Affordable housing permit

Are you going to rent a property? Then you sometimes need an affordable housing permit. Apply for this on time at the municipality.

Are you going to rent the property from a housing association (woningcorporatie)? Then the housing association will usually arrange the affordable housing permit. You do not need to do anything yourself.

What is it?

An affordable housing permit (huisvestingsvergunning) is a permit which allows you to live in an inexpensive rental property. The municipality makes sure that these homes are rented out to people who earn a lower income. 

The permit is needed:

• for a self-contained (independent) living space which has 185 points or less. The rental price does not matter. Look for more information on the website of the Dutch government.
• for a self-contained (independent) living space with a rent of € 1,116.85 or less. Even if the apartment has more than 185 points.

Do I need a permit?

See if you need a permit and if you are eligible for the rental property based on your income.

Conditions

Rents of up to € 808.06 per month:

• You are 18 years or older.
• You have Dutch citizenship (nationality) or a valid residence permit. This could be: a valid passport from the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or a valid residence permit for the Netherlands.
• The rental property has at least 12 square metres of usable area per person.
• At least 3 people must be coming to live in a residential property with more than 80 square metres of living space.
• You will be living alone: your taxable annual income is less than € 44.035.
• Your household consists of 2 or more people: the taxable annual income is less than € 48.625.

Rents of between € 808.06 and € 1,116.85 per month. Or rental properties which have 185 points or less with a rent above € 808.06:

• You are 18 years or older.
• You have Dutch citizenship (nationality) or a valid residence permit. This could be: a valid passport from the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or a valid residence permit for the Netherlands.
• The rental property has at least 12 square metres of usable area per person.
• If you will be living alone: your taxable annual income is less than € 57,573.
• If your household consists of 2 or more people: the taxable annual income is less than € 76,764.

Needed for the application

When you apply for an affordable housing permit, you will need a number of documents. The documents you need depend on your personal situation:

• A recent proof of income for yourself and (if applicable) the other members of your household. For example, a salary slip, a statement from your employer, or the monthly statement of your benefits or pension. This document may not be older than 3 months. (Attention: Bank statements of your salary and benefits are not acceptable). If you have changed employers within the year, you must also include the last salary slip or statement of your benefits from your previous employer.
• A valid form of identification.
• A copy of the rental contract, signed by the tenant and the landlord. Or written permission from the owner/landlord (eigenaarsverklaring) that you are allowed to live in the rental property.
• A declaration by the owner that the property will not be rented out in breach of the purchase protection rule. See the owner's declaration form (eigenaarsverklaring) below.

Is the rental contract in somebody else's name? Provide an explanation why the contract is not in your name. Add your explanation to the landlord's written permission in the application.

• You a self-employed entrepreneur

  Proof of income in your situation is a statement from your bookkeeper or accountant. The statement must contain:

  1. your taxable annual income
  2. the financial statement for the current year

  You also need to submit an extract from the Chamber of Commerce (KvK) about your business. Did you start up a company in the last 3 months? Then you only need to submit an extract.

• You are a student

  Are you a student? And you have no earnings from work or benefits? Send a copy of your registration as a full-time student.

• You do not have Dutch citizenship

  Include a valid residence permit in your application. For more information visit the website of the Dutch government.

  Are you a citizen of a European Union (EU) country and are you going to work in the Netherlands? Then you need a copy of a working arrangement or a proof-of-employment statement indicating your income.

• You are divorced

  Are you divorced and do you have children under the age of 18? And is the rent € 808.06 or less per month? You need a legally valid document describing how the custody or guardianship of the children has been arranged. This document must also state the children's current place of residence.

Apply

Apply for the permit at the municipality.

Online with DigiD

• log in using DigiD
• complete the Aanvraag huisvestingsvergunning form (in Dutch)
• upload the attachments
• opt to pay using iDEAL

Apply for the permit (in Dutch)

Online without DigiD

• Download the Affordable housing permit application (PDF) below.
• Complete this form and send it by email to wonen@denhaag.nl.

• The municipality will process your application only once you have transferred the application fee of € 51.45. You can transfer the application fee to:

  • IBAN number: NL17 BNGH 0285 1096 26
  • payable to: Gemeente Den Haag, Financiële administratie
  • include in the message line of the bank transfer: 'FA417/HVV' plus the address of the property you are going to rent
  • Are you paying from abroad? Include the BIC (SWIFT code) in your transfer: BNGHNL2G (Bank Nederlandse Gemeenten).
• Include a proof of payment in your application. For example a copy of a bank statement.

Fees

€ 51.45

How long does it take?

If your application is complete, you will get the permit within 2 weeks. Is your application incomplete? The municipality will contact you. The municipality will then make a decision on your request within 8 weeks.

Good to know

• Did your family situation or income change while you are renting? You do not need to apply for a new affordable housing permit.
• Are you renting a property without an affordable housing permit although it is required? You can get a fine of € 410 for this.
• You will not be automatically registered in the municipality if you apply for an affordable housing permit. You can register via the page Moving and immigration.
• Are you renting a room (shared accommodation/dependent living space)? Or will you be renting a property with several people but you do not constitute a long-term joint household together (duurzaam gemeenschappelijk huishouden)? Then you do not need an affordable housing permit.

Attention: The municipality has conditions for renting out a room.

More information

Do you have questions? Call tel. (070) 353 40 37. This number is available from 9.00 to 10.00 hrs. from Monday to Friday.

Also see:

• Rented housing (website of the Dutch government)

• Rental advice from the Fair Rent Team

• Rent out a property

• Rent out a room

• Huisvestigingsverordening 2023 Gemeente Den Haag