Housing Permits and Tenant Protection in The Hague

This guide is for internationals renting, or planning to rent, a home in The Hague who want to understand the local rules before signing a contract. After reading it you will know whether you need an affordable housing permit, how to apply for one, what the Good Landlordship rules protect you from, and how to report a landlord to the municipality.

• When you need an affordable housing permit
• Conditions: age, residence status, space and income
• How to apply: documents, fee and timeline
• Good Landlordship rules on deposits and treatment of tenants
• How to report a landlord to the municipality
• FAQ

When you need an affordable housing permit

An affordable housing permit (huisvestingsvergunning) is the municipality’s approval that you may live in rented social housing or a mid-market rental property. According to the Municipality of The Hague’s permit page, it exists so that these homes go only to people with a low or middle income.

The municipality defines the two categories as follows:

• Rented social housing: a maximum rent of € 932.93.
• Mid-market rental: a maximum of 186 points or a rent ceiling of € 1,228.07.

A points system sets the rental value of a property. Larger or very energy-efficient homes get more points, and more points mean a higher permitted rent. You need a permit for a self-contained (independent) home with 186 points or less, whatever the rent. You also need one for a self-contained home with a rent up to € 1,228.07, even if it has more than 186 points.

You do not need a permit if you:

• were already renting your home before 1 July 2019
• are renting a room (shared accommodation, not an independent living space)
• are renting with other people and you do not form a long-term communal household together

If you rent from a housing association (woningcorporatie), the association will usually arrange the permit and you do not need to do anything yourself. If you rent without a permit when one is required, you can be fined € 410.

Conditions: age, residence status, space and income

The conditions depend on the rent. Some apply in both categories: you must be 18 or older, and you must hold Dutch nationality, a valid passport from the EU, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland, or a valid residence permit. The home must also have at least 12 square metres of usable area per person.

Rent up to € 932.93 per month

• Living alone: taxable annual income of no more than € 51,537.
• Household of 2 or more people: taxable annual income of no more than € 56,910.
• For a property with more than 80 square metres of living space, at least 3 people must be moving in.

Rent between € 932.93 and € 1,228.07, or 186 points or less with a rent above € 932.93

• Living alone: taxable annual income of no more than € 70,149.
• Household of 2 or more people: taxable annual income of no more than € 93,531.

A note on ties to the region: the municipality’s English permit page does not list any condition about economic or social ties to The Hague or the wider region. If you have heard that such a tie is required, do not assume it either way. The page links to the Huisvestingsverordening Den Haag 2023 (the local housing bylaw), and the municipality decides individual situations case by case. Call the number on the permit page if this affects you.

How to apply: documents, fee and timeline

You may submit only one application per address. Every application must include:

1. An owner’s declaration (eigenaarsverklaring) confirming the property is rented out in line with the rules for purchase protection. An English version of the form is available on the permit page.
2. A copy of the rental contract signed by you and the landlord, or written permission from the owner or landlord that you may live in the property.
3. An income statement for you and any other household members, such as a salary slip, an employer’s statement, or a monthly benefits or pension statement. It may not be older than 3 months. Bank statements showing your salary are not enough. If you changed employers, also include the last slip or statement from your previous employer.

Some situations need extra documents:

• Without Dutch citizenship: include a valid residence permit. EU citizens who are not registered as Dutch residents include a copy of their identity document.
• Coming from abroad to work: include a copy of a working arrangement or a proof-of-employment statement that shows your income.
• Self-employed: a statement from your bookkeeper or accountant showing your taxable annual income and the financial statement for the current year, plus a KVK extract. If you started your company in the last 3 months, the extract alone is enough.
• Student with no income from work or benefits: a copy of your full-time student registration.
• Divorced with children under 18, for a rent of no more than € 932.93: a legally valid document on custody or guardianship that also states where the children currently live.
• Someone else applying for you: a completed authorisation form (in Dutch).

You can apply online and pay with iDEAL, or email the completed PDF form to wonen@denhaag.nl. The fee is € 56.75, and the municipality only processes your application once it has been paid. If you pay by bank transfer, use IBAN NL17 BNGH 0285 1096 26, payable to Gemeente Den Haag, Financiële administratie, with ‘FA417/HVV’ and the address of the property in the message line. From abroad, add the BIC BNGHNL2G.

If your application is complete, you will hear within 2 weeks, and the municipality decides within 8 weeks. If something is missing, the municipality will contact you. Applying for a permit does not register you as a resident, so you need to register separately. If your income or family situation changes while you are renting, you do not need a new permit.

Good Landlordship rules on deposits and treatment of tenants

The Good Landlordship Act (Wet goed verhuurderschap) came into force on 1 July 2023. According to The Hague International Centre, it applies to private landlords, rental agencies, employers housing migrant workers, and housing associations. The main rules are:

• No discrimination when selecting tenants.
• No intimidation or harassment of tenants.
• A deposit of no more than two months’ basic rent.
• A written rental agreement.
• Clear information on your rights and duties, the deposit amount and refund date, the landlord’s contact details, the municipal complaints hotline, and a full breakdown of service charges.
• Service charges that comply with legal standards.
• No mediation fees charged to tenants by rental agencies.

For rental contracts signed on or after 1 January 2025, landlords must also give you a written points calculation with the rental agreement. This is useful when you apply for a permit or ask for a rent check. If you think your rent is too high, the International Centre says you can ask the Rent Tribunal (Huurcommissie) for a rent check within six months of the start of your contract.

How to report a landlord to the municipality

The municipality’s page on reporting abuses by landlords says you can file a complaint if you are looking for a private rental, renting from a private landlord or rental agency, or are a migrant worker housed through an employment agency under a worker-tenant agreement. If you rent from a housing association, complain to the association instead.

You can report a landlord who discriminates against you, threatens you, asks for a deposit of more than 2 times the basic rent, does not give you a written rental agreement, or does not give you the required information. You can also report a rental agency that charges you mediation fees. Since 1 January 2025 you can also report paying too much rent.

Your report should include your contact details, the landlord’s or agency’s contact details, the property address, a short and clear description of the problem, and supporting evidence such as photos, audio recordings, messages or the rental contract. You may also report anonymously. Servicepunt XL can help residents fill in the form, and there are consultation hours for EU migrant workers.

You will receive a copy of your complaint. The municipality cannot check or resolve every complaint, but it always deals with serious situations. If your complaint is correct, it can require the landlord to follow the rules or fine them. How long this takes depends on the case, and the municipality decides how to handle each situation.

FAQ

Do I need an affordable housing permit to rent a room?

No. The municipality says you do not need a permit if you rent a room in shared accommodation that is not an independent living space. You also do not need one if you share a home with other people but do not form a long-term communal household together.

What happens if my income goes up after I get the permit?

Nothing changes for your permit. If your income or family situation changes while you are renting, you do not need to apply for a new affordable housing permit.

How much deposit can a landlord in The Hague ask for?

Under the Good Landlordship Act, the deposit may not be more than two months’ basic rent. If a landlord asks for more, you can report it to the municipality, which can require the landlord to follow the rules or fine them.

Can I report my landlord without giving my name?

Yes. The municipality accepts anonymous complaints, and you then do not need to give your name or contact details. Clear and complete evidence helps the municipality assess the case. If you rent from a housing association, send your complaint to the association instead.

Official sources: denhaag.nl · denhaag.nl · thehagueinternationalcentre.nl

Last verified: 26 October 2026 against the official pages linked above. Rules and fees change; the official page always wins. General information, not legal or tax advice.