Dutch housing corporations adopt new policy value rules for 2026 financial reporting
Starting in 2026, Dutch housing corporations must use a new policy value handbook to determine the value of their real estate in annual accounts. This change simplifies reporting but may affect how tenants and investors view property valuations and financial transparency.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Issuing Authority | Dutch Housing Corporation Authority (Aw) |
| Effective Date | 2026 reporting year |
| New Valuation Basis | Policy value (replaces market value in annual accounts) |
| Types of Real Estate Covered | Residential properties, commercial property, social property, care real estate, parking |
| Methodology Change | Residential: largely unchanged; Other types: new policy value framework |
| Consultation Process | Accountants, housing corporations, software suppliers, WSW |
| Next Steps | Software testing (2026), final approval by Ministry (October 2026) |
The Dutch Housing Corporation Authority (Aw) oversees the financial and operational standards of housing corporations in the Netherlands. Its role includes ensuring transparency and consistency in how these organizations report the value of their real estate assets, which impacts affordability and public trust in social housing.
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Aw publishes policy value handbook
The Dutch Housing Corporation Authority (Aw) today publishes the policy value handbook. This handbook describes how housing corporations must determine the policy value of their real estate. The concept of policy value is not new, but from the 2026 reporting year onwards, it will play a more significant role in the annual accounts. Until the 2025 reporting year, policy value was only included as an explanation in the annual accounts, but from the 2026 reporting year onwards, it will serve as the valuation basis on the balance sheets of housing corporations. By transitioning to a single value concept, the annual reporting process will be simplified.
As of the 2026 reporting year, the market value will no longer appear in the annual accounts of housing corporations, and a centrally organized market value system will be introduced. More information about this change is available on the website of the Social Housing Guarantee Fund (WSW).
About the policy value handbook
The policy value handbook has been designed as a standalone, readable, stable, and user-friendly document aimed at consistent and uniform application within the sector. It provides a description of the methodology for determining policy value and thus serves as an applicable framework for the annual accounts of housing corporations.
Key principles
The Aw has explicitly focused on practical feasibility and minimizing administrative burdens. Where possible, it has aligned with the existing methodology and continues the current framework for determining policy value. This provides a clear basis for determining policy value in the annual accounts.
The handbook distinguishes between residential properties and other types of real estate (commercial property, social property, intramural care real estate, and parking):
- For residential properties, the policy value methodology remains largely unchanged.
- For other types of real estate, policy value is now introduced, whereas previously only a market value was determined for these types. The handbook includes a methodology that fits within the policy value concept. Where possible, it aligns with existing principles from the base version of the market value. Solutions have been chosen to minimize administrative burdens while maintaining a representative valuation.
Development process
The handbook was developed through a careful consultation process with accountants, housing corporations, software suppliers, and the WSW. Feedback received from the sector was incorporated where necessary to clarify and optimize the handbook.
Additional documents
In the ‘questions and answers’ section on the same webpage as the policy value handbook, explanations are provided for potential questions. The parameters and discount rate will be determined separately and are expected to be published in August in the Economic Parameters Guidelines.
Next steps
Soon, the Aw will inform software suppliers about the process for software testing. This testing will assess the uniformity of calculation models among different software suppliers. The definitive approval of the handbook by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, through amendments to the Rtiv, is expected to take place by the end of October 2026.