Owners’ associations get extra help with maintenance and energy upgrades
A national helpline aims to help owners’ associations implement joint renovation decisions more quickly.
Owners’ associations are receiving extra support to combine major maintenance with energy upgrades. A national telephone helpline will advise boards, help with subsidy applications and support the preparation of joint projects.
Making blocks of flats more energy-efficient is more complicated than insulating an individual home. Roofs, façades and installations are jointly owned, while costs and preferences differ between owners. Decisions must also be taken within the association.
The helpline was set up by Milieu Centraal and complements the existing Subsidy Scheme for Sustainability Improvements for Owners’ Associations. Among other things, the scheme supports sustainability research, energy advice, insulation measures and charging infrastructure.
According to the Dutch government, more than 63,000 homes in owners’ associations had been made more energy-efficient with support from the scheme. In total, more than €104 million in subsidies had been provided. That represents part of the housing stock within owners’ associations: the government cites approximately 144,000 owners’ associations and 4.5 per cent of homes in such associations.
Owners’ associations can use subsidies for roof, façade and floor insulation, HR++ glazing, a sustainable multi-year maintenance plan and sustainable heating, among other things. For major maintenance, an owners’ association must also set aside money in a reserve fund, based on a multi-year maintenance plan or at least 0.5 per cent of the rebuilding value.
Combining maintenance and energy upgrades can be practically advantageous. If a roof is being replaced anyway, insulation can be included in the same project. This means residents do not later have to put up scaffolding again, hire contractors and organise decision-making. The drawback is that a major joint project often requires high contributions and lengthy preparation.
The extra help will not automatically solve these financial and administrative problems. A helpline can provide information and process guidance, but cannot determine which investment is best for a specific building. The decision also remains dependent on the VvE members and on the subsidies and loans available.
The measure shows that the energy transition is not only about technology. In blocks of flats, ownership structures, decision-making and maintenance planning are at least as decisive for the pace at which homes become more energy-efficient.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Owners’ associations can receive subsidies for research, advice, insulation, heating and charging infrastructure.
- Decisions about the shared parts of a building must be taken within the owners’ association.
- The Dutch government reports that more than 63,000 homes in owners’ associations have been made more energy-efficient with support from the scheme.
- Owners’ associations must set aside money for major maintenance.
Left
Arguments The energy transition must not depend on the financial position of individual flat owners. Public subsidies and cheap loans should primarily help residents who would otherwise be unable to afford the investment.
Values Affordability, climate justice and protection for tenants and people on low incomes.
Consequences More public funding and stricter energy-performance requirements can be justified.
Centre
Arguments Joint sustainability improvements only work with clear rules, good information and voluntary decision-making that is legally sound. Combining maintenance with energy savings is efficient if the costs are distributed fairly.
Values Practical feasibility, legal certainty and cost-effectiveness.
Consequences Process guidance and phased subsidies can help owners’ associations without placing all the costs on the government.
Right
Arguments Owners’ associations and homeowners should in principle decide for themselves when to invest. The government can provide information and temporary support, but should prevent rules and subsidies from unnecessarily increasing housing costs.
Values Property ownership, freedom of choice and limited government intervention.
Consequences Emphasis on voluntary measures, loans and market innovation rather than broad obligations.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The helpline, subsidy scheme, figures and maintenance rules can be found in publicly available government sources. The text makes clear that the figures relate to an earlier measurement date and are not a current daily position.
- confirmed Milieu Centraal has launched a national telephone helpline for owners’ associations. — Mentioned in the Dutch government report of 18 March 2026. source
- confirmed More than 63,000 homes in owners’ associations had been made more energy-efficient through the SVVE, and more than €104 million in subsidies had been provided. — Figures from the same Dutch government report. source
- confirmed An owners’ association must reserve at least 0.5 per cent of the rebuilding value for major maintenance if there is no multi-year maintenance plan. — Explained on the Dutch government’s information page. source
- incorrect The helpline determines which renovation is best for each building. — The helpline provides information and advice; the owners’ association remains responsible for its own decision. source
Editor's note
The national helpline and the subsidy data are based on a Dutch government report. The figures relate to the position in March 2026; no newer national figure was found.Sources
- Meer aanvragen subsidieregeling verduurzaming vve’s — Rijksoverheid
- Kan ik subsidie krijgen voor het isoleren van mijn huis? — Rijksoverheid
- Hoeveel geld moeten VvE’s reserveren voor groot onderhoud? — Rijksoverheid
- NHG-borg voor kleine VvE’s — Nationaal Warmtefonds/NHG