Rent subsidy (huurtoeslag) in the Netherlands 2024

1. What is the rent subsidy in the Netherlands?

The rent subsidy, also known as “huurtoeslag” in Dutch, is a financial aid provided by the government to help individuals pay their rent.

2.Who can apply for the rent subsidy in the Netherlands?

To apply for the rent subsidy, you must meet certain requirements. Typically, these include:

• Being at least 18 years old,
• Legally residing in the Netherlands,
• Not having too high an income,
• Having a rental contract for an independent dwelling in the Netherlands.

3.What does renting an independent dwelling in the Netherlands mean?

• An independent place has at least its own lockable front door, kitchen, and bathroom. However, you cannot receive rent subsidy for all independent dwellings.
• For example, you cannot receive a rent subsidy for a houseboat, even though it is an independent living space.
• Generally, you cannot get a rent subsidy for a vacation home.
• Starting March 1, 2024, you can only receive the housing subsidy if your home also has its own shower or bath.

4. What are the requirements to obtain the rent subsidy in the Netherlands?

The requirements for obtaining the rent subsidy vary based on your personal situation. Some factors considered include your income, household size, and the amount of your rent. It is important to review the specific requirements set by the competent authority, such as the Dutch Tax Administration (Belastingdienst).

Not everyone who rents can receive rent subsidy. To be eligible, your income must not be too high, and the rent must not be too high or too low.

• Your rent should not exceed €879.66 in 2024, and if you are under 23 years old, the rent should not exceed €454.47, unless you already have a child living with you, in which case the rent can be up to €879.66.
• The maximum assets allowed per resident as of January 1, 2024, is €36,952, and for partners, it is €73,904 together.

5.Who is a subsidy partner (toeslagpartner) in the Netherlands?

A subsidy partner is someone whose income and assets count for the subsidy application, and they will receive the subsidy together with you. Your subsidy partner can be your spouse, registered partner, or another person registered at your same address. You are not subsidy partners if you are divorced, in the process of divorce, or legally separated.

You can have only one subsidy partner in the following situations:

a) Spouse or registered partner:

If you have an officially registered spouse or partner, this person is your subsidy partner.

b) Someone registered at your address:

• • • They have formalized a cohabitation contract with a civil law notary.
    • They have a child in common, or one of you, or the person registered at your same address, has recognized a child of the other part.
    • You and the person registered at your address are partners if you share a pension plan.
    • You jointly own a house in the Netherlands and both live there.
    • You or the person registered at your address has a child under 18 years old, and this child is registered at your address.
    • Last year, you were already subsidy partners.

c) You live in a house with more people.
You can only have 1 subsidy partner, for example, if:

• • • You have a child in common, as described in situation 2 of the summary.
    • A house occupied by the owner and another person, as described in situation 4 of the summary.
    • The summary of situation 5 only applies if you live with another adult and at least one minor child.

6. From when does someone count as a subsidy partner?

You are each other’s subsidy partners from the 1st day of the month after your situation has changed.

7. What should you arrange if you no longer have a subsidy partner?

If you get divorced or separate, you generally will no longer be subsidy partners. What you need to arrange depends on whether you were married, had a registered partner, or were cohabiting.

8. How much can I receive for the rent subsidy in the Netherlands?

The amount of money you can receive through the rent subsidy depends on various factors, such as your income, household size, and the amount of your rent.

The subsidy is calculated based on a specific formula set by the government. The higher your income, the less rent subsidy you will receive. It is also possible that your income is too high to receive the rent subsidy.

Vacation pay and alimony are also considered income.

9. Do the incomes of other people registered in your household generally count for the rent subsidy in the Netherlands?

If you have a subsidy partner or housemates (medebewoners), their incomes also count for the subsidy calculation. The incomes of subtenants do not count.

10. I want to apply for the rent subsidy; does my total rent count?

To apply for, change, or calculate the rent subsidy, you need to know your basic rent and service costs. This information can be found in your rental contract or in the annual rent increase letter. This is the basic rent plus a series of service charges.

11. What is my basic rent?

The basic rent is the rent for your housing, excluding additional costs such as gas, water, and electricity. If you pay the total rent, ask the landlord to divide it into basic rent and additional costs.

12. Which service costs count for my rent subsidy?

You pay service costs to your landlord monthly. These costs are generally indicated in your rental contract or the annual rent increase letter.

Only the following four types of service costs count for the rent subsidy:

• Only the following 4 types of service costs count for the rent subsidy:
  Cleaning costs of common areas: These are the monthly cleaning costs for the elevator and other common areas, such as the gallery, staircase, or recreation room.
• Energy costs of common areas: These are the monthly electricity costs for the elevator system, lighting, ventilation, and alarm. This does not include the energy costs of your home.
• Caretaker costs: These are the monthly costs for services provided by the concierge, guardian, district manager, or caretaker.
• Costs of any services and recreation areas: These are the monthly costs for major repairs and maintenance of service and recreation areas. These costs generally occur in homes for the elderly or retirees. This does not include inventory, room cleaning, or garden maintenance.

Costs for any services and recreation areas. For each type of service charge, a maximum of €12 is added to the rent price, even if the amount you pay is higher.

13. My child lives at home and earns money. Will this affect the rent subsidy in the Netherlands?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It depends on how much your child earns and their age.

The income of a child living at home counts for the rent subsidy, including the income of a child of your subsidy partner or housemates. Therefore, for the housing subsidy, you declare your own annual income, as well as that of your child. The higher the combined income of all residents, the lower your rent benefit.

a) Exemption for children under 23:

• • If your child is under 23, their income up to €5,970 is exempt in 2024. This exemption also applies in the year your child turns 23.
  • If your child is over 23, all their income counts for the rent subsidy, and the exemption no longer applies.

b) Adopted child or stepchild:

• • If you have an adopted child under 23 and support this child significantly, the exemption also applies, but only if you do not receive a rent subsidy.
  • The same applies to stepchildren under 23.

c) Student funding does not count:

• • Student funding or study grants do not count as income for the rent subsidy.

