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Unprecedented: Dutch cabinet wants to introduce rent control in the free sector

Christine Stein Hededam 🇩🇰
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Unprecedented: Dutch cabinet wants to introduce rent control in the free sector

Think the costs of living in the Netherlands are high? Well, with the current (crazy!) inflation it’s not just your energy bills that are increasing. A serious surge in rents is threatening the Dutch free sector.

According to current regulations, rents are allowed to increase with inflation plus 1%. The Dutch housing association Woonbond wants to see that rule changed as tenants in the free sector are otherwise facing serious financial losses, writes RTL Nieuws.

Thankfully, the Dutch cabinet is in favour of amending the current rent regulations. So, what’s on the table?

Last year’s law, this year’s problem

In 2021, the Dutch government passed a law saying that rent increases in the free sector could not exceed the previous year’s inflation plus 1%. The idea was to protect tenants from outrageous price jumps.

But does anything ever work out as planned?

Not when it comes to the Dutch housing market it seems. 🙃 With the current inflation, tenants may need to seriously reconsider their budget when facing their 2023 rent payments.

The harsh reality? Depending on your current rent, you could be paying hundreds of euros more per month next year.

The Woonbond takes action

Yesterday, the Woonbond (who represents the interests of renters in the Netherlands) sent a letter to the House of Representatives asking the Dutch government to reconsider the law — and preferably fast.

“Continuing with the current rental policy in 2023 is not an option. This will get tenants into trouble. A rent freeze is a good step to help tenants and gives them time to think about future rental policy,” says the Woonbond.

The association suggests cutting the ties between rent increases and inflation. Instead, they propose linking rent increases to the average increase in wages. 📈

The Dutch cabinet supports an amendment

Yesterday, the Ministry of Interior announced that they’re working on amending the law. The new system would essentially work the same as in the social sector: allowing Hugo de Jonge (Minister for Housing and Spatial Planning) to determine the maximum rent increase every year.

“The maximum rent increase for the free sector should be less influenced by inflation. The bill to regulate this went into internet consultation today. In this way, excessive rent increases are prevented and rents remain more affordable.”

What do you think of the suggested amendment? Tell us in the comments below!

Ukrainian circus bear finds a new home in the Netherlands

Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
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Ukrainian circus bear finds a new home in the Netherlands

Ouwehands Zoo in Rhenen, the Netherlands recently rescued and adopted a brown circus bear from Ukraine. 🐻

24-year-old Kiriusha lived in “appalling” conditions for more than 18 years. The living situation deteriorated even more after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, says RTL Nieuws.

Special evacuation

The Dutch initiative Bears in Mind evacuated the brown bear from a small concrete mesh cage at a hotel resort in Ukraine. The owner is fighting on the front and hasn’t been able to take care of Kiriusha in weeks. 😔

Paired with the lack of food, many owners leave their animals behind due to the war, says Ingrid Vermeulen, director of the organisation.

Warm welcome in the Netherlands

Kiriusha is in quarantine in the Netherlands, but you can soon see her at the Ouwehands Zoo.

This isn’t the first time Bears in Mind evacuated a bear from Ukraine — the foundation already rescued two other bears in October. The organisation is also involved in more bear rescues throughout the country. ⛑

READ MORE | Here’s how you can help Ukraine from the Netherlands

Meanwhile, the Dutch organisation Help for Animals from Ukraine is also working to rescue other animals.

What do you think of this bear-y unique rescue mission? Tell us in the comments!

Big screens in Amsterdam will soon warn tourists about street dealers

Lea Shamaa 🇺🇸🇱🇧
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Big screens in Amsterdam will soon warn tourists about street dealers

A new Amsterdam campaign is planning on installing large LCD screens in the Red Light District to warn tourists and ‘day trippers’ about street dealers, according to the NOS. ☘️

The city of Amsterdam aims to reduce the number of street dealers, especially around the centre and the Red Light District due to the areas’ popularity with tourists. 

With the Dutch illegal cannabis market being estimated at €4,8 billion per year, it’s no wonder that they’re going to start regulating it. 🤯

Why is this happening? 

The mayor of Amsterdam — Femke Halsema — explains that many tourists come to Amsterdam specifically to visit coffee shops, which are mainly in the centre of the city. 

