Over Half of Dutch Residents Experience Housing Stress Amidst Rental Shortage
More than half of residents in the Netherlands report housing stress due to the current rental shortage and market challenges.
NL Rental News
Table of Contents
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Understand Dutch rental terms before you sign the lease.
Renting in the Netherlands comes with unique rules, legal phrases, and housing abbreviations that can be tricky. The Luntero Rental Glossary is your guide to every rental term — from tenancy agreements, deposits, and agency fees to utility charges, rent control, and tenant rights. Whether you’re new to renting, moving as an expat, or just want to avoid hidden costs, our glossary helps you rent smarter, negotiate better, and protect yourself from mistakes.
Over Half of Dutch Residents Experience Housing Stress Amidst Rental Shortage
More than 52% of people living in the Netherlands report experiencing housing stress, a direct result of the acute shortage in rental properties. From unexpected life changes such as divorce or financial setbacks to the challenges faced by recent graduates, the Dutch rental market is putting unprecedented strain on tenants and homeowners alike.
What Is Housing Stress?
Housing stress occurs when individuals or families spend a disproportionate amount of income on housing or struggle to secure a suitable home. According to a recent study by ING, over half of Dutch residents have either personally felt this pressure or witnessed it in their neighbourhoods. Common triggers include:
Urgent need to relocate due to life events (divorce, job loss, graduation)
Lack of available rental properties within budget
Rising living costs and energy bills
By affecting both renters and homeowners, housing stress threatens privacy, stability, and overall well-being.
The Scale of the Problem
The ING study highlights several stark statistics:
52% of respondents reported experiencing or observing housing stress.
40% know someone forced to leave their home due to a lack of options.
14% have themselves needed to live temporarily with friends or family.
6% have provided short-term accommodation to someone in need.
On average, those who leave their homes stay with hosts for about six months. According to Wim Flikweert, ING’s housing manager, “The impact is enormous—think of a divorce where you have to quickly find a new house in your own neighbourhood for yourself and your children, in a market that’s far too tight.”
Shared Living: A Double-Edged Sword
Many residents turn to shared housing as a stop-gap solution. While it can offer immediate relief, it often introduces new stresses:
Lack of privacy and personal space
Conflicting schedules and lifestyles
Disputes over utilities, chores, and energy consumption
Impact on major life decisions—72% of those sharing delay milestones like marriage or starting a family
These tensions underscore that shared living is not a long-term fix but a symptom of the broader market shortage.
Market Dynamics: More Homes on the Market, but Not Enough
Recent data from the Dutch association of real estate agents, NVM (Nederlandse Vereniging van Makelaars), shows an uptick in houses listed for sale:
46,000 homes went on the market between July and September—the highest since 2008.
Average transaction prices have stabilized at around €496,000.
Regions in the north and south saw the steepest price rises, while Amsterdam experienced a slight 0.3% price drop.
Despite this surge, many landlords are selling properties due to new regulations such as the Affordable Rent Act—a measure to cap certain rents—and increased taxation on rental income. The result is a continued squeeze on rental supply, especially in major cities like Amsterdam.
Proposed Solutions by ING and NVM
Both ING and NVM are calling on the Dutch government to implement realistic, targeted solutions:
Accelerate construction of new housing units, prioritizing areas with the greatest demand.
Streamline permitting processes and remove unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.
Support landlord rentals by offering incentives or easing tax burdens, encouraging more rental properties to remain on the market.
Utilize existing housing stock through regulated home-sharing schemes, allowing homeowners to rent out spare rooms (with safeguards to protect tenants).
Promote collaboration between national, regional, and local authorities to align policies and leverage on-the-ground expertise.
As Lana Goutsmits-Gerssen, chair of NVM Wonen, warns: “The housing market doesn’t need promises, but policies that work.”
Practical Tips for Renters Facing Housing Stress
While systemic change is critical, tenants can also take proactive steps:
Start Your Search Early: Give yourself a minimum of two to three months to explore options.
Expand Your Radius: Consider up-and-coming neighbourhoods in nearby towns or suburbs.
Prepare Documentation: Have proof of income, bank statements, and references ready to speed up applications.
Network: Join local expat or tenant groups on social media and community platforms.
Explore ‘Part-time’ Rentals: Look into room-sharing or subletting agreements that comply with Dutch housing regulations.
By combining these tactics with broader policy advocacy, tenants can better navigate the tight market while awaiting long-term improvements.
Conclusion
Housing stress affects more than half of residents in the Netherlands, cutting across demographics and life stages. While shared living arrangements and increased home listings offer temporary relief, substantial policy reforms and construction efforts are needed to address the root causes.
Looking for a simpler way to find your next home? For the widest range of rental listings and expert guidance on navigating the Dutch housing market, turn to Luntero, your trusted partner for stress-free renting.
Luntero Rental Glossary
Understand Dutch rental terms before you sign the lease.
Renting in the Netherlands comes with unique rules, legal phrases, and housing abbreviations that can be tricky. The Luntero Rental Glossary is your guide to every rental term — from tenancy agreements, deposits, and agency fees to utility charges, rent control, and tenant rights. Whether you’re new to renting, moving as an expat, or just want to avoid hidden costs, our glossary helps you rent smarter, negotiate better, and protect yourself from mistakes.
