Changes to The Hague Housing Regulation: apartment splitting and lodger rental

As of 1 April 2026, the following changes to the Housing Regulation of The Hague will apply.

Apartment splitting

Before 1 April 2026, the creation of additional dwellings by splitting an existing dwelling into two or more self-contained units was not granted in the areas designated in Annex III of the Housing Regulation. This concerned virtually the entire city of The Hague. As of 1 April 2026, Annex III has been repealed. The possibilities for creating additional dwellings by splitting have been broadened, with, among others, the following permit conditions:

• The dwelling may not be located in an area that did not score good or excellent in the two most recent measurements of the Leefbaarometer (Liveability Monitor).
• The dwelling may not be located in an area where, according to the most recent figures from “Den Haag in Cijfers”, parking pressure exceeds 90%.
• The newly created dwellings must have a minimum floor area of 35 m2 (was 40 m2).
• Sound transmission between the dwelling unit and surrounding units must meet certain standards.
• It may not concern the legalization of an existing situation involving structural nuisance.
• It may not concern a situation as referred to in Article 3 of the Wet Bibob (Public Administration Probity Screening Act).

Lodger rental (hospita-verhuur)

Before 1 April 2026, a lodger landlord (hospita) was only allowed to rent out one room to one person. Renting out two or more rooms required a permit. As of 1 April 2026, the possibilities for lodger rental in The Hague have been expanded, subject to the following conditions:

• Lodger rental without a permit is allowed for renting to a maximum of one other household (which may be a couple or even a family) or to a maximum of two single-person households.
• No more than eight persons may live in the dwelling in total (including the hospita’s household).
• Each household must have its own bedroom in the dwelling.
• There must not be a pre-existing intention on the part of the hospita to share the dwelling; the hospita must have occupied the dwelling for at least one year in the same composition without the cohabiting households.
• The hospita is the owner of the dwelling, or rents it from a housing association and has permission for lodger rental.
• Each resident has at least 12 m2 at his/her disposal.
• The lodger rental must be reported to the Municipal Executive (B&W) of The Hague via an electronic form made available for that purpose.

In addition to these changes, as of 1 April 2026, the rules for converting self-contained units into non-self-contained rooms (room-by-room letting) have also been relaxed.

More information

Would you like advice on how your project fits within The Hague Housing Regulation, or are you encountering problems? The real estate lawyers at GMW will be happy to assist you. Please feel free to contact us.