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.
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 Set up a free rental alert on HuurwoningHub (no account needed)
- 2 Filter by your preferred city, property type and price range
- 3 Choose city, budget and property type; you get at most one email a day with new listings
- 4 Respond quickly: popular liberalised-sector homes are often gone within days
- 5 Send the landlord a clear, personal message
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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