Ministry of Internal Affairs plans to encourage homesharing

In a letter to the House of Representatives, Minister de Jonge presents his plans to promote, among other things, lodger rentals and house sharing.

In the Netherlands, we have been dealing with a serious housing shortage for several years. In addition to plans for large-scale housing construction and various projects such as 'adding a little street,' the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) is now also focusing on better utilizing the existing housing stock. This will be done, among other things, by creating more living space within and on existing buildings, promoting mobility, and making it easier to share a home.

On average, a Dutch person has 53m2 of living space. Compared to other European countries, this is relatively spacious. An estimated 3 million rooms in the Netherlands are vacant. By encouraging cohabitation in a home, we can make better use of existing space. Additionally, house sharing also offers opportunities to combat loneliness, allow people to live longer in their own neighborhoods, and strengthen the financial position of residents.

More space for the homestay rental hosts

In recent years, Hospi Housing has been advocating for the return of the landlady. Since 2019, we have been collaborating with municipalities, housing associations, and the ministry on this matter. In the current plans of the ministry, there is a strong focus on promoting homestay rental by removing barriers and stimulating the renting out of part of the dwelling.

To ensure that this is not a one-time stimulus, the ministry has developed an 'Approach to homestay rental.' For 2024, this approach consists of three main lines:

1. Expanding legislation

Currently, many mortgage providers do not allow homestay rental or only under certain conditions. Since its establishment in 2019, Hospi Housing has received many inquiries from potential hosts with owner-occupied homes about this issue. At the initiative of Hospi Housing, the ministry initiated discussions with mortgage providers in 2023. It was found that existing legislation was the biggest barrier.

To address the concerns of mortgage providers and landlords, the ministry is now working on legislative changes. By expanding legislation related to homestay rental, for example, it will become easier to terminate a lease agreement when selling the property. More clarity about these legislative changes will be provided throughout 2024.

2. Improved information provision

Homestay rental bring benefits for both tenants and landlords. It offers tenants a nice, safe, and relatively inexpensive place to live. For the hosts, it provides benefits in social, cultural, and financial aspects. However, due to the abundance of regulations in the Netherlands, it is sometimes unclear what is allowed or not.

To reduce the barrier for homestay rental, the central government aims to improve information provision. Information from various governmental institutions will be consolidated on government websites. Making the rules and benefits more transparent will make it easier for hosts and tenants to see what is possible in their situation.

3. Government Campaign

After improving information provision, the ministry will launch a nationwide campaign. The campaign targets groups for whom homestay rental can be interesting and beneficial.

Many people want to share a home but encounter barriers. Therefore, broader awareness of the possibilities and regulations surrounding homestay rental is necessary. This applies not only to potential hosts but also to municipalities and active landlords, including housing associations. Minister Hugo de Jonge calls on municipalities and housing associations to join this campaign and thus promote house sharing through homestay rental.

"The housing shortage can also be addressed by better utilizing existing buildings. We cannot afford to miss out on these opportunities. Moreover, better utilization offers many opportunities; to make existing homes more sustainable, to improve neighborhood livability, and to offer elderly residents opportunities for intra-neighborhood mobility," says Hugo de Jonge, Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations.

Transformations, Friends Contracts, and Rooftop Additions

In addition to encouraging homestay rental, the ministry is implementing a series of other measures to better utilize the existing housing stock. One of these measures is the transformation of buildings that previously did not have a residential function, such as offices. Minister de Jonge aims to increase the number of homes created annually through this method from 10,000 to 15,000 with new measures.

Another form of house sharing is through friends contracts. With a friends contract, it is possible to rent out one property to multiple individuals (for example, groups of friends or even two elderly individuals) under one contract.

Finally, the minister wants to create more living space by adding additional floors on flat roofs. Enthusiasm for this approach is increasing among municipalities, housing associations, and commercial parties. A 'rooftop addition approach' will be presented later this year in collaboration with Aedes, the province of South Holland, and the Bouwcampus.

Homestay rental per municipality

The central government, under the leadership of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK), takes a leading role in promoting homestay rental in the Netherlands. However, regulations regarding housing, room rental, and renting out a room in a house are largely regulated at the local level.

This means that despite nationally applicable rules, municipalities may have separate policies regarding homestay rental. Therefore, always check with your municipality what the local rules are. Hospi Housing can assist with this. In our blogs and frequently asked questions, you can find everything you need to know about renting out a room in your house, from regulations to experiences of other hosts.

With Hospi Housing, we strive every day to make homestay rental and house sharing possible and easier for more people. The commitment of the central government, municipalities, and housing associations is crucial in this regard. These measures represent a significant step forward.

Are you interested in renting out a room in your house? Or do you have questions and need guidance and advice? Sign up for free and schedule an intake with someone from the Hospi Housing team.