As an expat, it is not always easy to find a nice place to live. Most of the time your employment contract has been signed or your job has already started. You are in a hurry, so if you do find a suitable livingspace, you jump at the opportunity and seal the deal. But do you know if you are paying too much rent for your flat, house or even just a room in a shared house?
In the Netherlands we have the ‘Woningwaarderingsstelsel’. This system awards points to features of rental homes such as the size, the bathroom and kitchen, outdoor space, etc. The amount of points correspond to a maximum rental fee. Is the rental fee in your lease higher than the maximum and does the maximum rental fee not exceed € 710,68? In that case you can send your landlord a rental reduction proposal. If your landlord does not agree, you can involve the ‘Huurcommissie’.
Are you interested in a rental fee check?
Feel free to ask for help. You may be eligible for a considerable rent reduction! But don’t wait too long if you pay more than € 710,68 a month. After the first 6 months of your lease, you won’t be able to protest.