Rent allowance
How do I apply for rent allowance?
You can apply for rent allowance from the Tax Office via 'Ik wil een toeslag aanvragen'. (I want to apply for an allowance). Before applying, you should first check that you meet the conditions. You’ll need to provide information about your housing costs. The rent allowance calculation is based on the amount of rent you pay together with service costs for lighting/electricity, cleaning of communal areas and caretaker/contribution to the tenant management organisation.
Extra tips for applying for rent allowance for Stadswonen accommodations:
- The rent allowance application form includes the question “Woon je onzelfstandig?” (Do you live in non-self-contained accommodation?) If you live in a room, the answer is yes. But your response should be “onzelfstandige, aangewezen” (non-self-contained, eligible). The Tax Office is aware that Stadswonen Rotterdam rooms have been officially designated as eligible for rent allowance. If they ask for proof of this designation, we are able to send you a copy.
- To apply for rent allowance, you need to provide information about your housing costs (basic rent together with service costs).
- First make a rent allowance test calculation to get an idea of whether you are entitled to rent allowance and how much you're likely to receive.
What is rent allowance?
Rent allowance is a government subsidy that is sometimes granted towards the cost of renting accommodation, so that everyone in the Netherlands is able to afford a place to live.
Do I qualify for rent allowance?
Whether you qualify for rent allowance depends on the amount of your rent*, your age and your financial situation. You must be at least 18 years old and registered with the local municipality. You can find out whether you are likely to qualify for rent allowance using the rent allowance calculator.
The conditions and income limits for rent allowance depend on your personal situation. You can find a complete overview of the conditions for claiming rent allowance on the Tax Office website.
*The amount of rent for rent allowance purposes is considered to be your basic rent together with the service costs (lighting / electricity, cleaning of communal areas and caretaker/contribution to the tenant management organisation).
Rent allowance for Stadswonen rooms
Most of the rooms offered by Stadswonen Rotterdam have been officially designated as eligible for rent allowance. Government rules actually stipulate that rent allowance can only be paid for “self-contained” homes, i.e. accommodations which have their own living room and/or bedroom, together with a private kitchen and toilet. Although rooms don’t usually meet this criteria, Stadswonen Rotterdam rooms do still qualify for rent allowance because they have been given a special designation by the Tax Office. When applying for rent allowance, you should enter the property type as: “Onzelfstandig, aangewezen”. (Non-self-contained, eligible.) If the Tax Office requires proof of this designation, we are able to send you a copy.
Rent allowance for Stadswonen studios and other apartments
Studios and other apartments rented through us are also eligible for rent allowance, as long as you also meet the requirements regarding rent amount, age and financial situation.
How much rent allowance can I get?
The amount of rent allowance you get depends on how much rent you pay*, your age and your financial situation. If you earn too much, you will either receive a lower allowance or perhaps none at all.
The Tax Office has an online tool to help you estimate your rent allowance, so you can get an idea of how much you might qualify for.
*The amount of rent for rent allowance purposes is considered to be your basic rent together with the service costs (lighting / electricity, cleaning of communal areas and caretaker/contribution to the tenant management organisation).
For what part of the year can I get rent allowance?
You can apply for rent allowance throughout the year. You can therefore ask for it to start on any date from 1 January to 31 December. If you are entitled to receive it, of course.
Can I make a back-claim for rent allowance?
If you have found out you were entitled to rent allowance last year which you didn’t claim, you can still apply for it up till 1 September this year. In some cases you can still apply for housing allowance from two years ago. This is possible if the Tax Office has granted you a postponement for submitting that year’s income tax return. If you have already submitted your tax return or have not been granted permission to postpone, unfortunately you can no longer apply for housing allowance from two years ago.
Why am I no longer receiving rent allowance?
Do you live in a Stadswonen Rotterdam room which has had its address number changed? If so, it could be that this information was not properly processed by the Tax Office.
Some background information:
Since 1 July 2009, the ‘Basisregistraties Adressen en Gebouwen’ (BAG) law (Basic Registration of Addresses and Buildings) has been in force. Among other things, this law stipulates which "residential objects" may be assigned an address number. The law was tightened in 2013, with non-self-contained homes such as student rooms no longer being eligible for individual house numbers. The Land Registry subsequently instructed municipalities to only register self-contained living spaces in the BAG.
An address number change should not have any consequences for your rent allowance. All of Stadswonen Rotterdam’s rooms are designated as eligible for rent allowance and we have informed the Tax Office of the applicable address number changes.
Why has my rent allowance been stopped or reduced?
The Tax Office needs time to process changes in its administration. If the amount you are receiving has changed, you should call the Tax Information Line on 0800-0543 (free-of-charge), which is available Monday to Thursday 8am to 8pm and on Friday 8am to 5pm. Make it clear that you live in a student complex and your address number has been changed. Your rent allowance will be restored to what it was before and you will receive any back-payments due.
