Half of Dutch Rental Agents Willing to Discriminate Against Foreign Tenants
Government-commissioned study reveals widespread bias against Moroccan, Turkish, and Polish housing applicants.
1Widespread Rental Bias Identified
A government-commissioned study by the Verwey-Jonker Institute reveals that nearly half of contacted rental agents are willing to discriminate against foreign tenants. Researchers utilized actors posing as landlords to request the exclusion of Moroccan, Turkish, or Polish applicants. Out of 200 agents, 97 explicitly agreed to these discriminatory requests.
2Agent Compliance and Refusal Rates
The investigation found that only 20% of rental agents outright refused to comply with requests to exclude foreigners. An additional 30% did not reject the discriminatory premise, often deferring the decision to the property owner. This indicates a significant lack of proactive enforcement regarding anti-discrimination policies within the rental market.
3The Expat Exception Mechanism
Agents frequently distinguished between general foreigners and expats, labeling the latter as highly educated, well-paid, and reliable. Some agents suggested that expats are preferable because they typically leave after a short period. This perception is being used as a strategic workaround to navigate the 2024 ban on most temporary leases.
4Explicit Admission of Bias
During the test calls, some agents openly acknowledged that while discrimination is officially prohibited, they would facilitate the exclusion of specific nationalities. One agent assured a caller that they would not present candidates from certain countries. This highlights a clear gap between legal requirements and the actual practices of agents.
5Data on Name-Based Discrimination
Separate testing on 1,662 rental listings on the platform Pararius between December and May confirmed systemic bias. Applicants with Moroccan-sounding names received fewer viewing invitations compared to identical applicants with Dutch-sounding names. This disparity occurred in 14% of cases for men and 16% for women during the observed period.
6Shifting Trends in Housing Bias
The current findings contrast sharply with last year’s monitor, which reported no significant discrimination against any specific group. While the latest study identified clear bias against Moroccan-sounding names, it found no evidence of discrimination against Polish-sounding names or same-sex couples. These results were formally submitted to Dutch MPs on Wednesday.
7Regulatory and Market Implications
The study underscores the persistent challenges in enforcing fair housing laws within the private rental sector. Despite existing legal frameworks intended to prevent discrimination, the willingness of agents to bypass these rules remains high. This behavior directly impacts the accessibility of housing for minority groups and foreign residents in the Netherlands.
8Future Policy Considerations
The submission of these findings to parliament signals a potential push for stricter oversight of rental agencies. Policymakers must now address how to bridge the gap between anti-discrimination legislation and the operational realities of the housing market. Future monitoring will likely focus on whether these systemic biases lead to legislative changes.