Thousands of tenants don’t know they're entitled to rent benefit

The Dutch Housing Association (Woonbond) has calculated that thousands of tenants in the Netherlands fail to apply for the government’s rent allowance scheme (huurtoeslag) despite the fact that they are fully entitled to that money. 

Thousands in the Netherlands eligible for rent allowance

Under the rent allowance scheme, tenants in the Netherlands who meet certain requirements are eligible to receive a financial contribution from the Dutch government that goes towards monthly rent costs. The scheme is open to anyone - including expats - so long as they are registered in the Netherlands.

But the Housing Association believes that thousands of households across the country are missing out on the cash they’re entitled to, simply because they fail to double-check their rights and apply for the allowance. 

Apply for huurtoeslag

As of January 2020, new rules mean there are no more set income limits (i.e. you can apply for the allowance regardless of your salary). This rule change means that 115.000 households have recently become eligible, and the Housing Association feels there are many out there who aren't even aware of their eligibility.

“Even without a change in the law, many people leave the money behind, but with the new group of tenants who are entitled to the allowance, we expect that even more people will miss out,” a spokesperson explained.

Anyone renting a house can confirm their eligibility for the allowance via a tool on the website for the Dutch tax office (Belastingdienst). Tenants have until September 1 to retroactively apply for the allowance for 2020.

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