Amsterdam lets social benefit recipients keep up to €475 from renting rooms
Amsterdammers receiving social benefits will now find it easier to rent out rooms in their homes under new city rules, the municipality announced Monday. The changes allow landlords to keep up to 475 euros per month from rental income without it affecting their benefits, provided the tenant shares meals with the host. For fully independent tenants, hosts may earn up to 275 euros per month.
City Housing Alderman Zita Pels said the rules aim to help alleviate Amsterdam’s housing shortage. “Many Amsterdammers with a social benefit would like to rent out a room but are afraid of the financial consequences. Clear rules are meant to remove that barrier,” Pels said.
The new policy includes several conditions. Tenants may not be family members or individuals with whom the host already shares a household. Residents of social housing are allowed to rent out rooms, but the property owner’s approval is always required. Each residence may rent out a maximum of two rooms.
Recipients of IOAW or IOAZ benefits are exempt from reporting rental income to the municipality entirely. For those receiving AOW, WIA, or WW benefits, the new rules do not alter their existing entitlements; earning additional income from renting a room will not affect the size of their benefit. The same exemption applies to housing allowances, healthcare allowances, and child-related benefits.
