Home Security Subsidies (PKVW)

Securing Your Home

While direct "grants" for a burglar alarm are rare, the main framework for home security in the Netherlands is the Politiekeurmerk Veilig Wonen (PKVW), or the "Police Hallmark for Safe Living." This is a certification that a home meets a specific set of security standards for its locks, lighting, and window hardware.

The responsibility for providing a secure home falls on the landlord. Basic safety measures, including functional locks on all doors and windows and mandatory smoke detectors (rookmelders), are the landlord's legal obligation.

Some municipalities occasionally offer temporary subsidies to encourage residents—almost always homeowners—to upgrade their properties to meet the PKVW standard. This is because PKVW-certified homes are statistically much less likely to be burgled, which benefits the whole community. A homeowner with PKVW certification may also receive a discount on their home insurance.

For a tenant, the PKVW serves as a useful benchmark. You can check if your property has high-quality locks and security features. If you feel the security is substandard, you can request improvements from your landlord. Pointing out that these upgrades increase the property's value and may make it eligible for certification can be a persuasive argument.