What is starter rent in Utrecht and how does it work?
Starter rent, introduced as of 1 July 2024 via the Starter Rent Act (article 7:255a Dutch Civil Code), enables landlords in Utrecht to charge young tenants (18-28 years) higher rents for mid-range rental properties. This applies particularly to new-build projects in neighbourhoods such as Kanaleneiland, Overvecht or Merwedekwartier and renovated buildings with a maximum gross rent of €1,146 per month. In Utrecht, where the waiting time for social housing is often 10 years, this offers an alternative for first-time entrants on the Utrecht housing market.
Pitfalls and protection in Utrecht
The starter rent agreement terminates automatically after a maximum of two years, without termination protection during that period. Young tenants in Utrecht thereby lose entitlement to standard rent protection, but retain the right to rent price controls via the Rent Tribunal. Beware of abuse: landlords who improperly use starter rent for tenants older than 28 years risk the contract being invalid. The municipality of Utrecht strictly enforces this to prevent speculation.
Rights upon expiry in Utrecht
After two years, regular tenancy law applies. Tenants must themselves terminate in good time to avoid double rent payments in Utrecht properties. The law prohibits landlords from terminating midway, except in cases of serious non-payment or nuisance. In addition, the municipality of Utrecht sets quotas for starter rent in new-build projects; check the Utrecht Housing Allocation Ordinance on the municipality's website for specific conditions and available addresses in your neighbourhood.