The Affordable Rent Act – What does this mean for you as a landlord?

The Affordable Rent Act went into effect on July 1, 2024. The purpose of the Act is to improve the affordability of rental housing. The Act focuses on the regulation of rents for social and mid-range properties.

As of January 1, 2025, two important new rules resulting from the Affordable Rent Act will come into effect: landlords will now have to assign a point value to new leases, and municipalities will be given an enforcement role.

Affordable Rent Act

Before the Affordable Rent Act came into force, there was only a distinction between social housing and private housing. With the introduction of the Affordable Rent Act, a distinction is now also made for the middle segment. Based on the new housing assessment system, the following classification applies:

• Up to and including 143 points: Public housing
• 144 to 186 points: Medium-range housing
• 187 points and above: Private sector

Calculating points

The number of points for a home is determined by factors such as floor area, energy label, and WOZ value. To calculate the number of points for a home, you can use the Rent Check from the Rent Assessment Committee: https://www.huurcommissie.nl/support/huurprijscheck.

As of January 1, 2025, landlords will even be required to clearly inform tenants of the number of points their property has at the beginning of the lease. They must do this by providing the tenant with the points calculation.

Role of municipalities

In addition, as of January 1, 2025, municipalities can impose sanctions on landlords who do not comply with the Affordable Rent Act. For example, a municipality can impose a fine if the rent is too high. It is therefore important to check whether you have to comply with the maximum rent according to the point system.

Maximum Rent

Whether you must comply with the maximum rent under the points system depends on the classification of the property (social housing, medium rental or private sector) and the date on which the lease was signed. You must first determine whether the property qualifies as social housing, intermediate rental or private rental under the new points system. Only then should you look at the date the lease was signed. To make it easier for you, you can use the table below to check if you are subject to this requirement:

1. Lease signed before July 1, 2024 Public housing:

• Social housing: Obligation applies yes.
  Please note! For properties that were in the private sector at the start, the obligation only applies from July 1, 2025.
• Mid-range rental: Mandate does not apply.
• Private Sector: Mandate does not apply.

2. Lease signed on or after July 1, 2024 Public housing:

• Social housing: Obligation does apply.
• Mid-range rental: Obligation does apply.
• Private sector: Obligation does not apply.

Questions?

Do you have questions about the Affordable Rent Act? Feel free to contact me. Or would you like to know more about tenancy law and how our lawyers can help you? Take a look at our Tenancy law lawyers page.