Living/housing

Private rental prices have surged faster than both house prices and inflation in the first quarter of this year, with new tenants facing a 7.3% annual increase. As supply continues to shrink and more properties disappear from the market than are added, nearly half of all available private rentals now cost over €2,000 per month. Although the number of enquiries per property has dipped to its lowest level since 2021, experts warn that the market remains incredibly tight, as demand is simply being squeezed into a dwindling number of affordable homes.

The Dutch mortgage market is no longer driven only by price growth and urgency. It is increasingly shaped by who already owns a home, who can rely on family help, and who can handle higher monthly costs

Rising mortgage rates, fuelled by the conflict in the Middle East, have led to a cooling of the Dutch housing market, with the average mortgage amount stalling for the first time in three years. Data from De Hypotheker shows that while existing homeowners are staying active by porting their lower interest rates to new properties, first-time buyers are increasingly being squeezed out. The market is also becoming highly fragmented; activity has plummeted in areas like Utrecht, while provinces such as Zeeland and Groningen have seen a surprising surge in interest, highlighting a shift towards a more stabilised yet regionally divided property market.

Dutch small businesses are calling on the government to take urgent action to reduce high energy and fuel costs. Many firms are passing on rising expenses to customers, while others risk losses as fuel prices reach record levels.

The latest NVM Open House Day drew 52,000 visitors, showing a clear rise in interest compared with previous editions. Nearly 9,000 homes opened their doors, with major cities leading participation and Amsterdam recording the highest average asking prices. The NVM says supply is growing, although the market remains firmly priced.

Dutch mortgage rates have seen their sharpest weekly rise since March last year, with 41 lenders hiking prices following recent military escalations in the Middle East. According to De Hypotheekshop, the average rate for a 10-year mortgage with a National Mortgage Guarantee now sits at 3.99 per cent, marking one of the largest interest rate jumps since 2008. While these figures remain below the 4.55 per cent peak seen in recent years, experts warn that future costs will stay closely tied to energy prices and the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

A 20-year-old man from The Hague has been sentenced to prison and mandatory psychiatric care for the online abuse of dozens of children. Following his sentence, he will undergo intensive supervision to prevent future offences.

Mortgage rates in the Netherlands have increased due to the Iran conflict. First‑time buyers, as well as buyers in major cities and the new‑build market, are particularly likely to feel the impact, according to ING Research.