Rent Determination in Temporary Rental Contracts in Amsterdam
In Amsterdam, short-term rentals are also subject to the strict rent restriction under Article 7:249 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW). Due to the enormous demand for housing in the city, such as in popular neighborhoods like De Pijp, Jordaan and Oost, landlords often try to charge higher prices. The maximum rent is determined via the housing valuation system (WWS), based on points for surface area, facilities, energy performance and location. Landlords in Amsterdam may not apply excessive amounts above this maximum, despite the high market pressure.
Indexation and Adjustment in the Capital
The annual rent increase is limited to the inflation rate plus 1% (Article 7:247 BW). For short-term contracts in Amsterdam, every adjustment must be notified in writing and in a timely manner, preferably well before the term ends. Tenants can file an objection with the Rent Tribunal if the price exceeds the WWS maximum. The municipality of Amsterdam offers additional support via the Affordable Rent Desk for quick advice.
Practical Tips for Amsterdam Tenants
Use the rent price check on huurcommissie.nl or the Amsterdam Rent Check tool to test your rent price against local standards. In case of exceedance, you can demand a rent reduction with retroactive effect up to two years. For temporary rentals in Amsterdam, no liberalization criterion applies, so always WWS control, even for expat or Airbnb-like arrangements. Recent rulings by the Supreme Court and local judgments by the district court emphasize that creeping price increases via repeated short-term contracts are illegal, especially in the strictly controlled Amsterdam market.
Note: the municipality of Amsterdam actively monitors illegal rentals and can impose fines up to €21,750 per violation.