House rent policy

In the period 2001–2004, annual rent increases (excluding rent harmonisation) were based on the average inflation rate in the five preceding calendar years. On 1 July 2005, the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment decided to abandon this principle. The annual rent increase was subsequently based on last year’s inflation rate plus a surcharge. Non-commercial landlords are not allowed to raise the rent beyond last year’s inflation rate plus a lower surcharge.
In 2007, the principle of a fixed surcharge was abolished. The rent increase was not allowed to be raised by more than last year’s inflation rate.
For 2008, the maximum rent increase allowed is 1.6 percent. This percentage only applies to non-liberalised rented dwellings.
A tenancy contract is liberalised, if the property is an independent dwelling with a rent level above the liberalisation threshold at the moment the first occupants moved in.
For 2008, the liberalisation threshold was set at € 631.73. The tenancy contract must date back to 1 July 1994 or earlier. A contract is also liberalised, if it concerns a dwelling added to the housing stock on or after 1 July 1989 with a rent exceeding the liberalisation threshold which then applied.

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