The Dutch Rent Tribunal (Huurcommissie) is experiencing a surge in activity, with a significant increase in tenants seeking assistance. This rise is attributed to a growing awareness of tenant rights and an increase in disputes with landlords.

Online rent price checks have doubled in the past year, and the number of complaints regarding poorly maintained homes has reached a record high. This indicates a growing trend of tenants actively challenging unfair rental practices and demanding better living conditions.

The Rent Tribunal launched an English-language version of its rent check tool last summer. The tool was completed over 13,300 times in the first four months of this year, compared to just 3,313 in all of 2024. English search terms like ‘rent,’ ‘rent check,’ and ‘rent increase’ have also soared.

Many international tenants are particularly vulnerable to exploitation by landlords. Common issues include illegally high rents, extra fees, the use of short-stay contracts, and overcharging for shared housing.

In 2024, the point system, which determines a property’s rent value and whether it is rent-controlled, was the subject of 2,500 rent tribunal cases. In 1,600 of these cases, tenants were found to have been overcharged, with an average rent reduction of €400. The largest rent cut ordered by the tribunal was €3,100 per month.

The Rent Tribunal handled over 18,500 formal cases in 2024. In addition, more than 5,800 tenants filed complaints about maintenance problems such as mold, leaks, and drafts, marking the highest number to date.

Tribunal chairman Pieter Heerma announced that the agency will continue strengthening cooperation with councils, the courts, and organizations representing both tenants and landlords. He emphasized the importance of collecting signals and exchanging knowledge to better address tenant concerns.

The tribunal’s authority is limited to rent-controlled properties with an official rent below €1,180 or 186 points.