Luntero

Glossary

Understanding the Dutch Housing System

The Netherlands has a unique housing system that balances social housing with private rentals. Points systems, waiting lists, and housing corporations shape how and where people can rent. This section explains the structure, rules, and processes so you can better navigate the market.

Terms available

Showing 1–24 of 90 rental terms

Co-operative Housing

A housing model where residents collectively own and manage their own properties, a niche sector in the Netherlands that receives some government support for its creation.

Dutch Housing System

Social Housing Corporation Subsidies

The indirect government financial support that allows non-profit housing corporations to build and maintain affordable social housing for low-income tenants.

Dutch Housing System

Middle-Income Housing Support

An explanation of the limited support and specific housing projects ('middenhuur') aimed at middle-income earners who earn too much for social housing but not enough for the expensive free market.

Dutch Housing System

Application Expiry

The timeframe after which a rental application or a position on a waiting list is no longer considered valid, a key concept in the social housing system.

Dutch Housing System

Over-subscription

The common situation where a rental property receives far more applications from qualified candidates than can be accepted, driving the market's intense competition.

Dutch Housing System

Rent Liberalisation Threshold

The specific basic rent price, set annually by the government, that determines whether a property falls into the protected regulated sector or the free market sector.

Dutch Housing System

Housing Valuation System

The official points-based system used in the regulated sector to determine the maximum legal rent for a property based on its quality, size, and location.

Dutch Housing System

Housing Innovation Fund

A 'housing innovation fund' is a high-level government or industry fund to support new construction technologies and policies, not a resource for individual tenants.

Dutch Housing System

Public Area Improvement Allowance

No 'allowance' exists for tenants to improve public areas; this is a municipal responsibility that residents can influence through formal requests and participation.

Dutch Housing System

Seismic Retrofit Subsidy

A 'seismic retrofit' is the technical term for the earthquake-proofing of buildings in Groningen, a subsidized process that is geographically unique and not applicable elsewhere.

Dutch Housing System

Structural Reinforcement Grant

This is a highly specific grant program exclusively for reinforcing homes against earthquakes in the Groningen gas extraction area and is irrelevant for the rest of the Netherlands.

Dutch Housing System

Digitalization Subsidy Housing

This is a corporate or governmental term for funding landlords' digital systems; it is not a subsidy that tenants can apply for.

Dutch Housing System

Flood Resilience Grant

Flood resilience grants are not available to individual tenants; flood protection in the Netherlands is a massive national infrastructure project.

Dutch Housing System

Community Housing Fund

There is no single 'Community Housing Fund' in the Netherlands; the concept is fulfilled by the social investment activities of housing corporations and municipalities.

Dutch Housing System

Mortgage Assistance Subsidy

General mortgage assistance subsidies do not exist for renters; specific schemes like the National Mortgage Guarantee (NHG) are available only to homebuyers.

Dutch Housing System

Mortgage Interest Relief

Mortgage interest relief is a major tax deduction for homeowners in the Netherlands and is completely irrelevant for tenants.

Dutch Housing System

Capital Gains Relief on Housing

Capital gains relief on housing means that any profit made from selling your primary residence in the Netherlands is completely tax-free.

Dutch Housing System

Mortgage Interest Deduction

The mortgage interest deduction is a major tax benefit allowing homeowners in the Netherlands to deduct interest payments on their mortgage from their taxable income.

Dutch Housing System

Income Tax Deduction for Housing

An income tax deduction for housing in the Netherlands is a major financial benefit almost exclusively available to homeowners through the mortgage interest deduction.

Dutch Housing System

Loan Guarantee Scheme

A loan guarantee scheme in the Dutch housing market primarily refers to the National Mortgage Guarantee (NHG), which insures banks against losses from mortgage defaults.

Dutch Housing System

BENG Subsidy

There is no direct 'BENG subsidy'; BENG is a mandatory energy performance standard for all new buildings, not a subsidized option.

Dutch Housing System

Social Impact Housing Bond

A social impact housing bond is a financial tool used by institutions to fund affordable housing, operating entirely behind the scenes from a tenant's perspective.

Dutch Housing System