Homeowners lobby group Vereniging Eigen Huis expects fewer protests about official house valuations this year because the rises are far more modest than in 2023.

The WOZ value, based on the official valuation of a property in January last year, was the subject of 675,000 protests in 2023, after an average WOZ rise of 17%.

The WOZ value is used to calculate local authority and waste disposal taxes, the eigenwoningforfait – an extra tax for homeowners – and in the points system to determine maximum social housing rents.

Dozens of small commercial bureaus also sprang up to help homeowners complain to the council on a no cure no pay basis. 

This year, however, the average rise is 2.8% although there are widespread variations. “People were shocked by the 17% increase last year. A lower percentage feels better,” VEH spokesman Hans André de la Porte told broadcaster NOS.

Although house prices fell in the second half of 2022, they rose sharply in the first half and were, therefore, higher in January 2023 than January 2022, hence the increase. 

The government has also brought in new restrictions on payments. Last year if a bureau won a case, they would be paid hundreds of euros from council coffers in compensation for the costs. Now the amount has been slashed by 75% and is being paid directly to homeowners.

“It was easy money for the bureaus but it was taxpayers money, said André de la Porte. “In most cases, it is easy to do the paperwork yourself.” 

The valuations are sent to homeowners in the first eight weeks of the year and they then have six weeks to protest. 

The Waarderingskamer, which collects and monitors WOZ valuations, has extensive information about how the system works and how to protest if you think the figure is wrong.