Dutch Rent Allowance. Do you have your own house or room? And do you pay rent? Then you may receive a small amount of money from the government for the costs of the rent of your accommodation. This is what we call ‘huurtoeslag’ (housing benefit). How much money you receive, depends on your living situation, income and age.
In most cases COA or VWN has already signed you up for huurtoeslag when you get your own accommodation. In case you need to apply for huurtoeslag yourself, you have to:
⇒ Have a residence permit
⇒ Be 18 years or older
⇒ Rent an independent accommodation for a monthly amount of money
Note: the type and hight of the rent has to meet certain conditions (and ‘passendwonen’). Make sure you know before you sign a contract if the accommodation meets the conditions for huurtoeslag. That prevents financial problems.
⇒ Have signed housing contract with the renter of the accommodation
⇒ Be registered with the municipality where you live
Can I apply for Huurtoeslag?
The huurtoeslag depends on your income, your property, the person you live with and the age of your housemate (based on the regulations of the belastingdienst in 2017).
Do you live alone? Then:
Your rent each month cannot be higher than:
⇒ Minimum € 223,42 and maximum € 414,02 per month (for people under 23 years of age)
⇒ Minimum € 223,42 and maximum € 710,68 per month (for people between 23 until age of retirement)
Apart from age, your income and property cannot be more than:
⇒ Maximum € 22.200 income each year
⇒ Maximum € 25.000 property
Do you live together with your partner, child or housemate? Then:
Your rent every month cannot be higher than:
⇒ Minimum € 223,42 and maximum € 414,02 per month (for people under 23 years of age)
⇒ Minimum € 223,42 and maximum € 710,68 per month (for people between 23 until age of retirement)
Apart from age, your income and property cannot be more than:
⇒ Maximum € 30.150 total income (all incomes together) each year
⇒ Every person maximum € 25.000 property
These are general rules, there are a couple of exceptions. More information about these exceptions and the conditions for huurtoeslag you can find here.
How much huurtoeslag do I get?
Do you meet the conditions above? Then you can receive huurtoeslag. The amount of money you receive depends on the height of your rent, income and property. In general, the more income you have, the less huurtoeslag you will get.
To estimate the amount of money you will receive, you can make a quick calculation here.
1. Choose the year over which you want to apply for huurtoeslag
2. Choose the option ‘huurtoeslag’
3. Fill in all the right information they ask from you
4. See what amount of money could receive from the government
Did your income change? Adjust your huurtoeslag!
When your income changes (you earn more or less money), try to register this online as soon as possible through ‘Mijn Toeslagen’ with your DigiD. When you do this, the amount of money you receive as huurtoeslag will automatically be changed. If you do not do this, it could be that you will have to pay back a lot of money later on in the year.
You can change your income through the ‘Mijn Toeslagen’-website ⇒ https://mijn.toeslagen.nl
⇒ Do you want to apply for huurtoeslag for the coming months of the year? You can do this at every moment during the year.
⇒ Do you want to receive huurtoeslag for the months that have already passed? Then you have to apply for huurtoeslag before the 1st of September during the next year.
Tip!
Is it difficult for you to arrange huurtoeslag by yourself? Visit your local STIP! They can always help you to apply and change important information like a change in income.