My rent has become too high; can I keep receiving my housing allowance?
Has a rent increase pushed your rent above the maximum limit for housing allowance? If you were already receiving a housing allowance for that property, you retain your entitlement—a concept known as an "acquired right" (*verworven recht*). You must, however, still meet all other eligibility requirements for the housing allowance. Please note that you will not receive any allowance for the portion of the rent that exceeds the maximum limit.

IMPORTANT:
Did you lose your housing allowance in the past, even though you held an "acquired right"? This may have been incorrect. If so, please contact the Tax Information Line (*Belasting Telefoon*); they will be able to assist you.

You can lose your "acquired right."
For example, if your assets or your (combined) household income become too high, you may no longer be eligible for a housing allowance. You would only become eligible again if your rent falls back below the maximum limit and you meet all the other requirements for the housing allowance.

When does my housing allowance begin?
The housing allowance takes effect on the 1st of the month. If you are not yet registered at your address on the 1st day of the month, the allowance will not begin until the following month.

Reporting changes
If you receive a housing allowance and your circumstances change—for instance, if your income changes or the composition of your household shifts—this will affect your allowance. You are required to notify the Tax and Customs Administration (*Belastingdienst*) of any such changes within 4 weeks. Below are a few examples.
Your assets for the rent benefit
In 2026, you may have assets of up to €38,479 to qualify for the rent benefit. Do you have a benefit partner? Together with your benefit partner, you may have assets of €76,958. A co-resident may not have assets exceeding €38,479.

 

Do you have a child aged 18 or older living at home? This child counts as a co-resident and may therefore have assets of up to €38,479.

However, do you have a child under the age of 18 living at home? Then this child's assets are included in your total assets.

 

Examples regarding co-residents
- Your assets on 1 January 2026 amount to €35,000. On that date, your benefit partner has €20,000 in their bank account. In this case, you can receive the rent benefit because your combined assets do not exceed €76,958.

- Your assets on 1 January 2026 amount to €10,000. On that date, a co-resident has €50,000 in their bank account. In this case, you are not entitled to the rent benefit because your co-resident's assets are too high.

 

Do children's assets count?

Do you have a child aged 18 or older living at home? This child counts as a co-resident.

Is your child under the age of 18? Then this child's assets are included in your

total assets.

Do you and the other parent no longer live together? In that case, usually only half of your

minor child's assets are counted.

 

Examples involving children living at home

Your assets on 1 January 2026 amount to €30,000. Your 18-year-old child living at home has €9,000 in their bank account on that date. You are entitled to rent benefit because neither your assets nor your child's assets exceed €38,479.

Your assets on 1 January 2026 amount to €30,000. Your 17-year-old child living at home has €9,000 in their bank account on that date. You are not entitled to rent benefit because the combined total of your assets and your child's assets exceeds €38,479.

Your assets on 1 January 2026 amount to €10,000. Your 27-year-old child living at home has €40,000 in their bank account on that date. You are not entitled to rent benefit because your child's assets exceed €38,479.

 

 

Do you have a benefit partner or co-resident for only part of the year?

In that case, their assets are not counted.

Example
On 1 January 2026, you had assets of €30,000. In March, someone moved in with you and became your benefit partner. This person has €50,000 in their savings account. Because you did not have a benefit partner for the entire year (not in January or February), you do not need to include your benefit partner's assets for 2026. We calculate your allowance based solely on your own assets. Starting January 1, 2026, the assets of your allowance partner will also be taken into account.

 

Too many assets?

If you have too many assets on January 1, you are not entitled to an allowance for the entire year—even if your assets fall below the maximum threshold later in the year. You will only be eligible for a rent allowance again starting next year. Are you currently receiving a rent allowance? If so, please contact the Tax and Customs Administration (Belastingdienst) as soon as possible.

 

Tip

Will your assets decrease after January 1? Report your new asset total to the Tax and Customs Administration via 'Mijn toeslagen' (My Allowances). If you are eligible, you will then automatically receive a rent allowance next year.

Will your assets increase after January 1?

In that case, you remain entitled to your rent allowance for the rest of the year, and no action is required on your part. However, your assets will be taken into account again when determining your rent allowance for next year.

Report your new asset total to the Tax and Customs Administration via 'Mijn toeslagen'. This ensures that your rent allowance is automatically stopped next year if you are no longer eligible, helping you avoid having to pay back any allowance later on.

 

Every tenant’s situation is different
Are you under 18? Do you receive an AOW (state old-age) pension? Are you not a Dutch national? Does someone with a disability live in your household? Or are you in a unique situation?

If you have any questions, you can always call the Tax and Customs Administration (Belastingdienst).

Tax Information Line: 0800-0543 (toll-free)
Call this number for questions about taxes and benefits, or to schedule an appointment.

Calling from abroad?

Please call: +31 555 385 385.

Always have your citizen service number (BSN) at hand.

Do not call the Tax Information Line via expensive 0900-prefix numbers.

You can also find information on the websites listed below.

 

Sources:
www.belastingdienst.nl
www.toeslagen.nl
www.rijksoverheid.nl