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Liberal Rental Contracts vs. Points System in Amsterdam

Difference between regulated social housing and liberal private-sector contracts in Amsterdam. When does the points system not apply, and what are the advantages and disadvantages for Amsterdam residents?

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In Amsterdam, liberal rental contracts fall outside the points system and apply to private-sector housing with rents above €808.06 (2024). No mandatory points assessment is required, allowing for free price negotiation. Advantages for landlords: higher rents due to Amsterdam’s market pressure and a shorter notice period of 2 months. Tenants often benefit from better housing quality in popular neighborhoods such as De Pijp or Oud-Zuid. Transition to liberal: when a property exceeds 145 points or the rent surpasses €752, it becomes socially liberal—verify this through housing corporations like Ymere or De Key. Rights in Amsterdam: 2-month notice period, no regulation, and recourse only in cases of misrepresentation. Comparison with social housing: more protection but a lower ceiling due to extreme housing shortages. Local trends: liberalization is surging due to a shortage of over 40,000 homes; much new construction in Oost and Noord is immediately classified as liberal. Tip: negotiate strictly on indexation clauses given rising Amsterdam rents. Legal reference: Article 7:251 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW). Housing allowance is rare, except for low-income households in surrounding municipalities. This segment offers flexibility in Amsterdam’s chaotic rental market but beware of risks such as exploitative rents in the city center.