Housing

Homeowners in the Netherlands face higher municipal charges this year, with property taxes rising sharply in several areas. VEH warns that many municipalities are struggling financially and may continue raising taxes unless national funding improves. Some households now pay more than €1,000 a year in local housing-related costs

Plans for a 300-home development in Best have met with strong opposition from local residents. Neighbours fear the loss of green space and increased traffic will harm the area's village-like atmosphere and safety.

Opposition parties in Eindhoven are sounding the alarm over new national policies that could strip the city of its power to demand affordable housing. The groups fear that a push for national standardisation will benefit big developers while making it harder for residents to find reasonably priced homes.

The 2026 Dutch coalition speeds up Brainport housing construction while boosting education and R&D funding. New rules limit objections and push universities and firms to build homes, sparking debate over homelessness risks. Eindhoven, Veldhoven and Helmond stand to gain across key challenges.

Eindhoven housing experts praise alderman Mieke Verhees's efforts but urge faster action and a mindset shift to tackle the crisis. Coalition changes promise easier building, yet bureaucracy and "not-in-my-backyard" attitudes slow progress. A recent low council turnout at a housing meeting raises priority questions.

Dutch mortgage applications dropped sharply in January, with homebuyer requests down over a quarter from last year. HDN data reveals a slowdown after 2025's rate-driven peak, amid persistent housing shortages. Stable but slightly lower average home values signal a cautious market start.

The Netherlands recorded a decline in the number of newly completed homes for the third consecutive year in 2025, according to the latest data...