The EPC (energy performance certificate) has long been mandatory when renting, but the consequences of a poor label grow heavier every year. In Flanders your energy label determines not only what you can charge, but soon whether you can rent out at all. Here is the overview for 2026.
An EPC is mandatory before you advertise
As a landlord you must have a valid EPC drawn up before you offer a property for rent. The EPC label and the certificate number must also appear in all advertisements and communication with prospective tenants. Failing to do so risks a fine.
Poor label = limited indexation
Since 1 October 2023, rent indexation is restricted for properties with an EPC label of D, E or F, and the impact gets stricter as the label gets worse. In practice, an energy-efficient property lets you index the rent fully, while a poor label squeezes your return.
The timeline you need to know
- From 2028: for rental properties with label E or F, indexation is excluded entirely.
- From 2030: renting is only permitted for properties with at least label D.
Anyone who buys a property with label E or F is also subject to the renovation obligation: within six years of the transfer the property must reach at least label D. That term was recently relaxed. Note: the renovation obligation is tied to a transfer (purchase), not to renting as such.
An investment in insulation or glazing not only improves your label — it directly protects your future rental income.
What you can do now
- Check the current EPC label of every property in your portfolio.
- Prioritise roof insulation, high-efficiency glazing and wall insulation for labels E–F.
- Have a new EPC drawn up after renovation to prove your improved label.
- Plan the works well before the 2028 and 2030 deadlines.
Non-compliance can lead to fines of 500 to 5,000 euros. For the exact rules, always consult Vlaanderen.be or an EPC expert.
Keep an overview across your whole portfolio
With multiple properties it quickly gets hard to track: which property has which label, which deadline is coming, and what that means for your indexation. Proproll links the EPC label to each property, stores the certificate in your document vault, and automatically accounts for the indexation restriction.
This guide is general information and not legal advice. Energy legislation evolves quickly — always check the current rules with the competent authorities.