Energielabel (Energy Label)
Understanding the Dutch rental term "Energielabel" and what it means for tenants in the Netherlands.
Definition
An official rating from A++++ (most efficient) to G (least efficient) that indicates a property's energy performance. Since 2015 a registered energielabel is mandatory when selling or renting out a property. The label significantly affects the property's score in the puntensysteem and therefore its maximum allowable rent.
When You'll Encounter This
You will see the energielabel mentioned in property listings and in the puntensysteem calculation. A better label means a potentially higher maximum rent but also lower energy bills for you as a tenant.
Example
Two identical apartments differ only in their energielabel: one has label A and the other label D. The apartment with label A scores more points in the puntensysteem and has a higher maximum rent, but you also pay significantly less in monthly energy costs.
Practical Tip
You can look up any property's energielabel for free at energielabel.nl. A property with a poor energy label (E, F, or G) will cost more to heat — factor this into your total housing budget alongside the rent.
Related Terms
The official Woningwaarderingsstelsel (Housing Valuation System) that assigns points to a rental property based on characteristics such as surface area, number of rooms, energy label, WOZ-waarde, outdoor space, and facilities.
The official valuation of a property determined annually by the municipality under the Wet Waardering Onroerende Zaken (WOZ).
A free tool provided by the Huurcommissie that lets tenants calculate the maximum allowable rent for their property based on the points system.
Find Your Next Rental Property in the Netherlands
Stop wasting hours searching rental websites. Get real-time notifications the moment new properties are listed.
Free forever · No credit card required