Amsterdam Beautiful Property Rental

News 10 Apr

After about 10 months of the Wet Betaalbare Huur (WBH) and decimation-by-sale due to unrentability of the aready limited free-sector luxury apartments in Amsterdam, politicians are - after significant concerns from practically all real-estate professionals as well as the president of the Dutch National Bank Klaas Knot - finally perhaps realizing that an ill-conceived new rental housing law should quickly be reviewd before there's no free-sector rental housing supply left ...

NOS News
• Today, 16:59
Cabinet wants to allow higher rents again, more room for private landlords

If the cabinet has its way, landlords will once again be allowed to charge higher rents. Minister Keijzer of Housing wants to prevent even more private landlords from selling off their properties because they no longer find it profitable.

The points-based system for mid-market rentals, introduced by the previous cabinet and used to determine rent levels, will be adjusted. For example, the WOZ value (government-determined property value) of a home will carry more weight, and higher rents may be charged for small listed (monument) buildings.

There will also be more temporary rental contracts for students, allowing landlords to raise rents more frequently. "With these measures, I want to make mid-market rentals more attractive for landlords, so they won’t sell their properties," says Keijzer. The relaxations are intended to take effect on January 1 of next year.

30,000 homes sold

Since the Affordable Rent Act came into force last year and a ban was introduced on temporary rental contracts, more than 30,000 rental homes have been sold, according to data from the Land Registry (Kadaster). Although new homes were added, the net result is a decline of 413 homes in the private rental market, the minister writes to the House of Representatives.

As a result, pressure on the housing market continues to increase, even though the cabinet aims to make it easier to find housing.

According to her, the problem is especially severe in cities. Because WOZ values are generally higher there, this component will carry more weight in the points system. That can result in up to €100 more in rent per month per home.

"This will bring the rent more in line with the actual value of the property," says the BBB minister. The new rental prices will only apply to new rental contracts." ....

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