Halsema also mentions how these ‘soft drug tourists’ cause a lot of nuisance which makes them easy to spot and target by street dealers. 

There are thousands of active street dealers who haven’t been caught by the police yet, says Halsema. Maybe having large screens scattered around the city centre could give them a little scare? 🤪

Will soft drug tourism end in Amsterdam? 

The city mayor wants to make the sale of soft drugs to tourists in Amsterdam practically impossible in order to better regulate the cannabis market. 💶

These measures can potentially reduce the number of tourists in the city but Halsema finds that the regulation of the cannabis market can be simplified by banning sales to tourists. 

Of course, the coffee shop industry is quite against these measures. They explain that regulations will only cause street dealing to escalate. 🤷🏻‍♀️

What do you think about Amsterdam’s measures against street dealers? Tell us in the comments below! 

Spring is in the air: warm weather and sunny skies grace the Netherlands

Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
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Spring is in the air: warm weather and sunny skies grace the Netherlands

Despite last week’s weather shenanigans, the Netherlands will have lovely springtime temperatures and bright skies today.

Never mind the return of the Sahara dust or literal SNOW in April. Today, the weather will most likely stay dry the whole day and we can expect a gradual evening cool down in temperatures, according to RTL Nieuws. ☀️

Slightly warmer than usual

As high as 22 degrees Celsius in the southeast of the country, today’s weather is slightly warmer than usual for this time of year. Not that we’re complaining, of course.

Temperatures will reach 18 degrees Celsius in the northwest. The Wadden Islands will be relatively cool at temperatures around 16 degrees Celsius (it’s the wind 🤷‍♀️).

Groningen and the centre of the Netherlands will be as warm as 20 and 21 degrees Celsius. Lekker hé? 😌

Comfortable weather…for now

At the moment, it is quite sunny but a thin veil of clouds from time to time. It will be slightly gusty from the southeast, with a wind force of three to four.

The weather forecast for the remainder of the week also looks promising — low chances of rain, lots of sun, and temperatures in the high teens!

But the Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute (KNMI) says the chances of rain will increase by 40% and the temperature forecasts are uncertain after Easter. 🐣

Until then, we can hope the weather stays nice and that we’ll get spring in full swing. 😉

How will you be spending this lovely spring day? Tell us in the comments below!

Dutch organisation ‘Help for Animals from Ukraine’ is saving furry lives

Kathryn van den Berg
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Dutch organisation ‘Help for Animals from Ukraine’ is saving furry lives

An outreach initiative called Help for Animals from Ukraine was launched by animal organisations around the Netherlands that teamed up to provide aid for Ukrainian pets. 🐶

These pets have owners who are unable to care for them at present, need help keeping up to date with their vaccines or simply need safe refuge from the traumatic situation from which they have fled.

What is Help for Animals from Ukraine?

The unconscionable war that continues to ravage Ukraine is an unprecedented disaster resulting in a refugee crisis. Anyone who has a pet knows how instrumental they are as a part of the family, and the toll it takes to leave a pet behind is unimaginable.

Photo-of-stray-cat-Netherlands
Many Ukrainian refugees had to make the hard decision. Image: Unsplash

This organisation was founded in order to provide aid to the Ukrainian people who fled their homes with their furry family members. It was formed by various aid organisations coming together.

READ MORE | Here’s how you can help Ukraine from the Netherlands

The organisation also acts as a haven for pets who have fled the conflict or have been abandoned. Volunteers and members care for the animals by providing food, shelter, supplies and medical attention.

How does this organisation provide aid?

‘Help for Animals from Ukraine’ is not only caring for the traumatised and confused pets by providing shelter and food but is also offering free vaccinations and chips for the pets. This is because the Ukrainian standards for pets are not as strict as they are in the Netherlands.

READ MORE | Getting a pet in the Netherlands: the ultimate guide

It is not yet clear who is paying for the vaccinations, however. The organisation’s main concern, besides caring for displaced pets, is to prevent the recurrence of rabies in the country.

