The government sent to Parliament first plans to regulate rent for housing. The government's goal is to increase housing affordability for people with average incomes. These innovations are planned at the same time as mass construction of affordable houses.
In a letter to Parliament, Housing and Spatial Planning Minister De Jonge reveals the government's plans to curb rising rents. In particular, the number of points on the housing assessment system (woningwaarderingsstelsel - WWS) will increase - 187 instead of today's 141, so that rental housing will be assessed more carefully. This should bring the average rent down to below €1000 per month starting in 2024.
The Law on the regulation of medium-term rent itself is planned to be adopted in early 2023.
Minister De Jonge said that the shortage of affordable housing is leading to a rapid increase in rents. The government aims to find a balance that, on the one hand, would allow residents of the country with average incomes to receive affordable housing, and on the other hand, would make investments in the construction of houses for rent attractive.
In addition to rent regulation, it is also important to commission new houses to solve the problem of housing shortage. It is planned that by 2030 900 houses will be built, of which 350 (40%) should be built for owners to live in or rent out at average prices. It is planned that out of 350 such houses, 50 will be built by housing associations, and the remaining 300 will be commercial construction for sale on the free market.
Publication Date: 05.12.2022
