The Green Push and the Tenant's Position
The Dutch government is actively encouraging homeowners to make their properties more sustainable (verduurzamen) through a range of attractive subsidies. Terms like 'double glazing grant', 'boiler replacement subsidy', and 'weatherization grant' all refer to components of this national push to improve energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. However, for a tenant, the single most important fact to understand is that these subsidies are designed for and paid out to property owners (i.e., your landlord) and Owner's Associations (VvE's). A tenant cannot apply for these grants directly, making their role one of an interested, but often powerless, observer.
The ISDE: The Main Subsidy Scheme for Owners
The majority of these grants are consolidated under a single national program: the Investeringssubsidie duurzame energie en energiebesparing (ISDE). This scheme provides landlords with a significant financial reimbursement when they invest in specific green technologies for their rental properties. The ISDE covers a wide range of improvements, including:
- Insulation (
Isolatie): This is the most effective measure. A landlord can receive a substantial subsidy for installing high-performance insulation in the roof, walls, and floor, and for upgrading windows from single or standard double-pane glass to modern HR++ or triple-pane glass (dubbel glas subsidie).
- Heating Systems: The scheme heavily promotes moving away from natural gas. Landlords can get a large subsidy for replacing an old gas boiler with a more efficient (hybrid) heat pump (
warmtepomp). Subsidies are also available for solar boilers (zonneboiler) for hot water.
- Ventilation: Grants may also be available for installing efficient mechanical ventilation systems, which are crucial for maintaining good air quality in a highly insulated home.
The Tenant's Double-Edged Sword
While a tenant benefits from these improvements through lower energy bills and increased comfort, the situation is a double-edged sword. The decision to invest rests solely with the landlord. A tenant can (and should) lobby their landlord to make these improvements, pointing out the available subsidies that would lower the landlord's costs. However, if the landlord does carry out the work, they are often legally entitled to a rent increase based on the 'home improvement' (woningverbetering). The tenant is then left to hope that their monthly savings on the energy bill will be greater than the monthly increase in their rent. The landlord receives the government subsidy, increases the long-term value of their property, and can charge a higher rent, while the tenant experiences the disruption of the renovation with an uncertain net financial outcome.
