Amsterdam city council has given landlords until April 1 to apply for licences to rent properties to groups of young adults.

Two of the ruling parties – D66 and GroenLinks – proposed the extension after housing corporations, landlords and student organisations warned that the new rules will be disastrous for flat-sharing.

The rest of the new rules, such as quotas for bed and breakfast accommodation, will come into effect on January 1 as planned.

From April 1, landlords will have to have a licence if they want to rent a property to three or more adults who are not related, and will also have to give each tenant an individual contract. Tenants will be able to apply to the rent tribunal to have their payments cut.

Rotterdam too is considering introducing tough rules to cover flat sharing. Earlier this week, councillors voted in favour of a motion calling for measures to combat flat-sharing and buy-to-let constructions.