Rent-increase letters arrive on different schedules depending on the sector, and the ceilings that apply to them changed again for 2026. Tenants comparing notes with neighbours or colleagues often discover that a percentage which is entirely lawful for one household is not lawful for another.
Three different ceilings apply depending on sector, and they don't even run on the same calendar. - Sociale huur: capped at 4.1% from 1 July 2026 — until then, 2025's 5% cap still applies, because the social sector's increase cycle resets in July, not January - Middenhuur (144–186 WWS points, regulated since the Wet betaalbare huur): capped at 6.1% from 1 January 2026, tied to CAO wage growth plus 1% - Vrije sector (187+ points): capped at 4.4% from 1 January 2026, tied to inflation plus 1% Anything above these needs a specific legal basis, like renovation, and even an increase within the cap has to come with proper written notice — a text message saying "rent's going up next month" doesn't count, and you can refuse an increase that skips the paperwork.