The price of non-rent-controlled houses and flats has risen a further 1.5%, according to research by housing plaform Pararius. The average cost of a ‘free sector’ home is now €12.61 per square metre, a slight rise after being relatively stable for the past five years, the company’s research shows.

Amsterdam remains the most expensive location, with an average price of €19.31 per square metre, unchanged from the second quarter. Rents in The Hague and Rotterdam have risen 3.3% and 2.9% respectively.

Pararius director Jasper de Groot says the increase is due to a contraction on the supply side. Over 15,000 homes were rented out in the third quarter but only 13,200 new properties came on the market.

De Groot expects rents to rise more sharply in future when housing agents are banned from charging tenants a finders fee.