Excessively high rent prices, poor maintenance, intimidation: there are still abuses in private rental housing. The Municipality of Rotterdam is increasingly successful in tackling these issues, among others through an online reporting point and street actions.
More than 2 years ago, the Unwanted Rental Behavior Reporting Point was established. Tenants from all over Rotterdam can file an online report here if they believe they are paying too much rent. After a report, an inspector from the municipality visits the tenant. He or she then performs a point assessment of the Housing Valuation System.
On average 350 euros less rent
This involves questions such as: how large is the property, what facilities are in the kitchen, and is there a garden or balcony? Based on this, it becomes clear what an appropriate rent would be. If the rent is too high, the inspector talks to the landlord. If the landlord does not adjust the rent, usually a fine follows.
For reports of excessive rent, it has been possible to reduce the rent by an average of 350 euros. So it really pays off to report. More and more tenants are aware of this. In 2025, 667 reports were made to the reporting point. That is 76 percent more than in the previous period.
Team going door-to-door
Still, not everyone knows that they can file a report themselves. Therefore, the municipality also holds street actions. A team goes door-to-door. They inform tenants about their rights and the Unwanted Rental Behavior Reporting Point. In 2025, there were 6 of these street actions, visiting 700 addresses.
On Wednesday, February 11, the first street action of 2026 took place. Approximately 140 privately rented homes on Pleinweg were visited. Alderman Zeegers for Climate, Building and Housing was also present. ‘We will continue these street actions. This is a joint responsibility of the municipality, housing corporations and the tenants themselves.’
‘Housing is a basic need’
Woonbron is also involved in the actions. Director André Hammink: ‘Housing is a basic need, not a luxury. We stand alongside the residents in the neighborhoods where we are active, even when they rent from private landlords. If tenants pay too much, it affects the livability of the entire neighborhood. That is why we actively participate in this initiative.’ The plan is to eventually visit all 6100 privately rented homes.
On Thursday, Alderman Zeegers will send the Progress Report Good Renting and Leasing in 2025 to the municipal council. This shows good results of the municipal approach. This is made possible by 2 laws passed in recent years: the Affordable Rent Act (2024) and the Good Landlord Act (2023).
More information
Tenants in Rotterdam who suspect they are paying too much rent can find more information at weetwatjehuurt.nl. Link opens an external page in a new browser tab., visit their neighborhood hub or the reporting point at Markerstraat 7 in Carnisse.