Wednesday 20 November 2019

'Mystery shoppers' to tackle discrimination in housing sector

'Mystery shoppers' to tackle discrimination in housing sector

Mystery guests posing as house buyers or prospective tenants are to be recruited in an attempt to stamp out discrimination in the housing market. Various studies have shown that discrimination is rife in the sector, but no records are kept of how many complaints are received. A recent study in Utrecht found that 90% of letting agents were prepared to allow landlords to discriminate against tenants because of their sexuality or ethnic background. Junior infrastructure minister Stientje van Veldhoven set... More >

Energy efficiency ups price of new homes

Energy efficiency ups price of new homes

New rules on energy efficiency which will come into force next summer will put up the cost of building a new home by between 11.5% and 16.5%, further pressuring the housing market, the Financieele Dagblad said on Wednesday. The claim is based on figures from data processing company BDB, which monitors construction costs. ‘This price rise does not include inflation and higher wages, and the impact will be strong,’ Maarten in ‘t Veld from civil engineering group Arcadis, which owns... More >

Higher mortgages for dual income couples

Higher mortgages for dual income couples

Family spending institute Nibud is recommending that double income households be allowed to borrow more for a mortgage than they currently are. At the moment, banks only take 70% of the second salary into account when assessing how much couples can borrow but this should be put up to 80% next year, Nibud says in a new report. Nibud is also recommending banks give buyers a higher mortgage if they opt for an extremely energy efficient property or pledge to... More >

Cost of a new home nears €400,000

Cost of a new home nears €400,000

The average price of a new home in the Netherlands has now almost hit €400,000, after rising 16% over the past year, the national statistics agency CBS said on Wednesday. The price of a newly-built home has been rising faster than existing properties for two years now, due in part to the cost of building land. The shortage of builders is also having an impact. The average cost of an older property went up 7.2% over the year to over... More >

Latest news

More Latest news >

Features

 More features >
How to cut your energy bills and save hundreds of euros a year
Despite internet, clubs and societies still have a key role for internationals
Weather warnings, bikes and waterproofs: your tips for newbies
Brexit muppet pointing to a 100km/h road sign
DutchNews podcast – The Vroem Vroem Debacle Edition – Week 46
Take the threat of radicalised pro-blackface Piets seriously
By Frankey: street art to make the city smile
Daily newsletter
SIGN UP