Cabinet plans to extend rent controls to cover more homes in the Netherlands are likely to win approval in the lower house of parliament, now the far right PVV is “tending” towards support. 

PVV parliamentarian Barry Madlener said during Monday’s debate that he “thinks” the party’s 37 MPs will back the plan when they meet to discuss it on Tuesday. PVV support is essential for a majority in the lower house. 

The measure will hike the current maximum rent in the rent-controlled sector from €879 per month to €1,123 – based on the number of points a property is worth – and could come into effect this summer.

 At the moment landlords have free choice in deciding the rent of property which is calculated to be worth more than 142 points in the regulatory system. Homes with fewer points are currently classed as social housing with a maximum price of €879 per month. 

The new legislation will hike the rent control limit to 186 points. Ministry officials estimate the rent of some 300,000 homes will go down by an average of €190 when a new tenant moves in, and that 113,000 additional homes will become rent-controlled.

The changes should benefit international workers, particularly in the bigger cities, where landlords often charge high rents for tiny apartments, although the new rules will only apply to new tenancies.

However, tenants on an indefinite contract have up to six months after signing a lease to protest if they think their landlord is charging too much and their home would fall into the rent-controlled sector, based on the number of points it is worth. 

If the contract is for up to two years, tenants can apply for a point check up to six months before the end of the agreement.

MPs will hold a second debate on the plans on Wednesday followed by a vote, probably in a week.

The legislation will also have to be approved by the upper house of parliament where the BBB, which opposes the expansion of rent controls, is the biggest party.