When am I entitled to rent reduction?

The short answer

You can request rent reduction if you are paying too much rent according to the housing valuation system (points system). This system determines the maximum rent based on points for area, amenities, energy label and neighborhood. If your current rent is higher than this calculated maximum rent, you are paying too much. The Rent Committee can then lower your rent to the correct amount. This right applies to all tenants in the social and private sector up to the liberalization limit.

What does the law say?

The Dutch Civil Code and the Implementation Act on Rent Prices for Housing regulate when you are entitled to rent reduction. The law states that every rental property has a maximum rent based on the points system. Landlords are not allowed to charge more than this legal maximum rent. If they do, you can enforce a lower rent through the Rent Committee. The rules apply to all rental properties below the liberalization limit, regardless of whether it is social housing or the private sector.

What should you pay attention to?

Pay close attention to the liberalization limit of €879.66 per month - above this, the points system no longer applies. Check whether your property has been correctly assessed in terms of area, amenities and energy label. Many landlords make mistakes in the point count. The neighborhood points can also be misjudged.

Example from practice

Sanne rents an apartment of 65m² for €750 per month. Through the points system, she calculates that her dwelling has 142 points, which corresponds to a maximum rent of €650. So she is paying €100 per month too much. Sanne files a request with the Rent Committee with photos and measurements as proof. The Rent Committee rules in her favor and reduces the rent to €650 per month. Sanne also gets the overpaid rent of the past year back.

What can you do?

Start by calculating the correct rent price through the points system and gather evidence.