Social housing, mid-range housing, or private sector housing?
To verify whether the rent increase your landlord wants to implement complies with the rules, it’s important to first check whether your lease is for social housing, mid-range housing, or private sector housing.
You can easily check this on this webpage from the Dutch government.
For example, if your lease began in 2025, you are renting in the social housing sector if the base rent is less than €900.07 per month. You are renting in the mid-range rental sector if your base rent is between €900.07 and €1,184.83 per month. You are renting in the private sector if your base rent is €1,157.95 or higher per month.
Public Housing
In public housing, rent increases are typically implemented as of July 1. Landlords often choose this date because the new maximum rates may be implemented as of July 1 each year.
The landlord must first send a proposal for a rent increase. This proposal must be sent two calendar months in advance. If the landlord wants the increase to take effect on July 1, 2026, the proposal must therefore be sent to you before May 1, 2026.
This proposal must meet the following conditions:
• The proposal must be sent to you by email or letter;
• Your old and new base rent must be stated;
• The amount of the increase must be stated;
• The date on which the increase takes effect must be stated;
• The letter or email must state that you have the right to object.
You rent a room:
Starting July 1, 2026, the landlord may increase the base rent by a maximum of:
• 4.1%.
Please note: due to the rent increase, the rent for your room may not exceed the legal maximum. You can calculate the maximum rent for your room on this page.
You rent a self-contained living space:
Starting July 1, 2026, the landlord may increase the base rent by a maximum of:
• 4.1%, if your base rent is €350.00 per month.
• A maximum of €25, if your base rent is less than €350.00 per month.
Please note: If your income exceeds €59,504 (for a single-person household) or €68,858 (for a multi-person household), the landlord may propose a higher rent increase.
Mid-range rent
Starting January 1, 2026, landlords may increase the base rent by a maximum of:
• 6.1%.
Always check your lease agreement to see what you and the landlord agreed upon regarding the increase percentage. If those agreements would result in a rent increase higher than 6.1%, these agreements may be disregarded; the rent increase may not exceed 6.1%.
Note: the rent increase may not cause the rent for your room to exceed the legal maximum. You can calculate the maximum rent for your room on this page.
The mid-range rent has only been in effect since 2024. If you are unsure whether you are renting under the mid-range rent scheme, you can check this using the following points:
• Your lease was signed on July 1, 2024, or later; and
• Your base rent in 2024 was more than €879.66 and less than €1,157.95. Or your rent in 2025 was more than €900.07 and less than €1,184.82.
Please note: If you paid more than the aforementioned maximum rent amounts but have completed the points calculation and scored between 144 and 187 points, your home is also considered mid-range rent, and you can initiate a procedure with the Rent Commission to lower your rent.
Private-sector rent
Starting January 1, 2026, landlords may increase the base rent by a maximum of:
• 4.4%.
Always check your lease agreement to see what you and the landlord have agreed upon regarding the increase percentage. If those agreements would result in a rent increase higher than 4.4%, these agreements may be disregarded; the rent increase may not exceed 4.4%.
Objecting to a Rent Increase
Public Housing
You can object to a rent increase in the following cases:
• The landlord wants to increase the rent by an amount that exceeds the maximum allowed.
• There are errors in the proposal, such as an incorrect effective date or an incorrect base rent.
• The rent increase proposal is late. You must have received the proposal at least 2 calendar months before the effective date.
• You have a pending case with the Rent Commission regarding defects.
• The proposed new rent is higher than the maximum rent according to the point system.
• The landlord has already increased the rent in the past 12 months. Note: there are three exceptions to this:
1. You are in the first year of your lease.
2. The landlord has improved the property (for example, a new kitchen has been installed).
3. If more than a year has passed between your last two rent increases.
• According to your lease, you pay an all-inclusive rent. In that case, you do not know which amount covers the base rent and which amount covers the advance on service charges. You are therefore unable to verify whether the increase is correct.
Have you filed a complaint with the landlord, but the landlord disagrees with your complaint? In that case, it is up to the landlord to initiate proceedings with the Rent Commission.
Mid-range rent
You can object to a rent increase in the following cases:
• The landlord wants to increase the rent by more than 6.1%.
• The landlord has not included a rent increase clause in your lease agreement.
Private sector rent
You can object to a rent increase in the following cases:
• The landlord wants to increase the rent by more than 4.4%.
• The landlord has not included a rent increase clause in your lease agreement.
Do you have concerns about the rent increase?
If you have any concerns or questions about the rent increase, please discuss them with your landlord. The Rent Support Center can also answer your questions about the rent increase or other matters. We’re happy to help.
