Leuven Travel Forum

Hi,
after some difficulties and obsticles, I am putting here my experiences while finding a studio in Leuven. maybe it would be helpful for some of you..
first of all: many many thanks to ELKE who realy helped me by sending guidance info and some good tips.
well...my situation is probably a bit different from yours..
I am a student, but not of KUL. I came to Leuven to complete my master thesis at a company. therefore, I am not eligible for KUL services, although I could use some of them.
I was looking for an accomodation for a period of less than 12 months. please note that this is the minimum time that most of the owners rent their places. so if you want less - you can negotiate and sometimes pay some more (like I did), but if it would be in the period of end semster it can be considered by the owner.
accomodation in Leuven devided to 3: apartment, studio, room.
apt. is a place with 2 rooms or more. usually expenssive.
studio is a place just for one person or couple but no roomates. you have your own bathroon and toilet.
room is basicly the same like studio but you have other roomates who share the place with you. means that the owner probably took an apt. and devided it to rooms in order to get more money and rent it to several people. each room contain a person and bath + toilet are shared.
anyway, I tried to look for a place through the net before coming. NO WAY!!!
the best way to find a place to live in Leuven is to come there. take or rent bikes and ride the streets. the owners are hanging rent signs on the windows and thats the best way to find your own place. first, figure out the neighborhood. second, start to roam around for looking for signs. then call the people and see the place. usually you can do it on the spot or at the same day.
however, before you come to Leuven, you can still search through agencies who publish themselves in the net. try http://cwisdb.cc.kuleuven.ac.be/pls/kamers/hvzoek.hvstart
and
http://www.coenen.be/student/nl/index.html
although I found them expenssive. they will rent you a place for a short period of time.
if you have no place to stay in Leuven while searching: try
http://www.leuven-hostel.com/
its a very good and inexpenssive hostel. and the best thing is that you can find their other students and people who also look for places and use their info (like I did with 2 very helpful german students who I thank them also).
when you reached Leuven , try to find the local newspapers. a one which I found many ads was Pass-Partout which is for sale for 25 cents at their store in Bongenotenlaan.

after you find the place. most of the owners will ask for deposit of 1-2 months of the rent fees. the rent amount usually includes the other costs like water, heat and electricity. but figure that out and make sure its included!!

anyhow, I hope you r not tired from reading and ready to open in search..

all the best

Glad you found a place to rent.
It is best indeed to search on the spot as you described but then if you don't come too late to the place because Leuven has some 30000 students of which a big part likes to stay in the city on rooms.

Hi Gideon
Indeed, a very helpful guide :)
Glad I was of any help to you, your very welcome.
Cheers, Elke

Hi Man,

Well, it is nice to have some useful info from you...I thank you..for giving this details ...I will contact you if I need further infos...