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Rent affordability calculator: how much rent can you afford?

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Before tax. Add your partner's income if you rent together.

Enter an amount to see the result.

The monthly rent from the listing.

Enter an amount to see the result.

How landlords check your income

Most private landlords and letting agents in the Netherlands ask for a gross monthly income of three to four times the rent. Some calculate it per year: your gross annual income should be about 48 times the monthly rent, which is the same as four times per month. Gross means your income before tax.

The exact rule differs per landlord and is usually stated in the listing. When it isn't, the range above is a safe guide.

Renting together

When you rent with a partner or friend, landlords usually add up your incomes. Some only count part of a second income, so check the listing or ask the agent.

Not enough income?

  • Ask a guarantor, often a parent, to sign a guarantor statement. This is how most students rent.
  • Look at homes where the rent is regulated. Since July 2024, the Affordable Rent Act sets a maximum rent for homes with up to 186 points in the points system.
  • A landlord may not ask for a deposit of more than two months' basic rent, so offering a bigger deposit is not a way around the income rule.

Next step

Once you know your range, get your documents ready. Our checklist of documents you need to rent covers employees, students, self-employed people and guarantors.

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