Photo-of-dog-on-lead
Image: Unsplash https://unsplash.com/photos/qEYvWrGHScI

Although the government temporarily relaxed the rules for animals coming into the Netherlands from Ukraine at the onset nearly six weeks ago, Ukrainians who register at the site will be helped free of charge. Still, the pets must be vaccinated and chipped.

Besides financially, how can I help?

If you have donated and want to do more, or if you want to help in ways other than financially, this organisation allows you to temporarily accommodate a family with an animal as a host family.

If you have animal feed, spare blankets, transport baskets or toys, they will be much loved and appreciated by the animals at the organisation. Volunteering at the centre is also high on the requirements in every capacity.

If you would like to know more about volunteering or hosting pets, please visit the ‘Help for animals from Ukraine’ website for more information.

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Test yourself, we’ll check the poop: Dutch adopt a new approach to coronavirus

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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Test yourself, we’ll check the poop: Dutch adopt a new approach to coronavirus

Rolled out of bed this morning feeling a bit… off? Decided to take a test and BAM, two lines? Well, we have news for you. As of today, you do not need to get the GGD involved.

Instead, the Dutch government is trusting you to do the right thing: isolate yourself for five days, and once your symptoms are gone, simply let yourself out.

But how will they keep track of coronavirus in the Netherlands? Well, one answer is poep.

Less testing of people, more testing of sewage

Yep, you read that right. 💩

While it will still be possible to get tested by the GGD in certain cases — for example, if you need proof of recovery from coronavirus or if you are a healthcare worker — most people will be testing themselves from now on, reports RTL Nieuws.

Instead of testing the population of the Netherlands, the Dutch government has decided to test, well, the poop of the Netherlands.

By monitoring sewage water, as well as the number of hospitalisations in the country, the hope is that the government will be able to stay on top of the coronavirus situation. 💪

A decline in testing and no more numbers

For the past two years now, the National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM) has been tracking and releasing the daily and weekly numbers of coronavirus cases in the Netherlands.

However, as of Saturday, the RIVM has decided to not report these numbers on the weekends or during public holidays — a hopeful step.

And also a practical step. The number of GGD tests being carried out in the Netherlands at the moment is decreasing rapidly. As of last week, the number of tests dropped by a third compared to the week before. 👀

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Free travel pass for thousands of young Europeans

Jana Vondráčková 🇨🇿
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1
Free travel pass for thousands of young Europeans

A whopping 35,000 lucky 18-year-old Europeans will get the chance to travel around Europe with a free travel pass. 🚂

Individuals born between July 1, 2003, and June 30, 2004, can apply for their free pass until Thursday, April 21 at 12 PM.

The application procedure

Aside from the age requirement, applicants must be citizens or long-term residents of one of the 27 EU member states or their overseas territories, or one of the non-EU countries associated with the programme.

It won’t be as easy as just filling in personal details though. 😉 Applicants will also have to answer a total of five multiple-choice questions about the EU and its initiatives targeting young people. Quiz time! 🤓

Free travel — and more discounts

The lucky ones who get selected will then be able to travel for up to 30 days between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.

On top of free train travel, the pass recipients will receive a discount card that can be used on accommodation, culture, and food. 😍

Helping young people discover Europe

The passes are part of the European Commission’s DiscoverEU initiative, which aims to encourage young Europeans to travel, “discover new places, and make life-lasting encounters,” according to the Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel.

The whole thing launched in the summer of 2018 and since then, over 860,000 candidates have applied for 130,000 available passes.

For this year, the EU is planning two application rounds. The second one, in which another 35,000 passes will be made available, is expected to start in October.

What do you think of this initiative? Will you be applying? Let us know in the comments!

Guess who’s back? Sahara dust is returning to the Netherlands

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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Guess who’s back? Sahara dust is returning to the Netherlands

If we asked you to name what you expect to fall out of the sky this week in the Netherlands, you would be completely valid in saying hail, sleet, or snow — but you would also be very wrong.

Think the exact opposite to snow, think Sahara dust. ☀️

Not just dust

While the hail, sleet, and rain of the last week certainly dampened our moods (as well as our coats), the Sahara dust means that we can at least look forward to some warmer weather.

Woooshing across the European mainland from the Sahara desert, these dust particles are going to bring some pretty warm wind currents with them.

