Some 450,000 households living in rent-controlled housing will have to pay an extra rent increase from July because they earn too much, housing minister Stef Blok told parliament on Tuesday.

From July corporations and private landlords can increase the rent of tenants in rent-controlled accommodation and earning €33,000 to €43,000 by 4.5%. Those earning more than €43,000 face a rise of 6%.

The aim is to encourage higher earners to leave the rent-controlled sector or to buy their own home.

Information

Last week it emerged that housing corporations have run into trouble trying to get information about their tenants’ incomes from the tax office. Blok said landlords who have not yet found out which band their tenants fall into will be able to put the rent up later in the year.

The rent increases do not affect people living in rented accommodation which costs more than €660 a month.