Objecting to your rent increase 2026,

Do you not agree with the proposed rent increase? Then you can object. On this page, you can read the reasons for objecting. This depends on the type of space you rent: a social rental home, a mid-market or private sector home, or another service such as a garage or storage unit.

Social rental homes

The reasons for objecting depend on the type of rent increase you have received from Lieven de Key.


Lower income: up to 4.1% or € 25

You can object if:
  • The rent of your home becomes higher than the maximum rent based on the points system.
  • Your rent increase is higher than the maximum percentage: up to 4.1% for a household income up to € 59.504 (single person) or € 68.858 (multi-person).
  • You received the rent increase proposal after 1 May 2026.
  • You have an ongoing procedure with the Huurcommissie (Rent Tribunal) about maintenance issues.
  • Your rent has been reduced or frozen following a decision by the Huurcommissie.
  • You receive more than two rent increases within 24 months (a rent increase after home improvements does not count).


Higher income: up to € 50 or € 100

You can object if:
  • Your rent increase is higher than the maximum amount: up to €50 for upper-middle incomes and €100 for high incomes.
  • The composition of your household has changed and you now fall into a different income category. We will request a new statement.
  • Your household income for 2024 is incorrect. Make sure you report the correct information to the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration as soon as possible. They will adjust your household statement. Lieven de Key will then request a new statement and assess your objection based on that.
  • Your household income in 2025 has decreased. When submitting your objection, include: o Income statements for 2025 for all current residents (available from the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration); and o An extract from the Personal Records Database (BRP) showing how many people are registered at your address (available from the municipality). Please note: this is not a standard extract. Ask your municipality how to request one that shows the number of residents.
  • Someone in your household is chronically ill or has a disability. In that case, the national scheme for chronically ill or disabled people applies. You can also find which documents are required for your objection there. Lieven de Key and the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration do not store medical data. This is why your situation is checked again each year. You must therefore object again each year, even if your situation does not change.

How can I object?

You can easily object using the online form. You can also send your objection by post to: Lieven de Key, attn. Rent increase, PO Box 2643, 1000 CP Amsterdam.

To object

After you submit your objection

  • Have you submitted an objection? You do not have to pay the part of the rent increase that you are objecting to. If we send your objection to the Rent Tribunal (Huurcommissie), any outstanding amount will be settled after the decision. We recommend that you set this amount aside each month.
  • You will receive a written response from us by 1 August 2026 at the latest.
  • Do you not agree with the decision? Let us know immediately. We are then required to send your objection and our decision to the Rent Tribunal (Huurcommissie). They will review the objection and make a decision. Please note: if the Rent Tribunal decides against you, this may cost €25.


What can you expect from a ruling by the Huurcommissie (Rent Tribunal)?

After reviewing the rent increase, both you and Lieven de Key will receive a decision. This will state whether the annual rent increase is correct. If the rent increase is correct, it will apply with retroactive effect. You will also have to pay the €25 procedure fee. If the rent increase is not correct, the Rent Tribunal will set the correct rent. This will also be stated in the decision.

Do you object by not paying your rent?

In that case, we do not know the reason for your objection. By law, we must send you a registered letter before 1 October 2026. If you still do not want to pay the rent increase, you must start a procedure yourself with the Rent Tribunal (Huurcommissie). Find more information here (in Dutch).

Mid-market homes

Do you not agree with the proposed rent increase? You can contact the Rent Tribunal (Huurcommissie). However, we recommend that you first contact Lieven de Key. For residents in mid-market homes, you can object if:

  • The rent of your home becomes higher than the maximum rent based on the points system.
  • Your rent increase is higher than the maximum percentage: up to 6.1% for mid-market homes.
  • Your rent increase is higher than the percentage stated in your tenancy agreement.

Private sector homes

Do you not agree with the proposed rent increase? You can contact the Rent Tribunal (Huurcommissie). However, we recommend that you first contact Lieven de Key. The rent can only be increased once a year if this is stated in your tenancy agreement:

  • Does your tenancy agreement state a percentage higher than 4.4%? Then we are not allowed to increase the rent by that higher percentage in 2026. The maximum rent increase in the private sector in 2026 is 4.4%.
  • Does your tenancy agreement state a percentage that is lower than or equal to 4.4%? Then we may increase the rent by the percentage stated in your agreement.
  • Does your tenancy agreement not include anything about a yearly rent increase? Then we cannot increase the rent.

Parking spaces and other spaces

You can object through the district court (kantonrechter). You can read how to do this on the government website (in Dutch).