Buying
February 21, 2023

What housing market changes will Amsterdam see in 2021?

A new year comes with new opportunities and this year also with new rules and regulations. The Amsterdam housing market is facing a number of changes in 2021. To make it easy for you we have summed the most important ones up for you in a clear overview.

1. Tourist rental registration obligation

Residents who want to temporarily rent out their home to tourists will be obliged to register in the national registration system for tourist rental starting from the 1st of April 2021. As a result, the landlord is no longer anonymous and enforcement becomes easier. The permit and notification obligation for holiday rentals remain in force in addition to the registration obligation. The fines for violations are also going up.

2. Dividing up houses

From 2021, homes can only be converted into smaller homes that are at least 100 square meters in size (200 square meters applies to homes on a ground floor). The new homes must be at least 40 square meters in size, and in the case of homes on the ground floor, at least 100 square meters.

3. Transfer tax rises

The government is increasing the transfer tax for investors. This has major consequences for Amsterdam. Investors who buy a house to let pay more tax from January 1st: 8 percent instead of 2 percent. Initially, first-home buyers on the housing market (up to the age of 35) did not have to pay tax when they bought a home. But now, as of April 1, 2021, they still have to pay 2 percent transfer tax if they want to purchase a home of €400.000,- or more.

4. Taxes rise

The property tax (onroerendezaakbelasting) will increase by about 20 percent for Amsterdam homeowners. The property tax rate for homeowners for 2021 is set at 0.0428% of the WOZ value. For the municipality this provides an extra 36 million euros per year.

The waste tax will also increase significantly next year. Single-person households will pay €326 euros (from €276 euros in 2020) and families will be 435 euros (was 368 euros).

In 2021, no sufferance tax will be charged for terraces, due to the coronavirus.

5. Foundation label

Houses will be given a foundation label from July 2021, when they are appraised. Owners of some 250,000 properties can expect a high risk label.

If you have questions about any of the above or about buying or renting a home, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We’re here to help.

Source: https://www.parool.nl/amsterdam/dit-verandert-er-vanaf-1-januari-in-amsterdam~b0f12d20/, January, 4, 2021.