In Delft, where the rental market is under pressure due to the popularity of TU Delft and the vibrant student and expat life, an income-dependent rent increase is calculated based on your joint rental income according to the Tax Authorities. Landlords in Delft use income data from two years prior (e.g., 2022 for increases in 2024). The formula is: maximum increase = rent price × (income-dependent percentage × income index). For 2024, in the private sector in Delft, 5.3% applies for incomes above €47,699, with lower percentages for lower incomes – crucial in a city with many starters and academics.
Step 1: Request your income statement via Mijn Belastingdienst. Step 2: Check if your Delft property falls under the scheme (rent price limit €808.06 for private sector in 2024; many properties around the center or TU campus exceed this). Step 3: Compare the proposed increase with the statutory maximum. If too high in Delft rental complexes, you can file an objection with the Huurcommissie in The Hague, which handles many cases from this region. Note: only the net bare rent counts, not service charges as in many Delft student flats. Landlords must submit the proposal before 1 May. In case of income decrease due to job loss – not uncommon in the dynamic Delft labor market – you can apply for remission via the municipality of Delft. This scheme protects middle incomes in Delft, but be alert to errors in income data, especially for expats or flex workers. Local rent teams in Delft offer free advice for objections.