The Hague gives moving incentive

The Hague has become the first Dutch city to launch comprehensive incentives to give the local housing market a boost. Several market parties have joined forces to launch the ‘Haagse Verhuisdoos’ (Hague Moving Box) campaign from 18 January to 1 July.

The Municipality of The Hague, the housing corporations Vestia, Staedion and Haag Wonen, Rabobank in The Hague, NVM Haaglanden and Stichting Promotie Wonen Den Haag are all working together to make it more attractive to move within The Hague. Together they presented an incentives package consisting of a number of ‘advantages to moving’.

The measures are aimed at two main target groups: social housing tenants and first-time homebuyers. Incentives include a € 10,000 grant to buy certain newly-built properties and a € 5,000 bonus for social housing tenants to buy a property or rent a home on the commercial market. First-time homebuyers can get a four-month interest payment holiday and a discount on the estate agent’s commission.

Certain conditions apply. For example, only households earning a minimum of € 43,000 (gross) a year qualify for the moving bonus and the rent-controlled home they leave behind must be at least 80 square metres and have at least five rooms.

The municipality has set aside € 3 million to help social housing tenants get a foot on the property ladder. It hopes the scheme will encourage more people to buy a house, freeing up much-needed rent-controlled properties for new families.

Interested residents can go to the giant inflatable ‘Haagse Verhuisdoos’ in the Atrium of The Hague City Hall for more information or visit www.wonenindenhaag.nl.