In the Netherlands, rental properties are categorized based on their "liberalization threshold." Your rights vary significantly depending on which category your home falls into.
Social Housing (Regulated)
If your initial rent was below the liberalization limit (approx €812 in 2023, €879 in 2024), you are in the social sector. Your rent increases are capped annually, and you have maximum protection under the WWS.
The New Mid-Segment
As of 2024/2025, the government has introduced a mid-segment. Properties with points between 144 and 186 are now also regulated. This protects a huge number of middle-income earners from predatory pricing.
Free Market (Liberalized)
Only properties with 187 points or more are truly in the free market. For these, the landlord can theoretically charge whatever they want, but the points are still relevant when a new contract starts to see if the property should have been regulated.