In fact, according to RTL Nieuws, temperatures are set to rise to up to 21 degrees on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. 😎

What can we expect?

The Sahara dust is expected to be at its highest concentration on Tuesday evening and Wednesday night — but even then, you don’t have to worry about crunchy sandwiches or grainy glasses of beer. 🍺

According to Reinier van den Berg of Buienradar, the Sahara dust will be quite high in the sky on Tuesday, meaning that we may not notice it at all. Yep, no apocalyptic-looking orange skies, the most we may get is a slightly paler shade of blue.

If it rains on Wednesday however — please no — you can expect to find a bit of dust on your cars and windows.

But who cares? We’ll be hitting the terraces for some much-needed vitamin D. 💪

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Don’t spice up your life: these Dutch herb mixes may contain salmonella 

Lea Shamaa 🇺🇸🇱🇧
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2
Don’t spice up your life: these Dutch herb mixes may contain salmonella 

Do you enjoy cooking dishes with a ton of seasoning and flavours? We don’t mean to rain on your parade, but some of those spices may contain salmonella. 😵‍💫

The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit) has alerted Dutch supermarkets that certain products containing lemongrass from Verstegen B.V may contain the harmful bacteria, RTL Nieuws reports. 

These products include herb mixes, spice packages, and seasoned bacon. So, if you were planning on enjoying some classic Dutch pannenkoeken met spek (pancakes with bacon), maybe now is not the time. 🤔

Which products exactly are we talking about? 

We don’t expect you to read through the ingredients list of every single spice bottle in your kitchen cabinets. Here’s an overview of all the products recently flagged as potentially having salmonella: 

StoreProductBest before date
Albert HeijnVerstegen spice mix nasi noodles goreng31-12-2024
Albert HeijnVerstegen spice mix satay12-31-2024 and 06-30-2025
Albert HeijnVerstegen Original java blend for fried rice/bami06-30-2026 and 12-12-2024
PlusSpeklapje Indonesia 280 grams9-4-2022, 13-4-2022 and 16-4-2022
Albert HeijnVerstegen Spreader lemongrass12-23-2024 and 01-24-2025
Albert HeijnAH Tandoori minute play     17-04-2022

If you see something that you recently checked out at the supermarket, no worries! According to RTL Nieuws, you can actually refund any of these products. 🥳

Not the only issue

This isn’t the first time this has happened. Recently, there’s been a growing concern over bacteria found in food items. 🦠 For instance, E.coli in cheese from the Albert Heijn and listeria in hummus products from the brand Maza. 

Have you ever had any bad experiences with any store-bought items? Tell us below in the comments!

The average Dutch person pays €2 to Russia every day, study finds

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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The average Dutch person pays €2 to Russia every day, study finds

Ever since Russia invaded Ukraine, the Netherlands has openly stated its support for Ukrainians. However, in spite of calling for sanctions and seizing Russian property, the Netherlands is still filling the coffers of Russia.

And quite significantly at that. According to a study by Kalavasta, each Dutchie pays an average of €2 to Russia every single day, the NOS reports.

What? How?

Of course, it’s not as if everyone in the country reaches into their back pocket, grabs a €2 coin, and happily hands it over to Putin himself.

This amount comes from the money that the average person would pay for everyday products that are produced using Russian gas, such as fertilizer and tomatoes. 🍅

Millions every day

The study also gave an estimate of what the average family would send to Russia each month. For example, a family of three would send an average of €180 into the country’s coffers every month.

If that amount doesn’t faze you, the study also worked out how much the Netherlands currently sends to Russia every day — a whopping €30 million. 😳

This confronting plea demonstrates the damage that can be done by supporting Russian gas.

Their own initiative

Kalavasta usually works on behalf of ministries, environmental agencies, and large companies. They advocate for climate-neutral strategies — but this time, they turned their research toward Russia.

Speaking to the NOS, the director of the agency, John Kerkhoven, explained that the agency wanted to do whatever it could to help during this time of crisis.

READ MORE | Here’s how you can help Ukraine from the Netherlands

“We don’t make anti-tank weapons but calculation models, so we made a calculation model for this as well.” And it’s safe to say, the study’s findings may very well rattle some foundations. 💪

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