New analysis of listings on Kamernet, the Netherlands’ largest private student‐housing platform, shows that most rooms are marketed at rents exceeding the legal maximum for regulated units. With a cap set at approximately €400 per month for small rooms under the Rent Act, observers warn that prospective tenants face inflated asking prices that breach national housing rules.
Widespread non-compliance uncovered
Researchers examined over 5,000 student room advertisements and discovered:
- 65% of listings advertised rents above the legal threshold of €400.
- Average asking price for a single room topped €550 per month, not including utilities.
- Properties in university cities such as Utrecht and Groningen saw the steepest premiums, with some rooms listed near €700.
These figures suggest that a significant share of landlords either disregard rent regulations or classify rooms as “liberalised” despite their modest size and limited amenities.
Platforms, students and policymakers respond
Kamernet maintains that it merely connects landlords with tenants, arguing it cannot vet every listing for legal compliance. “We advise tenants to check local rent-point scores and consult the Huurcommissie if they suspect overcharging,” a spokesperson said.
Students, however, report little choice in a tight market. “You either pay more or lose out entirely,” said a first‐year international student in Amsterdam. Several tenant unions have begun organising rent checks and encouraging complaints to the national Rent Tribunal.
On the political front, the Ministry of the Interior has pledged to tighten enforcement, while municipalities are exploring higher fines for landlords who flout the Rent Act. A proposed amendment in the Lower House would grant local authorities greater powers to remove non-compliant listings from online platforms.
As the new academic year approaches, pressure is mounting on both private landlords and the platforms that list their properties to honour the country’s rent protection measures—or face steeper penalties and increasing scrutiny.