Just like other tenants, students can soon expect rent increases of several hundred euros per year, as the government has decided not to freeze rental prices.
(Photo: Thijs van Reeuwijk)
In the social housing sector, which includes many student accommodations, rents may rise by up to 5% from 1 July. A rent of €500 could increase to €525, meaning an extra €300 per year. For students sharing a house, the impact could be even greater: in the mid-market rental sector, rents may rise by up to 7.7%.
On Wednesday evening, the Dutch House of Representatives debated the rising rental costs. Several opposition parties argued for a rent freeze or even a reduction, but the coalition government will not support these measures.
Although the PVV party promised lower social housing rents during its election campaign, no decision has been made on this yet. The government has indicated that it may reconsider the issue in the Spring Memorandum.
‘A bit odd’
Since 2022, rent increases have been linked to wage growth of collective labor agreements rather than inflation. This rule was introduced when inflation soared due to the war in Ukraine and the energy crisis. Now that inflation has dropped to around 3%, while wages are rising by 6.5%, the government has set a maximum rent increase of 5% for the social housing sector.
The Dutch National Student Union (Landelijke Studentenvakbond LSVb) finds it odd that student rents are rising in line with wage increases. “It doesn’t really make sense,” says chairman Abdelkader Karbache. “It’s a bit strange that student housing is included in this system because students don’t work full-time — or some don’t have time for a job at all due to internships.”
Social housing cooperations see rent increases as necessary. They argue that more funding is needed for new housing developments and improvements. The increases are maximum percentages, meaning the actual rent hikes will vary by landlord. The new rates will take effect on 1 July.
Living away from home
From 2026, the government will link the maximum annual rent increase to a three-year average of inflation, aiming to reduce fluctuations in rent prices.
Around half of Dutch students live away from home. International students have no choice, as their parents live in another country. Meanwhile, the housing shortage continues to affect Dutch students — less than half of them have moved out of their parental home.
HOP, Bas Belleman
HOP
Hoger Onderwijs Persbureau
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