What Determines Which WWS Applies?

WWS stands for “Woning Waardering Stelsel,” which translates to “Housing Valuation System.” Simply put, it’s the points system used to determine rent prices.

As of July 1, 2024, this system has undergone significant changes, resulting in a requirement that a property must have at least 187 points to qualify as a free-market rental. There’s considerable confusion about which system applies to a property, especially if your property had more than approximately 143 points under the old system but less than 187 points under the new one.

Liberalization Threshold Until July 1, 2024

Until July 1, 2024, the liberalization threshold (the point at which a property enters the free market) was set at a monthly rent of €879.66, equivalent to 143 points. As of July 1, 2024, this threshold is now equivalent to 187 points. So, before July 1, 2024, you needed at least 143 points to charge any rent you wanted. This has now increased to 187 points as of July 1, 2024.

How Can I Determine Whether the Old or New Liberalization Threshold Applies to Me?

The rule is very straightforward: the date the rental contract was signed determines whether you fall under the old or the new regime.

For example, suppose you rent out a property with 150 points as of July 1, 2024, and the rental contract was signed on June 30, 2024. You’re in luck because the contract was signed before July 1, which means it still falls under the old WWS system, where 150 points qualify the property as a free-market rental.

In theory, it’s also possible for a rental contract signed on June 30, 2024, but taking effect on November 1, 2024, to still fall under the old system.

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