The Dutch government has announced that the updated maximum rent increase for the first half of 2024 will stand at 5,5 percent. This means that landlords in the private sector will be free to increase rents by up to 5,5 percent from January 1, 2024. 

Landlords can raise rents by 5,5 percent from January 1, 2024

In the free (private) sector for rentals in the Netherlands, the maximum rent increase is calculated by the government on the basis of the development of salaries or inflation (whichever is lower). The permitted rent increase applies to all types of housing in the private sector, including houses, studios and apartments. 

According to the government press release, inflation currently stands at 4,5 percent, while collective labour agreement wages rose 5,8 percent between December 2022 and December 2023. The inflation rate of 4,5 percent was therefore used to calculate the rent increase for 2024, with landlords also allowed to add an additional 1 percent, giving the total of 5,5 percent. 

The permitted rent increase of 5,5 percent applies between January 1, 2024, and May 1, 2024. You may receive notice of an annual rent increase sometime between these dates, depending on when your rental contract commenced. 

Law protecting tenants from high increases expires on May 1, 2024

The government will make another announcement later in December regarding the rent increase from July 1, 2024. 

The law regulating the cap on rent increases is due to expire on May 1, 2024. After it lapses, landlords will no longer be restricted on how much they can raise rents, and so tenants may find themselves facing steep rises. Outgoing Housing Minister Hugo de Jonge is currently working on a proposal to provide additional protection to tenants after May 1, 2024. 

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