Apply for a personal username and access code with the representative in charge of accommodation at your school. In case you don’t know this person’s name, click your school or university’s contact data. Don’t worry about finding a place to stay on time! The full databank of addresses for the coming academic year will only be available to all students halfway June. Some students are keen on starting their search as soon as the Easter holiday but that is of little use as landlords can’t yet know at that point which students will be staying and which won’t. Also, most rooms will still be occupied so you can’t come over to take a look at them.
Next click ‘Search address database’ . Be aware of the fact that all the information is communicated with no guarantee whatsoever of its accuracy or completeness.  Kotweb can on no account be held liable for the accuracy or content of the information.

Take a look at where your courses will be taking place so that you’ll know in what neighborhood you should go looking for a room. It is now possible to search the database by postal code. Within the centre of Antwerp (postal code 2000), you can detail your search by specifying particular points of reference. Besides the departments and campuses, there are other points of recognition such as the Central Station, Berchem station, Groenplaats, Grote Markt, the FairArtsMuseum (Museum van Schone Kunsten) and Sint-Jansplein.

Even though you may be excited about tasting student life, don’t take any rash decisions. After all, you will be spending a lot of time in your studio or apartment and it’s not easy to terminate a rental contract during the academic year!
All of this provides extra reasons to consider your priorities.
Are you looking for a large room or a small one?
Do you need a lot of light?
Are you a people person or do you prefer peace and quiet?
How important is comfort to you?
How far from campus or town center are you prepared to stay?
 

Determine your budget.
Start from the maximum amount you can spend and start looking for a room within this price category. In case you already have a place in mind, determine in detail how much money a month it would cost you. This sum is made quickly if we are talking about an ‘all-in’ rental price. However, in case extra costs such as electricity, heating, water and internet are not included in the rental price, a monthly advance usually has to be paid. At the end of the rental period, you will receive a detailed bill based on your weekly use of water, gas/ electricity and internet. Any advances already paid are already filtered out of this bill. The general cost of this can be estimated around forty to fifty Euros a month. Recently however, Electrabel announced a 20% rise in the cost of gas. This could augment the expenses, especially if you are planning on staying in your student lodgings during vacations and/or weekends.
An important one-time expense at the start of your rental contract is the warrant. Kotweb rental contrasts all mention a one-month rental warrant. However, landlords are free to deviate from this general guideline! Always search your contract thoroughly for any possible adjustments. Furthermore, a contribution to insurance costs or maintenance can be requested. The average rental price for a room with furniture in and around Antwerp is, in 2009-2010, € 247/month excluding other expenses. The price for a studio would be € 300 (excluding other expenses) and an apartment € 370 (excluding other expenses)/month.  

What should I watch out for?
There is a considerable variety in student lodgings when it comes to size, decoration and comfort.
In order to find a room with a decent price-quality ratio, it is best to visit and compare several places.
Sound hindrance is a known weak point in many student lodgings. Listen for noise from the staircase, hallway, kitchen, street side. If your room is located in the vicinity of any bars or dancing places you can expect noise at night.
Try opening and closing the windows. Is the room well insulated? What kind of heating is used? Is there enough fresh oxygen in the room? How about daylight? Check out the common facilities (kitchen, bathroom). What do they look like and how many people will have to be sharing them? Also take a look at the electricity and the sockets. What about safety in case of fire? Are there any extinguishers, an escape ladder… any easy way out? Whatever the case, always examine your room personally before signing a contract!