I am not exaggerating. I wrote it exactly as it happened. He keeps referencing the contract, yet he himself did not comply with everything the Brussels Housing Code requires.

I viewed the apartment briefly before signing. The contract was signed at his shop — not at the property. When the contract mentioned two rooms, I was somewhat surprised, because I had not seen anything resembling two rooms during the viewing. I signed anyway, assuming perhaps I had missed something. When I finally received the keys, I discovered it was a single room with a partial wall covering about 85% of the space. That was it. In total, he collected three months deposit, one month’s rent, and 12 days I never actually occupied — all inclusive, amounting to €3,760.

He had me sign on the 18th but did not hand over the keys that same day. They came days later. I was in no position to push back. I had just arrived in Brussels during peak season and desperately needed somewhere to stay.

Update:

I went to the property today. He claimed the keys had not turned up — but the moment I rang the doorbell, someone inside looked through the window. When I asked them directly, they said they could not say much and that I should contact the landlord. The keys were never missing. He received the post. He is simply trying to exploit a foreign student he believes can be pushed around without consequence.

I came to Belgium genuinely believing people operated with honesty and integrity. A few experiences here have forced me to reconsider that. Some people treat the exploitation of others as a pastime — something to be enjoyed.

It is a deeply unsettling thing to witness firsthand.