News item | 25-11-2025 | 10:50
Home seekers are increasingly receiving equal opportunities in the private rental sector. This is evident from the fourth National Monitor on discrimination in residential rental. For the first time, no hard evidence is found of discrimination based on origin, sexual preference or gender of those interested in a home viewing. However, more than half of rental agents respond to requests to exclude certain groups of tenants, despite increased awareness that this is discriminatory.
Although the results of the monitor are a step forward in some respects, the research also shows that continued efforts to raise awareness, enforcement and cooperation remain necessary so that everyone in the Netherlands has an equal chance of owning a home. Minister Mona Keijzer of Housing and Spatial Planning continues the annual monitoring of residential discrimination and focuses on information, strengthening the local and sector-oriented approach and the use of the Good Landlordship Act. Trade organizations are working on, among other things, increasing awareness among their members. There will also be a new awareness campaign on social media this fall about housing discrimination and the Good Landlordship Act.
Research results
The Verwey-Jonker Institute carried out the fourth National Monitor on behalf of the Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning (VRO). During the study, researchers tried using fictitious personal profiles correspondence tests to receive an invitation to view a rental property. They varied in origin (name) and gender, among other things. In previous editions, candidates with a non-Dutch sounding name received an invitation less often. In the latest measurement, researchers no longer see that difference: all profiles now have an equal chance of being invited.
The monitor also shows that awareness of discrimination is increasing in the rental sector. During so-called mystery calls researchers called rental agents with discriminatory requests, such as excluding certain groups of tenants. In 55% of the conversations, brokers referred to this as discrimination and more than 22% emphatically rejected the request, compared to 14% in 2014. Yet it appears that more than half of the mediators are still prepared to respond to such requests, compared to more than 37% in 2022.
More information
Read more about tackling residential discrimination, practical stories and outcomes from previous editions of the monitor at: www.volkshuisvestingnederland.nl/woonvakantie