New research by the Dutch rental housing platform Pararius has revealed that in the second quarter of 2024, the average price for rentals in the unregulated housing sector in the Netherlands increased by 9,9 percent compared to a year ago. The number of rental properties available also decreased by almost a third, making it harder to find a rental home.

Fewer rental properties to choose from in the Netherlands

In the second quarter of this year, just 14.673 homes became available to rent via Pararius. This is 32,8 percent lower compared to the same period last year. 21,054 properties were also taken off the market during the same period, which means there were nearly 7.000 fewer rental properties available for prospective tenants.  

As predicted, more rental houses were sold in the lead-up to the Affordable Rent Act which came into effect on July 1 this year, making it less attractive for landlords to rent out homes. This led to an increase in the number of properties for sale from the rental market from 7 percent in the first quarter to 7,8 percent in the second. 

Prices for rental housing in the Netherlands increased 

The average price per square metre for Dutch rental properties rose from 17,10 euros in the second quarter of 2023 to 18,79 euros during the same period in 2024. This 9,9 percent increase in prices for new rental contracts is fuelled by the dwindling supply and high demand for rental homes.

Tenants in The Hague and Rotterdam saw the largest rental price increases of 8,1 and 8 percent respectively, while those in Amsterdam saw a 3,8 percent increase. Rental prices in Utrecht rose by 2,1 percent while those in Eindhoven decreased by 1,7 percent.