The Affordable Rent Act (In Dutch: Wet betaalbare huur” hereinafter: Wbh) came into effect on 1 July 2024.
The Wbh leads to a major revision of the rental price law for residential space.
The Highlights:
There are now three rental segments, the segments are differentiated by a system that rewards points for a discrete living space. The system that rewards points to living spaces is called “woningwaarderingsstelsel in short WWS.
The segments are divided as follows:
- Social Rent 143 points or less, maximum rent price of € 879,66 (Since January 2024)
- Mid-rent 144 up to 186 points, maximum rent price € 1.157,95 (Since June 2024)
- Free Sector upwards of 187 points, no limit
The mid Rent Segment was added with the intent to mitigate high rental prices for houses with lower WWS points. A situation the Government considered to be unfair.
It is therefore prohibited to:
- Rent out both independent and dependent living space for a rent higher than the WWS allows;
- Apply rent increase percentages higher than the legal maximum.
The prohibition does not apply to independent living spaces from 187 WWS points and higher.
Finally, the tenant must be provided with the energy label of the property and of course, a “The Good Landlord Declaration Document, stating the tenants rights and proper channels to report incorrect renting practices.
The Good Landlord Act came into effect on July 1, 2023
