Challenging Rent Increases in Rotterdam: Legal Limits and Local Tips

In Rotterdam, with its vibrant housing market and many social housing units in neighborhoods like Charlois and Feijenoord, a rent increase can cause significant tension between tenant and landlord. According to the Rent Act, a landlord may only increase the rent annually by a percentage set by the government, often linked to inflation. For 2024, this maximum is 5.3% for unregulated sector properties, while the regulated sector has stricter limits via the Rent Committee. Does the proposed increase exceed this limit? Then file an objection. Send a registered letter with your arguments to the landlord within two months of receipt, such as Havensteder or Woonbron, which are very active in Rotterdam. No response? Submit a request to the Rent Committee for a binding decision. Note the liberalization threshold of €808.06 (2024) for housing associations. Gather evidence such as your tenancy agreement, the increase letter, and the WOZ value of your Rotterdam property. In case of acute risk of financial problems, you can involve the district court in Rotterdam for suspension. Landlords must notify the increase in writing with a clear calculation, and tenants have the right to inspect the property's point assessment. In Rotterdam, the Legal Aid Office in the city (e.g., at Schiedamseweg) offers free advice for tenants. This way, you effectively defend your rights, keep costs under control, and benefit from local support. Always check the latest rules on rijksoverheid.nl, as percentages change annually.