Private landlords are renting out fewer properties in the city: "A problem for students"
Private rental properties in Amsterdam have decreased by 18 percent in three years as landlords sell their units due to new rent control laws and increased taxation. While this shift favors buyers, it creates a significant housing crisis for students and individuals who cannot afford to purchase property in the city.
Private landlords in Amsterdam have reduced their rental housing stock by 18 percent over the past three years, dropping from 63,375 units in 2023 to 53,510. This decline is largely attributed to the introduction of the Affordable Rent Act, alongside increased taxes on second homes, rising interest rates, and a ban on temporary rental contracts, all of which have made renting out properties less profitable for private owners. While many of these houses are now being sold to individuals, experts warn this trend significantly hurts students and low-to-middle income earners who cannot afford to buy property and rely on the private rental market for housing. Although public housing associations have increased their stock, keeping the total number of rental units relatively stable, the reduction of smaller, flexible private apartments creates a severe shortage for newcomers. Municipal officials maintain that the new regulations are vital for tenant protection and housing affordability, though they acknowledge the challenges this shift creates for those dependent on rental options.
Based on reporting by rss. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
