Law Changes 2021: Housing and Living Environment

The Dutch government will implement over 60 new rules, regulations, and law changes at the stroke of midnight on January 1. Below is a summary of the 2021 changes made in the category Housing and Living Environment: 

First-time home purchasers from 18 through 34 years of age do not have to pay 2 percent transfer tax over the value of their home. From April 1 the discount will only be available for people buying a property up to 400 thousand euros in price. Anyone else will pay the transfer fee, and those buying a second home or another property will pay an eight percent tax on the purchase.

The NHG mortgage guarantee purchase price limit will rise from 310 thousand euros to 325 thousand, or 344,500 euros for anyone also investing in energy-saving measures.

Dual-income households will be able to obtain a higher mortgage, with lenders allowed to appraise the second income more favorably.

Student loan debt will have less of a negative impact on the calculation of a maximum allowable mortgage.

Those earning above 68,507 euros will be able to deduct 43 percent of the interest paid on their mortgage, down from 46 percent. People earning below that amount will not face any changes.

Homeowners and owners of many commercial properties will be required to have an energy label created for their individual properties. An energy advisor will check energy usage, and the status of installed solar panels, insulation, heating units, and other attributes. The label is expected to cost about a hundred euros for an apartment, or 190 euros for a single family house. New properties will also be required to have an energy label.

Social housing tenants who are now paying more rent than their incomes justify, because of a change in salary, can apply for a one-time rent reduction.

New social housing rental prices will be capped at 752.33 euros monthly.

Building permits will only be issued for projects which fit requirements for the BENG standard on energy neutrality.

A tax on natural gas will increase by nearly six percent to 52.5 cents per cubic meter.

The energy tax discount will increase by over 30 euros for most households.

New heat pump and air conditioning installations on the outside of a building may be no louder than 40 decibels.