Owners can now also receive a subsidy if they only take one insulation measure at a time. Minister De Jonge of Housing writes this to the House of Representatives on Thursday. The measures are part of De Jonge’s elaboration of the agreements in the coalition agreement.
Rutte IV wants to give all poorly insulated homes and buildings a facelift before 2030. It was recently announced that from 2026 new central heating systems may no longer be installed. When replacing, there is only the choice between a hybrid heat pump or a sustainable alternative, such as a fully electric heat pump or connection to the heat network.
There are 4.4 million owner-occupied homes in the Netherlands. A large part of them now has double glazing (90 percent), facade and roof insulation (80 percent) and floor insulation (70 percent). However, there are also 900,000 owner-occupied homes that have little or nothing improved. They are largely in the lower price range.
Favorable terms
Because many homeowners in the low- and middle-income groups are particularly hesitant about the investment costs, the government wants to make the conditions more favourable. De Jonge refers to research by De Nederlandsche Bank, which shows that 15 to 20 percent of the owners are now financially unable to become more sustainable. ‘These households demand our attention.’
The National Heat Fund, which grants loans for energy-saving measures, will therefore start providing loans at zero interest to less wealthy homeowners on 1 October. They then pay off according to carrying capacity. The risk of a residual debt that cannot be paid off is borne by the fund, so that no one can get into financial problems structurally.
It will be easy for everyone to work step by step. Currently, subsidies and favorable loans usually still require the financing of several measures. That requirement disappears. ‘The entire financing amount can then be spent on solar panels, if desired’, says De Jonge.
Hard requirements by 2030
The non-commitment will disappear for all rental homes and buildings in the coming years. Housing associations and property owners are obliged to have their properties in order by 2030. Otherwise they may no longer be rented out. These legal requirements will apply from 1 January 2030. The exact standards will be announced shortly, so that owners have clarity about the measures they still have to take in the next seven years. Buyers can also include the requirements in their considerations when investing in properties or taking out loans and mortgages.