Renting out a house in The Hague: all the rules for 2025

Rules for renting out a house in The Hague

In The Hague, renting out rooms without a permit is allowed for up to three tenants. For four or more tenants, a conversion permit is required. Other regulations also apply, such as the housing valuation system, housing permits, and the purchase protection rule for recently bought homes.

 

Why are rental rules in The Hague so strict?

The Hague enforces strict rental rules to prevent abuses in the housing market and to better protect tenants. Due to high housing demand and the presence of many international students and expats, unfair practices are a risk — think of excessive rents, poor housing conditions, or discrimination in the rental process. The municipality enforces clear rules to promote fair renting and guarantee housing quality.

 

Key rental laws and regulations in The Hague

In 2025, several laws affect both landlords and tenants in The Hague. Here's an overview of the most important ones:

 

Good Landlordship Act

Since July 1, 2023, the Good Landlordship Act (Wet goed verhuurderschap) has been in effect. It obligates landlords to follow specific conduct rules. Key points include:

• Maximum deposit: Landlords may request no more than two months’ base rent as a deposit for contracts starting after July 1, 2023.
• Always a written lease: Every rental agreement must be on paper to ensure clarity.
• Inform tenants properly: Landlords must inform tenants in writing about their rights and obligations.
• No unfair service charges: Only real costs may be passed on. An annual breakdown of these costs is required.
• No intimidation or discrimination: Tenants must not be harassed or discriminated against based on, for example, ethnicity, gender, or age.
• Clear rules for labor migrants: Rental info must be provided in a language they understand, and rental contracts must be separate from employment contracts.
• Municipal complaint hotline: Since January 1, 2024, tenants can report landlord misconduct to their municipality.
• Strict enforcement: Municipalities may impose fines or even take over property management if landlords fail to comply.
   

Affordable Rent Act

Effective from July 1, 2024, the Affordable Rent Act (Wet betaalbare huur) ensures rental prices better reflect a home’s quality. As of 2024, a maximum rent also applies to mid-range rental properties. From 2025 onwards, municipalities can act against excessive rents to create more affordable housing and better tenant protection.

• Rent calculation tools: The city provides tools like a rent calculator to check if your rent meets the rules.
• Report unfair rental behavior: From January 1, 2025, tenants can report excessively high rents via a special complaint point.
   

Fixed Rental Contracts Act

Since July 1, 2024, temporary rental contracts in the Netherlands are only allowed in specific cases. In most situations, landlords must now offer permanent leases. Temporary rentals are still allowed in the following cases:

• Student housing: For students temporarily living in another city during their studies.
• Renovation or demolition: Short-term contracts for tenants who must leave due to major renovations.
• Social care transitions: Temporary housing for people transitioning out of shelters.
• Second chance contracts: For tenants previously evicted due to nuisance, as a final opportunity.
• Youth inheriting a home: Orphans aged 16–27 who take over their parents’ lease.
• Separated parents: For parents going through a divorce who need to stay near their children.
• Status holders: Refugees with residency permits awaiting permanent housing.
   

These exceptions ensure flexibility in specific cases, while permanent contracts remain the default for most.

 

Purchase protection in The Hague

What is purchase protection?

The Hague has implemented purchase protection to prevent investors from buying cheaper homes to rent out, keeping more houses available for owner-occupants. This applies to homes with a WOZ value up to €450,000.

How does it work?

If you buy a home within this WOZ limit, you may not rent it out unless:

• The home changed ownership after March 1, 2022,
• And it wasn't rented out in the previous six months.
   

When is renting still allowed in The Hague?

You may apply for a permit in these cases:

• Family rental: Renting to parents, children, or siblings.
• Temporary rental: If you've lived there for at least one year and want to rent it for no more than one year.
• Mixed use: The home is part of a shop, office, or business.
   

What happens if you break the rules?

Renting without a permit can result in fines between €10,000 and €40,000. Want to apply or learn more? Check the municipality of The Hague’s website.

 

Rules for room rentals

Room rentals involve multiple people sharing a home without being a couple or family. This is popular among young people, international students, and labor migrants due to its affordability and flexibility.

Each tenant has their own room and shares the kitchen, bathroom, and sometimes the living room. This housing type is popular in cities like The Hague, where affordable temporary housing is in high demand.

New rules for room rentals

• Without a permit, you may rent to a maximum of 2 people if you don’t live in the home.
• If you do live in the home, you may rent out only 1 room without a permit.
• For 3 or more tenants, a conversion permit is required. Max: 8 residents per property.
• No permits are issued in vulnerable neighborhoods.
• Each tenant must have at least 18 m² of space (room + shared areas).
• For 5 or more tenants, extra rules apply for soundproofing and fire safety. You must also file a usage notification at the omgevingsloket.

 

Districts in The Hague where room rental permits are possible

The Hague municipality has listed districts where room rental permits can still be applied for:

• (03) Westbroekpark en Duttendel
• (04) Benoordenhout
• (05) Archipelbuurt
• (10) Zorgvliet
• (13) Vogelwijk
• (15) Kijkduin en Ockenburgh
• (16) Kraayenstein en Vroondaal
• (43) Forepark
• (44) Leidschenveen

 

How to apply for a temporary rental permit in The Hague

As a property owner, you may apply for a permit if:

✔️ The rental is temporary (max. 1 year)
✔️ You rent to 1st or 2nd-degree relatives
✔️ You rent part of a home attached to a shop, office, or business

 

Rent protection and rent increases

Since 2025, stricter laws protect tenants from excessive rental prices. If you rent out a house in The Hague, you must take these into account.

Protection against unreasonable rents

Under the Affordable Rent Act, landlords can’t freely set rental prices. Maximum rent is determined using the Housing Valuation System (WWS), which assesses a home's quality and sets a price limit.

How much can the rent increase?

From May 1, 2024, for liberalised rental homes, annual rent increases are capped at either inflation + 1% or collective labor agreement (CLA) wage growth + 1% — whichever is lower. This rule applies until May 1, 2029.

 

Obligations for landlords in The Hague

Fire safety

As a landlord, you must ensure the property meets fire safety standards, including:

• Smoke detectors on each floor
• Fire extinguishers or fire blankets
• Regular inspection of electrical installations
   

Tenant registration

Tenants must register at the address where they live, as required by the Personal Records Database Act (BRP). As a landlord, you should remind them to do this to keep all records up-to-date.

Consequences of breaking the rules

The municipality of The Hague strictly checks if landlords follow the law. Violating the Affordable Rent Act or Good Landlordship Act can result in fines of thousands of euros.

 

Rent out your home in The Hague smartly and stress-free with Kamer.nl

Renting out a home in The Hague can be a great investment — but it also comes with responsibilities. By staying informed and cooperating with the municipality, you avoid issues and secure steady rental income. Ready to rent out your property? List it for free on Kamer.nl and reach thousands of potential tenants instantly! 🎯