Landlords still ignoring rent regulation; €2,654 chared for 39 square meter Hague flat

Landlords still regularly ignore the rent regulation implemented with the Affordable Rent Act on July 1 last year, RTL Nieuws discovered when checking listings on Funda on a random day. The broadcaster found over 60 homes for which the rent was almost certainly higher than allowed. If they had been rented out at the regulated price, the supply of affordable rental homes would increase by around a quarter, the broadcaster wrote.

Some outliers include a 39 square meter flat in The Hague advertised for 2,645 euros per month, 1,600 euros per month for a 53 square meter home in Arnhem, and 1,635 euros per month for 35 square meters in Almere.

The Affordable Rent Act took effect on July 1 with the aim of fighting high rents in the mid-segment of the rental market. It extended the points system that applied to social housing to mid-range rental properties. Mid-range rentals have points between 144 and 186 and may be rented for an amount of 879 to 1,165 euros per month based on their points. Properties get points for their size and amenities.

According to RTL, based on the points system criteria, including size, property value, and energy label, it is almost certain that over 60 homes are offered for higher rents than allowed. The difference between the requested rent and the regulated rent is often hundreds of euros.

Erik Visser of the Steenvlinder Rental Team is not surprised by the result. He has inspected many properties for unfairly high rent since the Affordable Rent Act took effect. “The rent paid for the homes we come across is often far too much for the small homes or the level of facilities that are available,” he told the broadcaster.

Landlords are pushing their luck, Matthijs ten Broeke of the Woonbond, which represents tenants’ interests, told RTL. The massive shortage of affordable housing puts tenants at a severe disadvantage. “As long as there is such a large shortage, landlords are just trying to ask for more, and there are always home hunters who are prepared to pay.”

Tenants who think their landlord is overcharging them can go to the Rent Assessment Committee to challenge the rent. The Rent Assessment Committee has already ruled in favor of over 50 tenants since the introduction of the new law, often significantly decreasing their rents.

But according to the Woonwond, many tenants are hesitant to take that step because they fear a disturbed relationship with their landlord. The Woonbond has received signals of landlords pressuring tenants not to go to the committee with intimidation or irregular contracts. “Nevertheless, we advise tenants to do it anyway. Because a ruling from the Rent Assessment Committee puts you in a strong position.”

According to the Woonbond, the only real solution here is to increase the supply of affordable housing.