Rules for Exchanging Social Rental Housing in Rotterdam

Exchanging social rental housing in Rotterdam is possible with the approval of local housing corporations such as Woonbron, Havensteder, or TRIA. Both tenants must exchange properties appropriately according to Rotterdam’s rules: no upward move in size, price, or neighborhood status. Submit an application to your housing corporation with a motivation, such as proximity to work in the port or family in Rotterdam-Zuid, along with mutual consent. The corporation will verify solvency, rent arrears, and whether the exchange aligns with the local housing development program. Approval is granted within 4 weeks; refusal occurs only for compelling reasons, such as a history of nuisance or violation of appropriate allocation rules. This process promotes mobility in Rotterdam, where the waiting time for social housing is often 7-10 years. Use platforms like Ruilwoning.nl or the Rotterdamse Woningruil-app to find matches in neighborhoods such as Charlois, Feijenoord, or IJsselmonde. In case of a dispute over refusal, engage the Rotterdam subdistrict court or seek mediation via the Juridisch Loket Rotterdam.