Rent Increase Limitations for Social Housing Tenants in Westland

Social housing tenants in Westland may face a maximum rent increase of 3.3% in 2024, or slightly higher with an inflation adjustment, but always aligned with their income. Housing associations such as Vidomes and WestlandWonen in Westland must verify individual incomes for increases above the liberalisation threshold. Tenants can lodge an objection within 6 weeks of the notification with the Rent Tribunal in The Hague, which handles many cases from the Westland region. In the context of appropriate allocation (passend toewijzen) in Westland, where affordable housing is scarce due to greenhouse horticulture and a tight housing market, any rent increase must never jeopardise affordability. The inflation clause is limited to government decisions. In Westland, successful objections often lead to recalculations, partly due to local pressure from tenants' organisations. This protects low-income earners, such as seasonal workers in the horticulture sector, from sharp price increases and contributes to stable housing costs in municipalities like Naaldwijk, Monster, and Kwintsheul.