14. For which dwellings can I receive a rent subsidy and for which not?

You can only receive rent subsidy for an independent living space, such as an apartment, studio, or townhouse. An independent dwelling has at least the following properties:

• • A private living/sleeping area,
  • A private kitchen with a sink, water supply, and drainage, and a connection point for a kitchen,
  • A private bathroom with a flush toilet,
  • A private entrance door that can be locked from inside and outside.
  • If you share the bathroom or kitchen with other tenants, it is not an independent house.

15. How can I apply for the rent subsidy in the Netherlands?

TAX-IN offers rent subsidy application services. We do not require access to your DigiD to complete the application as we are registered advisors; we simply need you to provide certain personal data to prepare your application. If you would like to receive a quote for these services, please contact us at info@tax-in.com

16. What is the duration of the rent subsidy in the Netherlands?

The duration of the rent subsidy can vary. Generally, it is granted for a specific period, after which you must renew your application and meet the updated requirements.

17. What happens if my circumstances change after receiving the rent subsidy in the Netherlands?

If your circumstances change after receiving the rent subsidy, it is important to inform the Dutch Tax Administration (Belastingdienst) as soon as possible. Changes in your income, rental contract, marital status, or household size can affect the amount of subsidy you receive. TAX-IN offers subsidy update services; you can contact us at info@tax-in.com.

18. Can I receive the rent subsidy if I share housing with another person in the Netherlands?

In some cases, it is possible to receive the rent subsidy if you share housing with another person. However, the requirements and rules may vary depending on your specific situation.

19. Does the rent subsidy cover all rental expenses in the Netherlands?

The rent subsidy does not always cover all rental expenses. The amount of subsidy you receive depends on various factors and may not cover the total rent cost. It is important to calculate and evaluate if the subsidy provides the necessary support.

20. If you have a subsidy partner or housemate for only part of the year, does it count for applying for the rent subsidy?

Then their income does not count.

21. I live in rooms; can I get a rent subsidy?

You can only receive a rent subsidy if you live in an independent house. This is usually not the case if you live in rooms.

22. When is your room an independent house?

Your room is an ‘independent living space’ if it has its own lockable front door and its own kitchen and bathroom. If you share the bathroom or kitchen with others, then it is not an independent house.

23. Does it matter to whom I rent?

No, it does not matter to whom you rent. For example, you can rent from a broker, housing association, or private landlord.

24. I have temporary accommodation; can I apply for a rent subsidy in the Netherlands?

You will not receive a housing subsidy for temporary accommodation, such as if you live in a homeless shelter.

25. Do you share a house with other students?

If you do not live in rooms but rent an independent house together, you can apply for the rent subsidy for the whole house together. The applicant will receive the rent subsidy.

26. I am getting divorced and moving out. Do I need to change my rent subsidy?

What you need to do depends on your situation:

a) You move to a rented house and the rent subsidy is in your name
Since the rent subsidy is in your name, you will continue to receive it. However, you must report the change because you may now receive a rent allowance that is too high or too low.
You must also inform the municipality (Gemeente).
As soon as the change has been processed, you will receive a new decision within 5 weeks. Then we will pay the new amount.

b) You move to a rented house and the rent subsidy is in your ex’s name
If the rent benefit is in your ex’s name and you move to another rental home, your ex will continue to receive the rent benefit for your former home. If you meet the conditions, you can apply for the rent subsidy for yourself.
You must also inform the municipality (Gemeente).

c) You move to an owner-occupied house and the rent subsidy is in your name
If you move to an owner-occupied house, you are no longer entitled to receive the rent benefit.
First notify the municipality (Gemeente) of your change of address. Additionally, the rent subsidy must be stopped.
All changes will be processed within 5 weeks.

d) You move to a house for sale and the rent is in your ex’s name
Inform the municipality (Gemeente) of your change of address. You don’t have to do anything else. If you move to an owner-occupied house, you are no longer entitled to receive the rent subsidy.

27. Is your spouse or registered partner not registered at the same address as you, are they your subsidy partner?

Then they are not your subsidy partner for the rent subsidy. This person is your subsidy partner for health insurance, childcare allowance, and the related child budget.

28. When is the rent subsidy paid in the Netherlands?

The rent subsidy is generally paid monthly to the bank account you provided when applying. The exact payment date may vary, but it is usually around the 20th of each month.

29. If you don’t have a Dutch bank account, can you receive the rent subsidy in a foreign bank account?

Yes, you can provide information for a Dutch or foreign bank account to receive the subsidy. If this is the first time you are receiving the subsidy, you will need to update it once, or if you change bank accounts, you must update it again.

• You can make the change online with your DigiD,
• If you have a Dutch bank account, or by mail if you have a foreign bank account or do not have a DigiD.

You can contact TAX-IN if you need information on how to update your bank account; you can email us at info@tax-in.com.

30. After applying for the subsidy, when will I receive a response?

Generally, the period can range from 5 weeks to a maximum of 13 weeks, after which it will be determined if you are eligible to receive the subsidy and the amount you will be granted.

31. Do I have to suspend my rent subsidy myself, or will the government cancel it?

That depends on the situation. Sometimes the subsidy stops automatically, and sometimes you have to take action yourself. Do this as soon as possible to avoid having to pay back at the end of the year. You must cancel the subsidy if:

• I have too much income (or my subsidy partner or housemate)
• I have too many assets (or my subsidy partner or housemate)
• I am moving
• The person receiving the rent subsidy has passed away.

Source: Toeslagen