More than 76,000 rental homes have already disappeared from the market – landlords complain about affordable rent legislation
Since the introduction of the Affordable Rent Act in 2024, over 76,000 rental homes have been sold off by landlords across the Netherlands, tightening housing supply. Rental prices are simultaneously rising faster than inflation, with Amsterdam, Amstelveen, and Haarlem remaining among the most expensive areas for tenants.
According to new data from the housing platform Pararius, more than 76,000 rental properties have been removed from the housing market across the Netherlands since the implementation of the Wet betaalbare huur, or Affordable Rent Act, in 2024. Industry experts warn that the legislation has prompted landlords to sell off properties, including those in the high-end segment, due to concerns over profitability and rising tax burdens. This trend is further constricting housing availability as landlords continue to offload assets.
Simultaneously, rental prices continue to climb, with national square meter costs rising by 4.4 percent compared to the previous year, outpacing both inflation and purchase price growth. In Amsterdam, the average price reached 28.56 euros per square meter, making it the most expensive city for renters in the country, followed by Amstelveen and Haarlem. While some municipalities previously saw growth in free-sector housing, the current surge in rental property sales is creating significant challenges for tenants across the region.
Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
