Almost 12,000 people who live in housing owned by one of the Netherlands’ housing corporations actually own or part-own property of their own, according to research by government economic think tank CPB.

Some of them (1,193) own more than one property, which they rent out themselves, raising questions about the wrongful use of scarce social housing, the CPB said on Tuesday. In total, 33 tenants have more than 10 houses.

A small proportion – around one in six cases – involves people who are owners or part-owners of property through divorce or inheritance. But in five in six cases, the social housing tenant is a landlord by choice.

By law, housing corporations are tasked with providing housing for people who cannot take care of their needs without help.

Tens of thousands of people are on waiting lists for social housing which can run up to over 15 years in cities like Amsterdam. Social housing costs less than €933 a month and tenants face income and asset checks to qualify.

In total, some 10,000 households are abusing the system and own property they could live in, the CPB said. They are also more likely to earn too much to qualify for social housing and to live in good neighbourhoods with attractive homes, the CPB said.