Renting Housing in Amsterdam: City Hall Permit Required for Move-In

As of July 1, 2025, a new regulation for renting mid-market housing has come into effect in Amsterdam. To move into such apartments, tenants must first obtain a permit issued by the municipality, provided certain conditions are met. The city expects this system to bring more order to the housing market.

New Rental Rules

A year earlier, the Netherlands introduced the Affordable Rent Act (Wet Betaalbare Huur), setting an upper limit on rents in the mid-market segment. However, wealthier households often still managed to access these homes, pushing out middle-income families. The new permit requirement aims to ensure that this housing stock is preserved for the target group — middle-income households.

Deputy Mayor for Housing Zita Pels emphasized that the licensing system will help guarantee access for those who need it most, calling them “vital for the capital.”

Conditions for Obtaining a Permit

Applies to homes scoring 144–186 points under the Dutch housing evaluation system.

Maximum base rent: €1,184.82 per month (excluding additional costs).

Income thresholds:

Singles: up to €81,633/year

Multi-person households: up to €89,821/year

Applications can be submitted by residents over 18 via the municipality portal. Applicants must provide ID, proof of income, landlord approval, and property details. Permits are issued within two weeks (sometimes up to eight). They remain valid only if all tenants are officially registered at the address.

Landlords, especially housing corporations, are responsible for checking permits before tenants move in. During the first months, enforcement will be more lenient to allow both sides to adapt.

Rising Rent Trends

According to CBS, from July 2023 to July 2024, average rents in the Netherlands rose by 5.4%, the highest growth in 30 years.

Free sector: +5%

Regulated sector: +5.6%

Rotterdam: +5.9%

Utrecht: +5.8%

Amsterdam: +5.2%

The Hague: +5.4%

In Q1 2025, average asking rents reached €19.64/m², with apartments renting higher (€20.77) than houses (€15.84). Amsterdam remains the most expensive market: €27.03/m² (+1.2% year-on-year).

Meanwhile, the number of listings dropped by 35.5%, while responses per ad jumped by 47%. According to Cushman & Wakefield, average rents grew almost 13% year-on-year by Q1 2025, while transactions in the mid- and free-market segments fell by nearly 20%.

Balancing the Market

The 2024 rental law already moved around 300,000 homes out of the free market. Many small landlords exited the market, selling their properties, while large investors shifted to higher-end assets. Amsterdam’s new permit system may help restore balance by keeping mid-market housing accessible. Authorities stress that violations could result in canceled contracts and fines.