Dutch social housing rents are set to increase by a maximum legal limit of 5% after Housing Minister Mona Keijzer abandoned plans to freeze them for two years. This decision follows the recent collapse of the right-wing government and concerns raised by the Council of State.

Keijzer announced her decision to Members of Parliament, stating that she would not submit the legislation in order to restore stability to the social housing market.

Housing corporations were already anticipating rent increases in July, despite the proposed legislation, due to doubts about securing majority support in the Senate.

Tenants’ campaign group Woonbond expressed disappointment with the decision, which will affect approximately two million households with social housing rents below €900 per month.

Woonbond director Zeno Winkels criticized the move, stating that tenants are the victims of political maneuvering, facing substantial rent increases instead of a freeze.