Rent Price Determination in Temporary Rental Contracts in Utrecht
In Utrecht, where the rental market is under pressure due to student housing and expat rentals, the rent price cap under article 7:249 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW) also applies to short-term rentals. The maximum rent price is determined via the housing valuation system (WWS), with points for surface area, facilities such as central heating and energy performance. Landlords in neighborhoods such as Kanaleneiland or Lombok may not charge excessive amounts, despite the high demand for temporary housing.
Indexation and Adjustment in Utrecht
The annual rent increase is limited to the inflation rate plus 1% (article 7:247 BW). For short-term contracts, often used for temporary jobs at universities or companies such as ASML in the region, the adjustment must be notified in writing and in a timely manner. Tenants in Utrecht can object to the Rent Tribunal if the price exceeds the WWS maximum; the tribunal handles many cases from the city.
Practical Tips for Tenants in Utrecht
Use the rent price check on huurcommissie.nl to test your rent against Utrecht standards. In case of exceedance, you can demand a rent reduction with retroactive effect up to two years. For temporary rentals in Utrecht, no liberalization criterion applies, so always WWS control, even for luxury apartments in the city center. Local residents' initiatives such as the Utrecht Rent Team offer free advice in disputes.
Recent rulings by the Supreme Court emphasize that creeping price increases via repeated short-term contracts are illegal, a common problem in Utrecht student neighborhoods.