Housing Benefit and the Impact of the Liberalisation Threshold

The liberalisation threshold directly determines eligibility for housing benefit. Properties below the threshold qualify for a benefit of up to €400+ per month for low-income households. No benefit is granted above the threshold, even for those on minimum income. The Housing Benefit Act (Art. 6) links this to the 'deductible rent': net rent minus service charges. In 2024, the maximum income is €26,500 for single-person households and €35,000 for cohabiting households. Exceeding these limits results in an abrupt loss of the benefit, potentially doubling housing costs. Exception: temporary liberalisation during renovation retains the benefit for 2 years. Tenants must report changes within 4 weeks via Mijn toeslagen. Landlords risk fines for incorrect registration in the housing register. Statistics: 1.2 million households depend on the benefit; liberalisation affects over 100,000 annually. Strategy: tenants may negotiate service charges to stay below the threshold. The Tax and Customs Administration publishes monthly tables. Link to energy performance: A++ rated properties receive bonus points, potentially delaying liberalisation. Legal: In 2023, the Council of State ruled that automatic exclusion may be disproportionate in exceptional circumstances. Check eligibility via toeslagen.nl. This article outlines the financial pitfalls of crossing the threshold.