Most Dutch homeowners, especially over 60, choose renovation over moving
Most Dutch homeowners reportedly prefer renovating their homes over moving, especially those over 60, according to new research by Beurs Eigen Huis and the Vereniging Eigen Huis.
Among homeowners aged 60 and older, 61.1 percent said they would rather stay and adapt their homes. Over three-quarters of respondents with renovation or sustainability plans already take life-cycle readiness—accessibility for aging—into account.
“Many people see how overheated the market is and how difficult it is to find a home that even roughly fits their wishes,” said Simon Vrijsen of the Vereniging Eigen Huis to regional media.
The study, conducted last month by research bureau Kien among more than 2,100 homeowners aged 18 and older through its PanelWizard platform, shows that many are reluctant to leave familiar surroundings despite calls for more mobility.
Interest in co-living is rising. Over 62 percent of those planning to build a new home said they would make it suitable for shared living, while 25 percent of renovators said the same. Experts have long argued that shared housing and home-splitting could help ease housing pressure.
“We see that the desire to make one’s home suitable for co-living has increased compared to last year,” said Eefje Meijers of Beurs Eigen Huis. “You might expect older people to consider this more often, but we mostly see homeowners under 30 thinking about building or remodeling for co-living. More than 43 percent of them said they are considering it to some extent.”
Over a third of homeowners said they plan to build or renovate because no suitable alternative housing is available.
Vrijsen said shared housing and splitting homes remain promising but face bureaucratic hurdles. “This cabinet is already working to make splitting and rooftop additions easier, but it’s still quite a task,” he said. “The Netherlands is really a country full of rules. Those rules should be simplified.”
Although the regulations have valid reasons, they complicate customization, Vrijsen said. “What’s missing is that the homeowner is not really guided through the process. Municipalities could be more proactive in that.”
Sustainability efforts are also affected. One in three homeowners plans to make their homes more energy-efficient in the next three years, but 59 percent hesitate due to political uncertainty. Another 73.5 percent said making sustainable choices is not always easy.
