Frequently asked questions rent increase

Who determines the rent increase?

The rules concerning the rent increase are established by the government, the ‘Tweede kamer’ (House of Representatives) and the ‘Eerste kamer’ (Senate). Idealis subsequently determines the rent increase within the confines of these regulations.

What is the rent increase in 2022?

The government has determined that the rent may increase with the inflation rate of 2.3%. Idealis has aligned itself with this and will set to increase the rent by 2.3%.

Why is the rent increasing?

To ensure we have good, sufficient and affordable living spaces in the future we must invest in custodial duties, maintenance and new construction. Because all prices have increased in the past few years, our expenses have increased as well. In order to keep meeting our objectives in the future, it is necessary to increase our revenue.

Why was the rent not increased in 2021?

In 2021 it was decided by law that the rent must be frozen and could not be raised. This was a one-time government regulation.

When will I pay the new cost of rent?

The new cost of rent will be charged from the 1st of July 2023 onwards.

Do I have to make any changes to my payments myelf?

That depends on how you are currently paying your rent:

  • Through direct debit: have you authorized Idealis to collect the rent from your account? Then you won’t have to do anything. You will automatically pay the new rental fee.
  • Through My Idealis: then you won’t have to do anything. The new rental fee will automatically be updated on My Idealis.
  • Through periodic transfers / credit card: do you pay your rent with periodic transfers or by credit card? Then you will have to manually adjust this to the new cost.
I want to make automatic payments. How do I arrange that?

If you want to make changes to how you make your payments then you can do so through My Idealis.

Will I still receive rent subsidy?

If you are currently receiving rent subsidy then you will continue to do so. Your new cost of rent influences the amount of rent subsidy you may receive. The website of the Dutch Tax Office explains whether you are eligible for rent subsidy.

Do I have to inform the Dutch Tax Office of my new rental cost?

The Dutch Tax Office will ask you in June to inform them of your new rent details. You will then need the letter ‘jaarlijkse huurverhoging’ (annual rent increase). So be sure to keep this letter!

Is there a maximum for the rental cost of my accommodation?

Yes, laws have been made for social housing. When determining the legal maximum rent of an accommodation, the woningwaarderingsstelsel (Housing Valuation System) is consulted. It works as such: each accommodation we lease receives a number of points based on for instance the surface area, the facilities and for rooms with own facilities the energy label and the property value. The point total determines what an accommodation’s maximum cost may be.

How often may Idealis increase the rent?

For social housing, the rent may not be increased more than once every 12 months. This main rule has one exception for liberalised lease agreements: the rent may be increased if the lessor has implemented improvements or new facilities for the accommodation.

I disagree with the rent increase as proposed by Idealis. Can I object to this?

If you disagree with the proposed increase of the base rent, then you may lodge an appeal to us before the 1st of July 2023. In which case we would like to ask you to make use of the standardized appeal form of the rental committee. If Idealis disagrees with your objection, then we will ask the rental committee to make a ruling on the reasonability of the proposed rent increase.

For more information on this and the appeal form, we direct you to www.huurcommissie.nl.
You can also contact the Information centre of the Dutch government with the telephone number 1400 (available on working days between 8:00 and 20:00).

Where can I find more information?
  • Woonbond (Dutch national organisation for tenants). Here you will find more information on the rent increase and on whether such an increase is valid: https://www.woonbond.nl/huurdersvragen.
  • The Dutch Tax Office. Information on rent benefit can be found at www.toeslagen.nl. You can also call the Tax Office. Telephone number 0800 0543. This number is free of charge.
  • Rental committee. If you want to object to your rent increase then you can call the rental committee. You will find more information at: www.huurcommissie.nl. Telephone number: 1400 (local charge) on working days from 08.00 to 20.00.
  • Dutch government. On the website of the Dutch government you will find more information on rent control, rental committee, service costs and the Housing Valuation System.
  • Juridisch Loket (legal clinic). Do you have questions about rent disputes concerning liberalised rental agreements? Then you can ask these at the legal clinic. You can call 0900 - 8020 (€ 0.25 p/m, with a starting fee of 4.5 cent, plus the usual charges for calling, up to a maximum of € 12.50); or else go to www.juridischloket.nl.