Rent Determination in Temporary Rental Contracts in Delft
In Delft, with its vibrant student population and historic city centre, the rent price cap under article 7:249 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW) also applies to short-term rentals. The maximum rent price is determined via the housing valuation system (WWS), based on points for surface area, amenities such as furnished rooms typical for TU Delft students, and energy performance. Landlords in neighbourhoods such as the city centre or Poptahof may not charge excessive amounts, especially not to temporary tenants.
Indexation and Adjustment in Delft
The annual rent increase is limited to the inflation rate plus 1% (article 7:247 BW). For short-term contracts, often used for expats or students in Delft, every adjustment must be notified in writing and in a timely manner. Tenants can file an objection with the Rent Tribunal if the price exceeds the WWS maximum, with specific attention to the high demand for affordable housing near the Technical University.
Practical Tips for Tenants in Delft
Use the rent price check on huurcommissie.nl to test your rent in Delft against local WWS values. In case of exceedance, you can demand a rent reduction with retroactive effect for up to two years. For temporary rentals in Delft, no liberalisation criterion applies, so WWS control always applies, even for rooms in listed buildings. Local authorities such as the municipality of Delft offer additional advice via their rent team.
Recent rulings by the Supreme Court emphasize that creeping price increases via repeated short-term contracts are illegal, a common problem in Delft student houses.