Rent indexation commercial space: calculating rent increase with the CBS index

How does rent indexation work for commercial space?

Indexation adjusts the rent annually for inflation, so that the rent maintains its purchasing power. The landlord does not need to ask the tenant for permission: the agreement is already in the contract.

Almost every lease agreement for commercial space contains an indexation clause. In the models of the Real Estate Council (ROZ), which are most commonly used in the Netherlands, this is included in the general provisions. These establish which index applies, on which date the rent is adjusted and how the calculation works.

• Index: usually the CPI, series for all households, as published monthly by Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
• Moment: annually on the date mentioned in the contract, often the commencement date of the lease or 1 January.
• Direction: with a falling index, the rent can theoretically also go down, unless the contract excludes this.
• Missed it? A landlord can still implement a forgotten indexation within the limitation period according to the ROZ conditions.

The formula and a calculation example

New rent = current rent × (index figure 4 months before the indexation date ÷ index figure 16 months before the indexation date).

Suppose: the rent is €48,000 per year and is indexed on 1 January 2026. Then you compare the CPI figure for September 2025 with that of September 2024. If the figure for September 2025 is 3% higher, the new rent becomes €48,000 × 1.03 = €49,440 per year.

Where do you find the correct CBS figures?

The CBS publishes the CPI monthly on StatLine and offers its own calculation tool for indexations. Always use the same series and the same base year as in your contract.

If you search for ‘cbs indexering 2026’ or ‘cbs huurverhoging berekenen’, you will end up at the CBS page ‘Calculate price index figures’. There you choose the series (usually CPI all households), the two months and the amount. Note: if your old contract mentions an older base year, you must convert or use the linking factor provided by the CBS.

Rent increase on top of indexation: rent review

Indexation is different from a rent increase to market rent. If you as a landlord want to bring the rent to market level, the rules for rent review from the Civil Code apply.

• Retail and hospitality space (Art. 7:290 BW): rent adjustment via Art. 7:303 BW based on comparable properties, no more than once every five years.
• Other commercial space such as offices and halls (art. 7:230a Dutch Civil Code): no statutory right of revision; only what is in the contract or with a new contract.
• Residential space falls under its own regime with statutory maximums; this does not apply to business premises.

What does indexation do to the value of your property?

Buyers calculate with the rental stream. A correctly indexed rent therefore directly increases the value; an indexation forgotten for years depresses it.

At a gross initial yield of 8%, every €1,000 of extra annual rent yields approximately €12,500 more sale value. If you are considering selling, ensure that indexations have been implemented and confirmed in writing to the tenant. We purchase let properties with tenants directly and calculate with the current, indexed rent.