City of Amsterdam further eases Homestay regulations

Due to the significant housing shortage, the municipality of Amsterdam aims to revive the practice of Homestay rental. This will primarily be achieved by easing regulations and better informing residents about its benefits.

In the past, many Amsterdam residents lived with other fellow residents in a Homestay arrangement. With the current housing shortage in Amsterdam, the municipality aims to revive the 'hospita' and Homestay rentals. With Hospi Housing, we are supporting the municipality in this effort.

Restrictive Regulations

A public survey conducted by the Ministry of the Interior in early 2024 revealed that as many as 8% of Dutch people (which is a significant number) are considering renting out a room in their homes. The reasons vary, but often include extra (tax-free) income, the opportunity to help someone, and enjoyable social contact.

If so many people are willing and able to rent out a room, why hasn't the housing shortage been resolved? The answer lies in the complex regulations. Currently, in some neighborhoods of Amsterdam, a permit is required, and additionally it’s not always clear what the specific rules are for each district. Also, some people are deterred by the unclear impact on benefits, allowances, and legal protections.

How Amsterdam is Making Homestay Rentals Easier

By simplifying homestay rentals, the municipality of Amsterdam offers a solution to the room shortage while directly benefiting residents (the host; NL: 'hospita' or 'hospes'). Since regulations and conditions are currently hindering the potential of homestay rentals, Amsterdam plans to make the process easier in the coming period. This will include:

Abolishing the Permit Requirement for Homestay Rentals in Amsterdam

Soon, no permit will be required for homestay rentals. This means that as long as you meet the right conditions, you can easily rent out part of your home to another household. This also applies to residents of (social) rental housing. The specific conditions can be found at www.amsterdam.nl/hospitaverhuur. Until these rules come into effect, the city council has decided not to enforce the permit requirement for hospita rentals.

Providing Better Information About the Rules and Opportunities

To promote homestay rentals, the municipality will actively inform Amsterdammers. Professionals like the Buurtteams, who frequently interact with residents, will share information about the possibilities of homestay rentals. This way, they can better inform residents about the benefits and combinations with issues like income, debt assistance, and housing situations.

Allowing Homestay Rentals Sooner

Currently, a resident must live at an address for at least two years before they can rent out a room. The municipality of Amsterdam wants to shorten this period to one year for various forms of in-housing, including homestay rentals. This will enable more people to rent out a room sooner.

Supporting Organizations That Offer (Free) Personal Help and Support

It can sometimes be challenging to draft a good contract or understand all the implications for your personal situation. Therefore, Amsterdam supports organizations that guide and mediate homestay rentals between hosts and tenants. Examples include Onder de Pannen, Samen in 1 Huis, and Hospi Housing. These organizations work closely with the municipality and can help with finding a suitable match and handling the administrative processes.

Assistance with Renting Out a Room

Imagine you have an extra room in your house and are considering renting it out temporarily. Where do you start? Good news: you’re already in the right place. Hospi Housing can assist you from exploring the possibilities to finding a suitable tenant. The best part is: this service is free for the host!

Sign up now and schedule your introductory meeting. We will contact you personally and help you get started. See you soon!