Housing permit The Hague

New rules for tenants and landlords came into effect in July 2019. This may have been some time ago, but if you have not previously looked for a rental property in The Hague, the housing permit may be a new concept for you. You must apply for a housing permit if you are going to rent a private property. By introducing this measure, the Hague city council aims to curb the crisis in the housing market.

What is a housing permit?

A housing permit is a permit that allows you to live in a lower priced rental property. This way, the municipality of The Hague tries to ensure that these cheaper properties are rented to people with lower incomes. If you are planning to rent from a housing association, you do not need to do anything yourself. The housing association will arrange the housing permit in The Hague.

Why obtain a housing permit in The Hague?

The crisis in the housing market has been ongoing for some time. The municipality of The Hague wants the small number of properties that are available to be distributed more fairly. There is a particular shortage of independent rental properties for people on a median income. They are often unable to afford the rental properties that are available. By introducing a housing permit, The Hague wants to regulate the rental market and free up more homes for this group.

When do you need a housing permit in The Hague?

As mentioned earlier, this permit is required to be eligable for a cheaper private rental property. What do we mean by a cheaper property? The permit is required for an independent property that has 186 (Home Valuation) points or less, regardless of rent price. You also need a housing permit in The Hague for an independent property with a rent price of € 988,61 or less, even if the property has more than 186 points.

Are you entitled to a housing permit?

Since a lower priced independent rental property is not the only condition for obtaining a housing permit, you may also be wondering what other conditions apply. Different conditions apply to an independent rental property with a rent price of up to € 763.47 per month than to a rental property with a rent price between €763.47 and € 988.61 per month.

The conditions for an independent property with a rent price of up to € 763.47 per month are as follows:

You are at least 18 years old
You have a valid EEA passport or residence permit
Your household’s taxable annual income is €49,013 or less
The independent property has a minimum of 12 square metres of usable floor space per person
If the property has more than 80 square metres of living space, at least 3 persons must live there

For properties with a rent price between €763.47 and €988.61 per month or properties with 185 points or less with a rent price above €763.47 per month, the following conditions apply:

You are at least 18 years old
You have a valid EEA passport or residence permit
Your taxable annual income is less than €61,148 if you live alone
Your taxable annual income is less than €77,521 if your household consists of two or more persons
The independent property has a minimum of 12 square metres of usable floor space per person

Whether you are entitled to a housing permit in The Hague therefore depends on your income, the rent price and size of the property, and your family situation.

How can you apply for a housing permit in The Hague?

If you wish to rent an independent property from a housing association, you do not need to apply for a permit. The housing association will arrange this for you. Applying for a housing permit in The Hague is only necessary if you are going to rent a private property that meets the aforementioned conditions. You can apply for a housing permit in The Hague through the municipality.

Requirements

To apply for a housing permit in The Hague, you will need a number of documents. Which documents you need depends on your personal situation. In any case, you will need recent proof of income. This applies to yourself as well as any other members of your household. The proof of income can’t be older than 3 months. Think of, for example, a payslip, employer’s statement or a monthly overview of your benefits or pension. On the municipality’s website, you can read what proof you can submit if you are a self-employed entrepreneur or student.

You will also need valid proof of identity, a copy of the tenancy agreement signed by you and the landlord, or written permission from the landlord to live in the property (owner’s statement). If the tenancy agreement is not in your name, you must explain why this is the case. The cost of applying for a housing permit is €48,25 in 2022.

Difference between a residence permit and a housing permit in The Hague

The terms residence permit and housing permit are sometimes confused. You only need a residence permit if you want to live in a property that was not originally intended as living space. This applies to, for example, an office building that has been converted into living space. The zoning plan for the space differs from how you want to use it. You therefore need a permit to change the zoning plan and officially convert it into a home.

You need a housing permit in The Hague if you want to rent an independent property with a rent price of less than €988,61 per month. The Hague is not the only place that has this measure in place to curb the crisis in the housing market. In other municipalities, you may also need to apply for a housing permit if you want to rent an independent property. The requirements may differ, so be sure to check the website of the relevant municipality for more information.

Renting without a housing permit

Regulating the housing market is only possible if enforcement is actually carried out, and that is what the Municipality of The Hague is doing with increasing stringency. The Hague Property Brigade keeps a close eye on housing permits and whether everything is being done according to the rules. If a property is let out by a non-professional landlord without a permit, the fine is €5,000 and even €10,000 for a second offense. Professional landlords are punished even more severely. For the first offence, a professional landlord will be fined €10,000 and €20,000 for the second offense.

It is not just the landlord who is punished by the municipality of The Hague. If you rent a house without a housing permit, when this is mandatory, you risk a fine of €410. In addition to the unpleasant fine, the municipality can enforce through the courts that you must leave the property. The risks of renting without a housing permit in The Hague are considerable.

Would you like more information about renting a property in The Hague? Then take a look at our Interhouse letting agents The Hague page.

Huisvestingsvergunning Den Haag