help with rent arrears

Step 1: Contact your landlord

Contact your landlord as soon as possible. State that you cannot pay right now, but that you want to. Ask if you can pay later. The sooner you do this, the greater the chance your landlord will agree. This also helps you avoid extra costs, such as collection fees.

Step 2: Agree on a payment plan
Are you unable to pay the entire arrears at once? Then ask if you can pay the arrears in installments. This is called a payment plan.

- Agree on the amount you must pay each time and when.

- Calculate your protected income amount. This is the portion of your income you need to pay your fixed expenses. You can use everything you earn above your protected income amount to pay off the arrears.

- Has your landlord already asked a bailiff for help to get you to pay? Then make a payment arrangement with the bailiff.

Right to housing allowance
Housing allowance is money you can receive from the government every month to pay your rent. It is intended for people with low incomes so that housing remains affordable. How much you receive depends on the rent, your income, and who you live with.

Rent protection
Rent protection ensures that your landlord cannot simply terminate the lease. Do you have a temporary rental home? Then you have less protection. The landlord may not terminate the lease prematurely, but they may do so at the end of the agreed rental period.

Rent price protection
Rent price protection means that the rent cannot simply become very high. There are rules for this, especially for social housing. The rent may usually only be increased once a year, and the government determines the maximum amount allowed.

you pay rent and have a low income? Then you may be entitled to a rent allowance. Rent allowance is a government contribution that covers part of your rent. This lowers your housing costs and can make it easier to pay your rent on time.

1. Rent allowance is a government contribution towards paying rent. You can receive rent allowance if your income is not too high. How much you are allowed to earn depends on the rent price, age, and the number of people you live with.

2. Your home must be self-contained. This means that you have your own front door, kitchen, toilet, and shower or bathroom. For some homes, such as a holiday home or houseboat, you usually do not receive rent allowance.

3. You must also not have too much savings or assets. In 2026, a single person may have a maximum of €38,479. Partners together may have a maximum of €76,958.

4. Every situation is different. Therefore, additional rules may sometimes apply. Are you unsure? Then ask for help to see if you are entitled to rent allowance.

Are you wondering if you are entitled to rent allowance? Easily make a trial calculation via:

https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/huurtoeslag/content/kan-ik-huurtoeslag-krijgen

Do you rent a home? Then you are entitled to tenant protection. Tenant protection means that a landlord cannot simply evict you from your home or terminate the lease. The law protects tenants and ensures that clear rules apply to both tenants and landlords. This gives you more certainty regarding your living situation.

You have tenancy protection if you rent a home such as:

A house or single-family home
An apartment
A room
A permanent mooring for a houseboat
A permanent mobile home (not on a holiday park)
A pitch for a mobile home (not on a holiday park)

Tenancy protection for partner and housemates

Do you live with others? Then your partner and other housemates have the same tenancy protection as long as they continue to live in the home.

Cases where you are not entitled to tenancy protection

In some situations, tenancy protection does not apply, and the landlord may terminate the lease. This is the case, for example:

If you do not adhere to the agreements, such as not paying rent or causing a nuisance

If the landlord or a direct family member needs the home themselves

If the home is demolished or renovated

If you rent a room from a landlady and are still within the first 9 months

If you continued to live in the home after the death of a parent and are now 28 years old

If you live in a flexible housing unit and the municipality revokes the permit

Do you pay high rent and have a low income? Then you might be eligible for a rent reduction. A rent reduction means you have to pay less rent. This can help if you are struggling to pay the rent.

Do you think you are entitled to a rent reduction? Then contact the Rent Commission. The Rent Commission can assess whether your rent can be reduced.

To apply, you usually need these documents:

An extract from the Personal Records Database (BRP).

Information about your income, such as payslips or a benefit statement.

Do not wait too long. The sooner you submit an application, the sooner your situation can be assessed.

For more information, please visit the Rent Commission's website:

https://www.huurcommissie.nl/support/mijnhuurcommissie