New Rent Check now also available in English
The Wet betaalbare huur (Affordable Rent Act) entered into force on 1 July 2024. Since then, new rights and obligations have applied. A larger group of tenants and landlords can now apply to the Rent Tribunal. The Rent Tribunal’s new Rent Check is a highly reliable tool to check whether the rent of a property or room is reasonable. The Rent Check is now also available in English.
The Rent Check, developed by the Rent Tribunal, was completely renewed with effect from 1 July 2024, and has since been further improved. Two new Rent Checks are now available: one for Rent Check for self-contained accommodations (with, for example, a private front door, kitchen and shower), and a Rent Check for shared accommodations (such as room rentals with a shared front door and other communal areas). This enables the tenant and landlord to choose the Rent Check that suits their situation.
Current points score system in the new Rent Check
The Affordable Rent Act has introduced a new rental sector: the middle sector. Tenants and landlords in this sector with a tenancy agreement concluded on or after 1 July 2024 can now also apply to the Rent Tribunal. The middle sector includes rented housing with a quality points score between 144 and 186 under the housing valuation system (WWS) and a corresponding rent between EUR 879.67 and EUR 1 157.95. Maximum rents for social housing (up to 143 points) have been in place for some time. This has not changed. The Rent Tribunal has implemented the new housing valuation system and the corresponding points scores in the Rent Check. As a result, the Rent Check is a highly reliable tool to check whether the rent of a property or a room is reasonable. In addition, everyone can use the Rent Check to calculate a points score themselves, free of charge.
Also available on tablet and smartphone
The Rent Tribunal’s new Rent Check can be used on a tablet and a smartphone, as well as on a laptop or PC. New applications are the automatic loading of the energy label for the property, and a more user-friendly functionality to add indoor and outdoor spaces. Navigating the Rent Check is now easier and more intuitive than in previous versions. Where required, an information symbol enables users to obtain explanations or additional information on specific topics. Users can also easily download an overview of the results of the Rent Check and save it as a PDF. These adjustments were made in response to the results of a survey among users (tenants and landlords) of the old Rent Check, commissioned by the Rent Tribunal. The new design has also been extensively tested.
Dispute resolution now also available for the middle sector
The Rent Tribunal is an independent and impartial dispute resolution body for tenants and landlords. If they are unable to resolve the matter together, they may, in a number of cases, apply to the Rent Tribunal for a binding decision. The Rent Tribunal issues its decisions on the basis of the law. Tenants and landlords can submit a dispute to the Rent Tribunal via MijnHuurcommissie. They can apply to the Rent Tribunal if the tenancy agreement was concluded on or after 1 July 2024 and the rent is not (or not yet) appropriate to a housing value of up to 186 points (rents of up to EUR 1 157.95). This means that tenants and landlords with tenancy agreements that fall under the new mid-market sector can already apply to the Rent Tribunal. Tenants in the social sector have always been able to turn to the Rent Tribunal.
Private housing sector
Tenants and landlords in the private housing sector (187 points or more, rents above EUR 1 157.95) with a tenancy agreement concluded on or after 1 July 2024 can always ask the Rent Tribunal to assess the initial rent or service charges.