Looking for a social rental home? Here's what you need to know!

Whether you're a first-time renter or looking for something new, it can sometimes be quite challenging to find the right place. Social rental homes provide a great and affordable solution for many people, especially if you're looking for a home with lower rent.

Although we don’t offer social rental homes ourselves, we’d love to share everything you need to know about this topic. In this blog, we explain exactly what social rental homes are, how to qualify for them, and what to look out for during your search. Whether you're just starting your search or already a bit further along, we hope this information will help guide you. And if you're looking for other housing options or more information about what we offer at Stekkies, you can sign up here or send us a message.

What is Social Rental Housing Exactly?

Social rental housing is housing available to people with a lower income. The rent for a social rental home is capped, and these homes are often managed by housing corporations. They are designed to keep rent affordable for people who cannot afford to rent in the private sector. Social rental homes are an important solution for people who struggle to find affordable homes in the private rental market.

Types of Rental Housing

In the Netherlands, there are three main types of rental housing:

1. Social Rental Housing: These are homes with a base rent that falls below a certain limit, usually €879.66 per month (as of 2024). These homes are intended for people with a lower income and are often allocated based on registration time and other criteria.
2. Mid-rent Housing: The rent for these homes ranges between €879.66 and €1,157.96 per month. This type of housing is intended for people with a middle income.
3. Private Sector Housing: These homes have a rent above €1,157.96 per month. These homes fall outside the social rental sector and are often more expensive, with fewer regulations regarding rent price and income limits.

Signing Up for a Social Rental Home

To qualify for a social rental home, you need to register with a housing corporation. In some cities, like Amsterdam, DAK Regio Amsterdam handles the allocation of social rental homes. Registration is often done online through the housing corporations' websites. It’s important to register as soon as possible, as waiting times for social rental homes can be very long.

Waiting Times and Allocation

The waiting time for a social rental home can vary significantly, depending on the city and demand. In Amsterdam, the average waiting time for a social rental home is more than 13 years. This is due to the high demand for affordable housing and the limited supply. The allocation of homes usually happens based on your registration time, but other criteria, such as income, family situation, and specific needs, may also be considered. So, it’s important to register early and be patient.

Rent Subsidy

If you rent a social rental home, you may be eligible for rent subsidy. This is a contribution from the government to help keep the rent affordable, depending on your income and the rent price. The eligibility for rent subsidy depends on various factors, such as your income, the rent price, and your living situation. It’s a good idea to calculate your right to rent subsidy via the Tax Authority.

Key Takeaways

Although Stekkies doesn’t offer social rental homes (sociale huurwoningen), we’re happy to provide you with useful information about the process and options for renting a social rental home. Here are a few key points to keep in mind:

• Registering with housing corporations (inschrijven bij woningcorporaties) is essential to qualify for a social rental home.
• Waiting times (wachttijden) can be long, so it's a good idea to register as early as possible.
• Rent subsidy (huurtoeslag) can help make rent more affordable, depending on your income and the rent price.

We hope this information helps guide you in your search for a suitable home. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about other housing options, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re happy to assist!