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Direct Wonen loses its license to operate in Amsterdam

The license of The Netherlands’ biggest housing agency Direct Wonen has been revoked. This means that the agency can no more operate in Amsterdam on the charge of ‘consistently breaking city council rules’. In particular, Direct Wonen is accused of letting out rent controlled properties at far above the permitted rent levels. Direct Wonen has been listed on the London AIM market since May 2007.

City council housing boss Hans Gerson charged Wonen saying, ‘Cheap accommodation is scarce in this city and housing agencies have to abide by strict rules. Direct Wonen has been warned several times. Now we are taking action.’

House rents in the Netherlands are calculated according to a point system, with flats and houses awarded points for size, location, age, basic facilities and extras. All those valued at less than 121 points fall into the social housing sector and have a maximum rent of €548.