huurprijsafspraken

Huurprijsafspraken are afspraken over the level of rents charged for housing or commercial space. They can be made between landlords, property owners, housing associations, and sometimes tenants, and may be formal written covenants or informal understandings. In practice, such afspraken can cover standardizing rents across properties, regional patterns, or terms negotiated for a group of units.

In the Netherlands, price-setting in the rental market is generally governed by legal rules and market forces. Price-fixing and collusion between competitors are prohibited under the Dutch competition law (Mededingingswet) and enforced by the Autoriteit Consument en Markt (ACM). This means that formal or informal huurprijsafspraken aiming to fix, raise, or coordinate rents across landlords or properties can constitute an illegal cartel practice and may be subject to penalties.

Disputes about rents and pricing can be addressed through the Huurcommissie (Rental Committee) for residential properties, particularly when rent levels or changes fall under regulation or when tenants contest charges. In commercial rental disputes, different procedures may apply, depending on contract terms and applicable law. The existence of huurprijsafspraken does not automatically imply illegality; rather, legality depends on the effect on competition and compliance with applicable statutes.

See also: Huurcommissie, Mededingingswet, ACM, huurprijs, woningwaarderingsstelsel.