Self-catering accommodation in Liège

What is a "kot"?

In Belgium, student rooms are commonly known as “kots.” These are individual bedrooms—typically between 10 and 20 m²—and are a popular type of student housing. There are over 7,000 kots available in the city of Liège and around the Sart Tilman campus, offering a wide range of choices at relatively affordable prices.

A typical kot includes a private room, with access to shared kitchen and bathroom facilities, which are used by several housemates. The total shared living space usually falls between 20 and 30 m². It’s a lot like flat-sharing—complete with both its benefits and its occasional challenges.

In Belgium, single rooms for students are called "kots" and are generally between 10 and 20 m² in size. There are over 7,000 in the city and around the Sart Tilman campus. Prices are fairly democratic and the choice is varied.

A kot consists of a private room, plus shared kitchen and bathroom facilities for several tenants, with a total surface area of around 20 to 30 m². It's like sharing a flat, with all its advantages and disadvantages.

Main advantages and disadvantages

Living in a kot encourages daily social interaction and a sense of community. You make friends, form connections, and start to feel more at home in your new environment. It’s also a valuable human experience that teaches you a lot about yourself and others.

However, sharing a flat is not without its practical problems. The more housemates you have, the harder it is to cope with everyone. Problems can range from disagreements between people, to queuing for showers, to unfinished dishes. To reduce the risk of problems, it's best not to share a flat with more than three people.

Price range

Prices range from 400 to 600 euros per month (including utilities) for a single kot.

Renting a studio (a single main room) or a private apartment (with several rooms) means you won’t have to deal with the little hassles of communal living. However, the total space—and the size of the room—will usually be smaller than in a kot or shared flat. You’ll also be responsible for maintaining your living area on your own.

Price range

Expect to pay between €450 and €550 for a small studio of 12 to 20 m², and between €550 and €750 for a larger apartment.

---

Renting a room in a home offers significant economic advantages. It's also a friendly solution that can ease your integration and provide support, as the host can help you discover the city and feel less alone. What's more, you have less responsibility for the general upkeep of the property.

However, this option implies less independence and privacy, as you'll be sharing communal areas and will have to adapt to the local's rules of living. Compatibility with your host is crucial to a harmonious cohabitation, and your personal space will generally be limited to your room.

Price range

In Liège, renting a room in a private home for a student generally ranges from €250 to €450 per month. This amount may include all or part of utilities (water, electricity, heating, internet), which is something you should always check.

The "Un Toit 2 Âges" scheme in Liège offers intergenerational cohabitation, with a student living in the home of an elderly person. This option is often very economical, aiming to break the solitude of senior citizens while offering affordable housing to young people. Students benefit from a generally calm environment, conducive to study, and a caring presence, which can reassure both the student and his or her parents.

However, adapting to the senior citizen's lifestyle and expectations requires a certain maturity and respect for shared rules.

Price range

The ASBL offers several formulas, but in general, rents are very advantageous.

• Services" formula: The student pays a contribution of around €200 per month in exchange for 5 hours of services per week (logistical help, companionship, etc.).
• Convivialité" or "Classique" option: Students pay an occupancy allowance of no more than €350 per month. No services are required, but a friendly presence is expected.

It is important to note that an annual contribution of around €350 may be requested by the ASBL to cover their running costs and the monitoring of the pairs.