Maximum Rent Increase Rules After Liberalisation in Utrecht

In Utrecht’s liberalised private sector housing, there are no statutory maximums for rent increases following liberalisation. Landlords and tenants negotiate freely, often annually based on CPI plus 2-3%, partly due to high demand in districts such as Kanaleneiland and Lombok. Social housing rent in Utrecht remains capped at inflation (3.3% in 2024) plus costs for housing improvements. Transition rules for existing tenants: in the first year of liberalisation, a maximum increase of 5% applies, with a staggered scale of 4% in the first year, 5% in the second year, and no restrictions thereafter. The Good Landlordship Act (2019) prohibits unreasonable increases; in case of a complaint, the Rent Tribunal assesses reasonableness, with a Utrecht branch located at CatharijneSingel for swift processing. Indexation follows CBS inflation figures. Tenants in Utrecht must approve a rent increase proposal within two months; silence thereafter constitutes consent. Disputes are resolved via the Utrecht subdistrict court. In practice, rents in Utrecht and similar Randstad markets rise by 7-10% due to housing shortages, with peaks around Utrecht Central Station and Science Park. Local tip: include fixed rental periods in contracts to mitigate fluctuations. Fiscal note: higher rents in Utrecht affect mortgage interest tax relief. The Municipality of Utrecht provides template letters via [utrecht.nl](https://www.utrecht.nl). During the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary caps were in place. Future developments: the EU directive on affordable housing may impose limits, aligning with Utrecht’s Housing Construction Programme. This clearly distinguishes Utrecht’s housing sectors.