The provincial government in Drenthe is considering paying householders up to €10,000 to subdivide their homes in order to ease the housing shortage.

Research by local media station RTV Drenthe found that few homeowners were taking the option of splitting up large properties such as farms, partly because of the regulations and cost implications.

The province said it was working on a plan to offer subsidies of between €5,000 and €10,000 to people who divide up their homes.

It also wants to harmonise the rules between municipalities to avoid postcode lotteries. Homeowners in De Wolden and Noordeveld can divide their property if it has a minimum area of 110 square metres, but in Aa en Hunze the threshold is 200 square metres.

“We see the added value in dividing homes in situations such as agricultural properties that fall vacant, arrangements to provide domestic care and the housing of young people,” the province wrote.