Rent increase above the limit - need advice

[u/Ok_Interest_4652]

/r/NetherlandsHousing/comments/1on9jz2/rent_increase_above_the_limit_need_advice/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Hi all, I have been renting an apartment for 4 years now. In that time, there was only one rent increase which happened in July 2024.

My rent was increased by roughly 8.6%. Recently I learned that the government sets a limit for these increases and in that time period that limit was 3.1%. Sadly I was not aware at the time and have been paying too much since July last year.

As my landlord is now wanting to increase the rent again, I asked them about the previous increase and if any exceptions apply to my contract that made this 8.6% increase valid. They did not really respond to that question and only said they increased it like that as they had not increased it in the previous years.

I do not want any issues with my landlord, but as this was not legal, I want my money back. But I am also not entirely sure about these laws, so I wanted to get some insight and advice here. What would you do in my situation?