What counts towards the rent for the rent benefit?
The rent benefit is calculated based on the calculation rent (rekenhuur). This is your base rent.
What is my base rent?
The base rent is the rent for your home, excluding additional costs such as gas, water and electricity. You can find the amounts in your rental contract or in the letter about the annual rent increase.
If you pay all-in rent, ask your landlord to break it down into base rent and additional costs. If you have a caravan (woonwagen), you may include the rent for the pitch to the caravan's rent.
Before 2026, some service costs where part of the rent too
Up until 2026, the calculation rent included some service costs. These 4 types of service charges counted (partly) towards the rent benefit:
- costs for cleaning communal spaces
These are the monthly cleaning costs for the lift and other communal spaces, such as a corridor, stairwell or recreational room. Is your rental home designated as a non-independent residence that is eligible for rent benefit? In that case, you cannot add, for example, the cleaning costs of a communal kitchen, living room, washroom or toilet.
- energy costs for the communal spaces
These include the monthly electricity costs for the lift, lighting, ventilation and the alarm systems. This does not include the energy costs of your home.
- costs for the caretaker
These are the monthly costs for the services provided by the caretaker, building supervisor, estate manager, or concierge.
- costs for service and recreation spaces
These are the monthly costs for repairs and major maintenance of service areas and recreation spaces. These costs usually occur in senior or retirement housing. This does not concern the inventory, cleaning of the areas, or maintenance of the garden.
We added a maximum of €12 to the rental price per service cost, even if the amount you paid was higher. For example, if you paid €15 for the cleaning of communal rooms, only €12 of it counted towards the rent calculation. The total service costs could never exceed €48.
What should I do if my rent changes?
Check whether you need to report this yourself (only available in Dutch).
