Huurdokters

HUURDOKTERS

23 april 2020

Does your rent increase meet the requirements?

Although a rent increase is not something you’ll be happy to receive as a tenant even under normal circumstances, given the current situation it might be even more unpleasant. Still, this month many tenants will receive a proposal to increase the rent from their lessors. Is there something you can do about this? Once a year, lessors are allowed to propose a rent increase, the maximum percentage of which is annually determined by the government. For this year the maximum increase for rooms is set at 4.1%. For independent living spaces with non-liberalized prices, the rent may increase with no more than 5.1% to 6.6%, depending on the income of the tenant. These percentages are effective from July 1st and most lessors will seize the opportunity to increase immediately.


The proposal to increase is allowed in principle. However, that does not automatically mean that you have to agree to it or that proposed rent increases are always valid. A proposal for rent increase must satisfy certain legal terms before it can enter into effect. Many increases that are objected are consequently annulled. 


There are a number of formal requirements for a proposal for rent increase. These state for example that both the old and the new price must be mentioned explicitly, as well as the percentage of the increase and the starting date. Furthermore, the proposal must contain an explanation of how to object and within what time frame. Finally, the consequences of not objecting must be explained. 


In case one of these requirements are not met, you do not need to agree to the proposal as a tenant. Moreover, an increase based on an incomplete proposal is not valid to begin with. This does not only apply to the proposal for rent increase you may receive in April, but it also applies to proposed rent increases from the past. This means that it is possible that the increase in rent over the past year is unduly paid and that there is a possibility to claim it back. 


Are you wondering whether the proposal for rent increase you received is valid? Upload the proposal here  and apply for a free diagnosis of your situation. Or go directly to the objection form here .

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