4 Reasons why Homestay Rental will Increase in Popularity in 2024 and beyond
More and more municipalities allow homestay rental without a permit and the Dutch Government is actively promoting the concept. Hospi Housing expects the popularity of Homestay Rental will only further increase in 2025 and the years beyond. In this blog you will read why.
More and more municipalities are allowing host rentals without a permit and the national government is actively campaigning to promote homestay rental. Hospi Housing expects the rise of homestay rentals to continue to grow in the coming years. In this blog, you’ll find out why.
1. Room shortage will continue to rise
The shortage of student housing is expected to ease eventually, but it will continue to grow for now. It’s anticipated that the shortage of student rooms will reach between 25,300 and 42,400 by the 2031/2032 academic year. This is according to the 2024 National Student Housing Monitor, published in September 2024 by Kences, the student housing knowledge center. Even with new construction plans, this shortage will not be resolved solely by building more rooms. This is why Minister Keijzer emphasized during the launch of this monitor the importance of utilizing existing housing stock and called for a sustained commitment from all parties involved.
2. Interest from hosts in homestay rental is increasing
A study by the Ministry of the Interior from early 2024 shows that 8% of Dutch people are willing to rent out a room in their home, with 2% saying they are “definitely” interested in starting with host rentals. This represents about 166,000 people. When considering only those who actually have an available space, this percentage increases to 13%. Nearly half (49%) of Dutch homeowners have at least one room of at least 12 square meters available for rent, and 2 in 5 homeowners are considering renting it out (Univé, 2024). Research from ING also shows a significant rise in willingness to rent out a room or floor in one’s own home. This could make 100,000 rooms available.
3. Majority does not know if renting out a room is permitted
Of the group of Dutch people open to renting out a room at home, only 16% know whether they are actually allowed to do so. The issue partly lies with restrictive rules from housing corporations, municipalities, mortgage lenders, and insurers, preventing 31% from renting out a room. However, the biggest challenge is the 54% who are unsure if they are allowed to rent out a room. This highlights the importance of clear information, and well-designed campaigns could significantly improve this situation.
4. Dutch Government is expanding homestay rental opportunities
In recent years, homestay rentals have gained considerable popularity. As part of the strategy to make better use of existing housing stock, homestay rentals are a key priority in the government’s housing strategy until 2030. The potential for homestay rentals is significant, but it is not yet being fully utilized. For these reasons, the national government has launched several actions to expand homestay rental opportunities. For instance, in the summer of 2024, the campaign “Your Home, Highly Valued” began, targeting not only potential hosts but also municipalities and housing corporations. The campaign is supported by Aedes, VNG, and the Woonbond. Additionally, the national government is making host rentals more attractive by:
- Introducing temporary rental contracts for host rentals.
- Adjusting the income-based rent increase.
- Removing barriers with mortgage lenders so they can allow host rentals.
A Positive Outlook
The commitment of the national government underscores the importance of homestay rental in addressing the housing shortage for the coming years. These efforts, campaigns, and regulatory relaxations will make homestay rentals accessible to more people. This is great news for both tenants and landlords. Hospi Housing will continue to advocate for fewer restrictions and better information in the coming years. We’ll keep you updated and remain personally engaged.
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