What is a liberalised-sector rental home?

A liberalised-sector rental home is one where the rent sits above the liberalisation threshold (€1,157/mo in 2026). There is no maximum rent and no income limit. The landlord sets the rent freely.

What is the difference between social housing and the liberalised sector?

Social housing has a maximum rent (€879.66/mo), an income limit and usually long waiting times. Liberalised-sector homes are immediately available, with no income limit, but at higher rents.

Can a landlord raise the rent every year in the liberalised sector?

Yes, but the maximum annual rent increase in the liberalised sector is capped at inflation + 1% (Affordable Rent Act 2024). In 2026 the maximum increase is around 4.1%.

How do I tell whether a home is in the liberalised sector?

You can request the WWS points score from the landlord or work it out using the HuurwoningHub calculator. Above 186 points, the home is in the liberalised sector.

Liberalised-Sector Rental Homes — A Complete Guide for 2026

A liberalised-sector rental home is one where the landlord is free to set the rent — there is no statutory maximum. In the Netherlands, the line between social housing and the liberalised sector is determined by the WWS points system (the housing valuation system). Homes scoring more than 186 points fall into the liberalised sector (rent above €1,157 per month in 2026). For tenants this means: no waiting lists and no income limits, but higher rents and less security of tenure under fixed-term contracts.

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Social housing, mid-market rent or liberalised sector: what are the differences?

Since 2024, following the introduction of the Affordable Rent Act, the Dutch rental market has been divided into three segments.

Segment	Rent (2026)	WWS points	Waiting time	Income limit
Social housing	Max. €879.66/mo	Under 143 points	5–15 years	Max. €47,699/year
Mid-market (regulated)	€879 – €1,157/mo	143–186 points	Varies	None
Liberalised sector	Above €1,157/mo	Above 186 points	None	None

How do you find a liberalised-sector rental home?

Liberalised-sector homes are available through HuurwoningHub and other rental platforms. The advantage of HuurwoningHub is direct contact with private landlords.

1 Create a free account on HuurwoningHub
2 Filter by your preferred city, property type and price range
3 Set up alerts for new homes that match your criteria
4 Respond quickly: liberalised-sector homes are let in 6.4 days on average
5 Send a complete application with a cover letter and proof of income

How much rent do you pay in the liberalised sector?

Rents in the liberalised sector are set by the market — supply and demand. Landlords may ask whatever the market will bear, but tenants are under no obligation to accept it. The annual rent increase is capped at inflation + 1%.

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