Mechelen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Rents in Mechelen exceed €1,000 per month as new projects Keerdok, Komet, and Maarten increase supply. Experts Stijn Liers and Sophie Vandewalle highlight high demand for modern, quality apartments.
As GVA News reported, rents in Mechelen have reached an average of just over €1,000 per month. This is the 3rd city in Flanders, after Antwerp and Leuven, where apartment rents in the city centre exceed €1,000, according to the Rental Barometer from the real estate network GIB.
Stijn Liers of Malines Group emphasises that not every apartment costs this much.
“A one-bedroom apartment of around sixty square meters usually rents for between €800 and €900,”
he says. However, new 2-bedroom apartments can easily reach between €1,000 and €1,100.
Large urban development projects such as Keerdok, Komet, and Maarten have added many new apartments. Investors are attracted by these projects and sometimes buy whole buildings at once, which also affects the market.
Why are rents in Mechelen rising above € 1000 with Keerdok Komet Maarten?
Rising rents are influenced by supply, demand, and the quality of the apartments. Many tenants prefer paying €1,000 for a modern, well-kept apartment rather than €750 for an older, less comfortable unit.
“The overall quality of apartments has improved, and that is a major factor in price,”
Liers explains. High-end properties in the city centre also increase the average. Penthouse apartments can be rented for up to €2,500 per month.
“Mechelen’s housing stock has undergone significant renovations in recent years. However, even older apartments have become more expensive due to shortages,”
says Liers.
“That’s how many projects are starting to become available for rent. We ourselves have fully rented out Nieuw Noord, a new building with 35 apartments at Racing Mechelen, at the owner’s request.”
Sophie Vandewalle of Immo Sir sees a clear trend in the rental market. Tenants are increasingly willing to pay higher rents for homes with quality features.
“Rents are rising sharply,”
she says. Properties with a good energy performance certificate and modern kitchens and bathrooms are especially sought after.
Vandewalle also notes a steady stream of interest from young couples with 2 incomes who work between Antwerp, Brussels, and Leuven.
“Many of them are moving to Mechelen, which makes the rental market very competitive for tenants,”
she adds.
“It’s very difficult for some tenants to even qualify for housing. Owners have a choice, and they select the strongest candidates with the best cover letters. The city council is aware of the pressure on the housing market. We know that affordable housing is one of our most important challenges in the coming years,”
says Arthur Orlians (Voor Mechelen), Alderman for Housing.
The city is responding with a housing policy plan to address rising rents and demand. Alderman Orlians says there is no single solution.
“We need to increase housing density and create more supply if we want prices to drop or stabilize,”
he explains. Mechelen plans to focus on building more social housing, but this alone will not be enough.
“Many people are not eligible for social housing, and they also struggle to find affordable housing. That is why we are introducing as many new initiatives as possible,”
Orlians says.
“We know that affordable housing is one of our most important challenges in the coming years.”
Arthur Orlians Aldermen for Housing
Mechelen has been experiencing increasing pressure on its housing market for several years. The city’s location between Antwerp, Brussels, and Leuven attracts many young professionals and dual-income households. Rental prices have steadily risen since 2020, with sharper growth recorded in 2023 as demand surged.
In early 2024, the municipal government launched a housing policy plan to tackle these challenges. The plan focuses on increasing housing density, expanding social housing, and introducing new measures for residents who are not eligible for social housing.
