Rent Price Liberalisation Threshold Utrecht: what does this mean for your rental property?

Rent Price Liberalisation Threshold: what does this mean?

The rent price liberalisation threshold is a threshold value in Dutch tenancy law that determines whether a property in Utrecht falls under rent price regulation or whether the rent price can be freely determined. From 2021, this threshold has been increased, meaning more Utrecht properties no longer fall under social rent rules. Discover how this rule works and what it means for your rent price in Utrecht.

What is the rent price liberalisation threshold?

The rent price liberalisation threshold is a statutory threshold value that indicates whether a property is considered a social rent property or private sector. When the rent price is below this threshold, specific rules apply such as the points system (see our article on the points system), maximum rent increases and protection against unreasonable increases. Above this threshold, the rent price can be freely determined by the landlord.

Statutory basis

The rules regarding the rent price liberalisation threshold are laid down in:

• Rent Allowance Act (article 1, paragraph 2, sub a): determines the threshold values for social rent.
• Maximum Rent Increase Act: regulates how much the rent may increase for social rent properties.
• Housing Act: defines the categories of rental properties (social rent, other rent, private sector).

Current threshold values (2024)

Since 2021, the threshold values have been increased to move more properties out of social rent. The current threshold values are:

• € 808.06 per month for an independent dwelling.
• € 879.66 per month for a self-contained dwelling (2024 values).
• In Utrecht, the threshold may feel different due to high house prices, but the statutory threshold applies nationwide.

Important: When the rent price is higher than this threshold, the property is no longer considered a social rent property. This means that the landlord can freely determine the rent price and that you have no right to, for example, the points system or maximum rent increases.

How is the threshold determined?

The rent price liberalisation threshold is adjusted annually by the Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and the government. The calculation is based on:

• The rent price index: a measure of the development of rent price levels in the Netherlands.
• The average rent price in the private sector.

Difference between social rent and private sector

What does this mean for you as a tenant in Utrecht?

Whether you fall under rent price regulation depends on:

1. The amount of your rent price: is it below the liberalisation threshold?
2. The type of property: Utrecht social rent properties, student accommodations or private sector properties have different rules.
3. The date of your tenancy agreement: old Utrecht agreements may still fall under previous rules.

Practical examples Utrecht

Example 1: Social rent property Utrecht
You rent a property for €750 per month in the Lombok neighbourhood, Utrecht. This property falls under social rent because the rent is below the liberalisation threshold. You are entitled to:

• A maximum rent increase of 5.3% in 2024.
• Application of the points system.
• Rent allowance (depending on your income).

• The landlord determines the rent price and increases.
• No points system or regulated increases.
• No right to rent allowance.

Need help in Utrecht?

Do you have questions about your rent price? Contact:

• District Court Midden-Nederland: Vrouwe Justitiaplein 1, Utrecht
• Utrecht Legal Aid Office: Catharijnesingel 55, Utrecht