FlexiHuur
Matthew Richardson
Mission
FlexiHuur's mission is to make homeownership accessible through a fair and transparent pathway. Our purpose is to allow clients to rent smarter and buy sooner.
The challenge
The Netherlands is grappling with a multifaceted housing crisis characterized by declining homeownership rates, escalating housing costs, and a significant rental property shortage. Homeownership rates decreased from 70.6% in 2022 to 69.3% in 2023, while residents allocated an average of 23% of their disposable income to housing in 2022, surpassing the European average of 20%. To mitigate soaring rents, the Dutch government introduced the Affordable Rent Act in July 2024, extending rent controls to approximately 90% of rental properties by employing a points-based system to cap prices. However, this intervention has inadvertently exacerbated the rental property shortage, as landlords, facing reduced rental income, are less inclined to offer properties for rent, thereby increasing the housing shortage. Simultaneously, potential homeowners, particularly younger buyers, encounter tightened mortgage lending criteria, necessitating higher down payments and stringent credit evaluations. This financial barrier has led many to rely on parental support, a solution increasingly unfeasible as the older generation faces its own economic challenges. Without effective intervention, these intertwined issues risk creating a "lost generation" unable to transition from renting to owning, and creating an inheritocracy as other Western countries have experienced from the turn of the century. The government has a vested interest to address the housing crisis to achieve long-term financial stability for future generations in their later stages of life and to prevent worsening socioeconomic disparities.
The solution
FlexiHuur offers a unique housing solution designed to help clients build long-term financial security. By providing a structured pathway, FlexiHuur helps stabilize housing costs, shielding clients from market fluctuations. This model supports individuals in securing future financial stability, ensuring that they are not left behind in the pursuit of homeownership.