Message from the Board of the Zwartewaterwiede Tenants' Association regarding the 2026 rent increase

 

Since the end of November 2025, we, as the HVZ board, have been involved by Wetland Wonen in the development of the various scenarios for the 2026 rent increase. We have been able to provide input, raise our concerns regarding affordability, and examine the consequences of, for example, requesting a 0.5% lower rent increase, etc. In doing so, we have observed that a housing corporation needs rental income to be able to invest. Therefore, Wetland Wonen also needs rental income to both make properties more sustainable and to build. Every euro less in income means Wetland Wonen can take out fewer loans, and consequently build fewer homes and make fewer homes more sustainable. 

In February, we received the proposed rent increase for 2026 from Wetland Wonen. As the board of the tenants' association, we advised Wetland Wonen positively regarding their policy on the annual rent increase. In the discussions and consultations we have held on this matter, we, as the board, as stated earlier, also raised our concerns regarding affordability. These concerns are shared by Wetland Wonen. Furthermore, we are realistic and take into account the various measures Wetland Wonen is implementing to ensure affordability. Some of these measures are: Tailored Rents or Rent Adjustment; the “free solar panels (where the roof is suitable)” project; a smaller rent increase for homes with an E, F, or G label that do not yet have solar panels; and an income-dependent rent increase of a maximum of €50.00.

In short, Wetland Wonen remains below the legally permitted maximum percentage with the rent increase. Furthermore, it applies a tailored approach within this rent increase to distribute the burden as evenly as possible among its tenants.

In all of this, it is important that Wetland Wonen can continue to invest in renovation, sustainability, and new construction. This has been our motivation, as the board, to issue a positive recommendation.