Student housing in the Netherlands frequently exceeds legal rent limits

An investigation by the program Argos reveals that a significant majority of student rooms listed on Kamernet are being offered at prices exceeding the legal limit. Between June and August 2026, the study analyzed over 2,500 advertisements across the Netherlands, finding that approximately 59 percent of rooms were overpriced.

In major cities, the discrepancy is even more pronounced. Amsterdam saw 97 percent of listings exceeding the legal maximum, with an average overcharge of 421 euros per month. Other cities with high rates of illegal pricing include Rotterdam (79 percent), The Hague (77 percent), and Utrecht (72 percent).

Despite the implementation of the Affordable Rent Act in 2025, which mandates that municipalities take action against landlords charging above the legal limit, the report indicates that enforcement is minimal. Cities such as Utrecht and Nijmegen have reportedly issued no fines or rent reductions. In the province of Gelderland, Arnhem recorded the highest percentage of overpriced rooms at 67 percent, while Nijmegen saw 65 percent of listings exceeding legal caps.