In Leiden, where the rental market is under pressure due to the popularity of the university and expat community, alongside the income-dependent rent increase, the regular increase based on inflation (CPI) plus 1% also applies for housing associations such as DUWO and Haag Wonen. For 2024, this maximum in the free sector has been set at 5.4%, but in the liberalised sector in Leiden, this can turn out higher depending on the agreements in the tenancy agreement.
Landlords in Leiden may not simply combine both forms; the income-dependent increase applies exclusively to households with an income above €47,699 at housing associations. The inflation adjustment must be announced before 1 May and follows the statutory maxima from the Rent Price Ceiling Regulation. Local rent teams in Leiden, such as the Huurteam Leiden of the Woonbond, help tenants check these calculations.
Tenants in neighbourhoods such as the City Centre or Professorenwijk can challenge both types of increases via the Rent Tribunal, which handles many cases in Leiden. Document all correspondence carefully, especially for applications for rent allowance via the Leidenaren Loket. The Housing Authority provides national supervision, but locally, the municipality of Leiden intervenes in excesses, such as illegal renting to students. These dual systems balance the income of Leiden landlords with strong tenant protection, but require annual checks via tools such as the municipality's Huurcheck.