Municipalities should make house-sharing easier, says LSVb

Renting a room above a shop or café? The National Student Union wants to make it easier. “Some municipalities go too far with regulations”, says chair Maaike Krom.

Due to higher taxes and stricter rules, student rooms are being put up for sale en masse. At present there is a shortage of more than 20 thousand rooms, and this is expected to increase further in the coming years.

The municipal elections have just taken place and parties are negotiating a new coalition. The housing shortage is an important topic. The National Student Union has conducted research into fifteen student cities to help out. “We have looked into everything and set it all out clearly, parties are free to use this”, says LSVb chair Maaike Krom.

Going too far with regulations

According to the LSVb, strict rules are holding back house-sharing. “Some municipalities go too far with regulations, meaning no new rooms are being added”, says Krom. For example, you cannot simply start a student house; this is only allowed if the landlord has a permit.

The student union recommends a number of relaxations. Municipalities could, for example, make it easier to rent out living spaces above hospitality venues and shops to students; families are less keen to live here anyway, and this could prevent vacancies.

Group of three

In addition, the LSVb wants it to be easier for a small group of students to rent a house together. In municipalities such as Utrecht and Arnhem, the rules have already been adjusted and three students are allowed to live together without the landlord needing a permit, but in many other cities this is limited to a maximum of two.

The House of Representatives also sees opportunities and wants to investigate whether the Utrecht rules can be introduced nationwide. A motion on this by D66 MP Robin van Leijen was unanimously adopted earlier this month.