Rent increases and tenant rights
Dutch tenants have strong legal protection. Rent increases are capped each year, and the Huurcommissie, the national rent tribunal, can check rents, increases and service costs.
Last reviewed 12 November 2026. General information, not legal advice.
Yearly rent increases
Landlords may raise the rent once every twelve months, often on 1 July, and must send you a written proposal in advance. The government sets a maximum increase every year, with different limits per segment: for social housing the maximum applies from 1 July, for mid-rent and private-sector homes it applies per calendar year. Because the percentages change every year, check the current figures on the Rijksoverheid or Huurcommissie website.
The Huurcommissie
The Huurcommissie is an independent rent tribunal. Tenants can ask it to judge, among other things:
- whether the starting rent of a regulated home is too high, based on the points system,
- whether a rent increase is allowed,
- the yearly service cost settlement,
- serious maintenance defects and a temporary rent reduction.
Tenants pay a small fee for a procedure. There are deadlines, so act quickly if you want to object.
Maintenance and repairs
The landlord is responsible for major maintenance and defects; tenants handle small daily repairs. Report defects in writing and keep a copy.
Free help
- Juridisch Loket: free legal information, also in English.
- Huurteam or tenant advice service: many municipalities have one, often free for tenants.
- Woonbond: the national tenants' union, with information on tenant rights.
Frequently asked questions
- How much can my rent go up each year?
- The government sets maximum yearly increases, with different rules for social, mid-rent and private-sector homes. For social housing the new maximum applies from 1 July, for mid-rent and private-sector homes per calendar year. Check the current percentages on the Rijksoverheid or Huurcommissie website, as they change every year.
- What does the Huurcommissie do?
- It is an independent body that settles disputes between tenants and landlords, for example about the starting rent of a regulated home, annual increases, service costs and maintenance defects. A procedure costs the tenant a small fee.
- Where can I get free advice?
- The Juridisch Loket gives free legal information, and many cities have a local tenant advice service (huurteam). The tenants' union Woonbond also publishes information.