The municipality of Almere, together with Hospi Housing, is starting a pilot to encourage hospitable rental. By renting out rooms in existing homes, the municipality aims to quickly create extra living spaces for people looking for (temporary) accommodation. The ambition is to realize 100 additional living spaces within 2 years.

Many homes in Almere have one or more empty rooms. Through hospitable rental, residents who live in their own home can rent out up to 2 rooms without a permit. This better utilizes existing living space and helps more people find affordable rooms.

Alderman Paul Tang (Housing): “The housing shortage requires smart solutions. In Almere, many houses have an empty room. By helping Almere residents rent these out, we quickly create extra living space. This helps people looking for a place and can also be beneficial for residents themselves: it combats loneliness and provides extra income.”

Support for landlords and tenants

Via Hospi Housing, residents receive support when renting out a room. The organization assists with finding a suitable tenant, drafting a rental agreement, and guidance during the rental period.

Daan Donkers (founder of Hospi Housing): “Renting a room in your own house can be quite daunting. That’s why we guide hospitable landlords step by step. We ensure a good match and a fair rent, so both the landlord and tenant feel comfortable and safe.”

Conditions for hospitable rental

In Almere, hospitable rental is allowed and permit-free if the landlord lives in the house and uses at least half of it. Tenants of rental homes must ask permission from their landlord or housing corporation. Often, a maximum rent amount applies. With this pilot, the municipality wants to actively promote and facilitate hospitable rental for residents.

Better use of existing homes

The pilot is part of the approach to better utilize existing homes, one of the measures from Almere’s housing program Trendbreuk. Many people in Almere live in homes larger than needed for the number of residents. Hospitable rental encourages better use of available space, for example by renting a room to someone seeking housing.

The municipality depends on the willingness of homeowners and national regulations over which it has no direct influence. Therefore, the focus is on stimulating and facilitating initiatives.

More information

Residents interested in hospitable rental can sign up via https://www.almere.nl/wonen/hospitaverhuur.