Important Regulatory Changes & Their Impact on Your Housing Search
The Dutch rental market has undergone significant regulatory changes over the past year, and these developments are having a major impact on the availability of rental homes—particularly in cities like Leiden, where demand has long been high. As your local housing specialists and proud partner of Leiden International Centre, 2L Tweelwonen would like to inform you of the most important developments and offer clear guidance to help you navigate the new market conditions.
1. New Regulations: What Has Changed?
Recent government measures aimed at increasing affordability and protecting tenants have unintentionally led to a reduced supply of rental properties in the private sector. Key developments include:
- Woning Waarderings Systeem (WWS) (Expanded points-based system) for more rental homes, pushing many properties into the regulated segment with capped rental prices.
- Stricter rules for temporary leases, making it less appealing for private landlords to offer short- or mid-term rental contracts that expats often rely on.
- Higher taxes and compliance requirements for landlords, leading some to sell their properties rather than rent them out.
While these measures aim to stabilise the housing market, their short-term effect has been a notable decline in available rental homes, especially in the free-sector segment commonly used by international employees.
2. Housing Shortage in Leiden: What You Need to Know
Leiden is a thriving international hub with the Leiden University, research institutes, and multinational companies. However, the combination of high demand and shrinking supply now results in:
- Fewer listings available each month
- Increased competition among applicants
- Shorter timeframes for decision-making once a property becomes available
Where expats previously had a comfortable selection of suitable homes, the current reality means quick action and early preparation are essential.
3. Why You Must Start Your Housing Search Earlier
Traditionally, expats and employers began the home-finding process about one month before arrival or relocation.
Today, this approach is no longer sufficient.
Due to reduced supply and higher competition, the current Leiden housing market requires a search window of at least 2 to 3 months in advance. Starting earlier allows:
- Better alignment of expectations with the regulated vs. free-sector rental options
- A larger pool of suitable properties to choose from
- More time for viewing, contract preparation, and planning
- Reduced stress for employees and HR departments managing relocations
This shift is essential to ensure a smooth and successful transition for incoming international talent.
4. Our Advice for Employers & HR Teams
To safeguard the wellbeing and productivity of your international staff, we strongly recommend:
- Initiate housing support early—ideally when the employment contract is signed.
- Provide realistic budget ranges based on the new regulatory environment.
- Inform employees about adjusted timelines so expectations are clear.
- Engage a professional housing partner who understands the evolving rules and market dynamics.
If you would like more detailed guidance or support with upcoming relocations, our team is ready to assist.