Real estate agents are being targeted to divert attention from the fundamental problem in the rental market

2030 - 16 January 2026
CIB Weekly Journal
Real estate agents targeted to divert attention from the fundamental problem in the rental market

Suddenly, the pressure on the rental market is big news again. The consumer program WinWin dedicated an entire week to it on both radio and television. Abolishing the rental promise, practice tests, the rental deposit… In other words, the agent is in the crosshairs, but not a word about the structural and fundamental problems in our rental market. Most notably, that demand exceeds supply, that our sector is doing its absolute best to find housing for everyone, and that our sector has been offering and proposing solutions for years. It seemed as if the fundamental problem of scarcity arose yesterday. It did not. Purely based on demographics, we could already predict 15 years ago what was on the horizon. Anyone looking surprised today hasn't been paying attention in recent years or has ignored the figures.

At CIB, we don't monitor the rental market based on gut feeling, but with facts. For years, our semi-annual rental barometer has shown the same trend: a structurally tight supply, rising demand, and increasing tension in almost all regions. This is not a sudden 'crisis', but rather the predictable consequence of years of deferred policy-making.

What do we see time and again? A press article or report about distressing situations, followed by reactions on the sidelines. A quick quote, an ideological viewpoint, a finger pointed at "the market" and "the real estate agent". Yet rarely an analysis that starts from objective data, let alone the bigger picture. The problems in the rental market are increasing exponentially, politicians are coming under pressure, and then the real estate agent naturally becomes a very convenient target and lightning rod.

However, the causes of the problems in our rental market are crystal clear and confirmed time after time by our rental barometer. Supply is not growing along with demand. Permitting processes remain slow and unpredictable. Landlords are dropping out due to an accumulation of regulations, a lack of fiscal incentives, and yes, also due to bad experiences. And social housing? That remains structurally behind while the waiting lists keep growing. 40% of tenants are entitled to social housing but are forced to turn to the private market.

Anyone who thinks you can adjust this market without creating additional homes is selling illusions. You cannot allocate homes that do not exist. The rental barometer clearly shows: where supply stagnates, pressure increases. It's as simple as that.

The solutions are as well-known as they are ignored. Speed up and simplify permits. Use taxation as an incentive for those who invest in quality rental housing. Ensure a major acceleration of social housing construction. And above all: implement policies based on data instead of incident-driven politics.

The rental market does not need temporary indignation, but structural choices. As long as we keep reacting to symptoms instead of what the figures have been indicating for years, this problem will keep repeating itself.

CIB will continue to do what it has been doing for a long time: measuring, interpreting, and offering solutions based on the reality on the ground. Our rental barometer is not an alarm bell that suddenly went off. It has been ringing for years. It is about time someone actually listened.

Kristophe Thijs
Director of Communications