Ask what the current status is and how much extra lead time is realistic. That determines the rest of your actions.

• Ask specifically: what's the bottleneck (valuation, documentation, bank approval), and what's the expected extra lead time?
• Also ask: can a temporary proof of financing be issued (like a 'principle agreement' or conditional mortgage offer) to reassure the seller?
• Consider a second opinion from another adviser — a fresh perspective can sometimes offer solutions.

Tip: for independent mortgage advice you can go to Vereniging Eigen Huis or the Consumentenbond — both offer structured advice.

The seller also benefits from a solution. Openness about the delay prevents escalation — postponing the key date is often negotiable.

• Call or email immediately — don't wait until a few days before the key date.
• Discuss specifically: can the key date be delayed by 2 to 6 weeks? That's usually possible if the seller has no chain pressure.
• If postponement isn't possible: check the purchase contract for the penalty clause (typically 3% of the purchase price). Parties often find a compromise — legal proceedings take longer and cost more.
• Get everything in writing — email is enough for formal agreements.

Three realistic options, with pros and cons for each.

• Family or friends: cheap or free, but not always practical beyond 1–2 weeks. Works best if you bring only a small portion of your belongings.
• Temporary rental or Airbnb: more flexible, usually €1,500–€4,000 per month depending on city and type. Works if you want to keep a substantial part of your household with you.
• Hotel: practical for 1–2 weeks but expensive longer — typically €80–€150 per night. Usually only useful as a stopgap while looking for something longer.

Tip: don't forget to temporarily change your address at the municipality if you stay elsewhere for more than 4 months. See notifying an address change for the full list.

Temporary housing doesn't fit your whole household. Important choice: what to bring, what goes to storage?

• What you usually want with you: clothes, daily kitchen items, laptop/office essentials, medication, sentimental items, possibly one seating set.
• What usually goes to storage: furniture, seasonal clothes, books, kitchen appliances you don't use daily, decor, TV-corner electronics.
• Important: with mobile storage (like ours) this doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing choice. We work with separate mobile units, so at pickup we can split — one unit goes to your temporary address, the rest into storage.

Tip: a full preparation for this situation is in moving with storage: checklist.

Within 3 working days we can always be at your door. Regular lead time is 17 days, but for mortgage crises it can be faster.

• Call the advice team on 085 018 1302 (Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00) and mention it's urgent.
• We check availability immediately and come back — often within hours.

Tip: for the full process and time-saving preparations see the storage process day by day.

Expect €1,500–€4,500 per month total for a complete bridging package — strongly depending on temporary housing type.

• Storage for average household (18–24m³): €97–€135 per month at Inbox.
• Temporary rental or Airbnb: €1,500–€4,000 per month (urban higher, smaller lower).
• With family: only occasional grocery contributions and storage.
• Our 12-month price guarantee is less relevant here — for urgent cases prefer 1 or 3 months with maximum freedom.

Our contracts extend automatically per month after the minimum period — you're not locked in.

• No action needed to extend; to stop, give 14 days' notice.
• Our data: customers rent for 4.5 months formally on average but stay 8 months in practice — extending is the norm here.

Tip: more on how our contract flexibility works is in flexible storage rental.

Yes — and it's legally required if you stay elsewhere for more than 4 months.

• The main resident must consent; usually a short statement suffices.
• Note: this can affect the main resident's housing benefits, allowances or taxes. Discuss beforehand.
• Register via the municipality. Mail can be temporarily forwarded via PostNL's mail redirection service.

Then storage shifts from bridging solution to longer-term solution — and our structure adapts.

• Contract extends per month while you search for something new; no extra cost for this change.
• Found a new home? We come to that address — also if it's in another city or in Belgium.
• Volume can be adjusted in between: if you live smaller with family, we can deliver an extra unit; if later you downsize, fewer units.

Tip: for the longer scenario of moving between two homes see moving between two homes.