What is starter rent in Delft and how does it work?
Starter rent, introduced as of 1 July 2024 via the Starter Rent Act (article 7:255a Dutch Civil Code), allows landlords in Delft to charge young tenants (18-28 years) higher rents for mid-range rental properties. This applies to new construction projects such as in the Nieuwbinnen neighbourhood or renovated buildings on Phoenixstraat, with a maximum rent of €1,146 gross per month. In Delft, where the housing shortage among students and starters is high, this helps young people find housing faster in neighbourhoods such as the City Centre or Zuiderpoort.
Pitfalls and protection in Delft
The tenancy agreement ends automatically after a maximum of two years, without termination protection during that period. Tenants in Delft lose entitlement to regular rent protection, but can apply for rent controls via the Rent Tribunal. Abuse, such as renting to older tenants via loopholes, results in the invalidity of the contract. The municipality of Delft strictly monitors compliance to prevent speculation.
Rights after expiry in Delft
After two years, standard tenancy law applies. Young tenants in Delft must terminate in time to avoid double rent, especially at popular locations near TU Delft. The Act prohibits interim termination by landlords, except in case of non-payment. The municipality of Delft sets quotas for starter rent properties; check the local Housing Allocation Ordinance on delft.nl for current rules and available properties in neighbourhoods such as the Hof van Delft.