenants.

KotMatch eliminates this risk and prevents uncoordinated sublets by:

• Strict vetting: Checking student profiles and ensuring the sublease is fully justified.

• Full transparency: Proactively sharing the subtenant's profile and contact details with the landlord.

• Continuous support: Remaining available as a reliable mediator for all parties during the entire rental period.

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