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July 2, 2025
Housing associations face the challenge of making social housing more sustainable while optimizing rental value within the framework of the Housing Valuation System (WWS). Increasing WWS points is essential to maximize rents, reduce energy costs for tenants, and comply with the Affordable Rent Act (July 2024). At Renewable Partners, we share our expertise in sustainability and WWS optimization through guest lectures at the Real Estate Management program at Fontys University of Applied Sciences, where students learn how they can help housing associations. In this blog, we offer five practical tips for increasing WWS points, based on our practical experience, such as our collaboration with MVGM in Rotterdam. These tips help housing associations prepare their portfolios for the future.
One of the most effective ways to increase WWS points is by improving the energy label of homes. An energy label A yields up to +43 points, while a label E or F causes a point deduction (-9 points). In our guest lectures at Fontys, we teach students how measures such as PV panels, facade insulation, and heat recovery ventilation improve energy labels.
Practical example: In our project with MVGM in Rotterdam, we transformed 40 homes from energy label E/F to A, which led to a point increase of +52 per home (including label and other improvements). This brought the homes above the liberalization threshold of 187 points, giving them private sector status.
Tip: Invest in insulation (Rc≥3.5) and solar panels (6-8x440WP) to achieve label A. Combine this with subsidies such as ISDE and SVOH to reduce costs.
The kitchen is an important factor in the WWS, with a maximum of +14 points for a luxury kitchen (countertop ≥2m, sufficient cupboard space). Many social housing properties have outdated kitchens, which limits the WWS score. In our Fontys guest lectures, we show students how a kitchen upgrade increases the rental value without major investments.
Practical example: For MVGM, we installed kitchens with longer countertops and extra cupboard space, which yielded +14 points per home. This was crucial in order to reach the free sector threshold.
Tip: Replace old kitchens with modern ones with at least 2 meters of counter space and sufficient storage space. This is a relatively affordable upgrade with a direct impact on WWS points.
Bathrooms offer opportunities for extra WWS points, with a maximum of +14 points (excluding sanitary facilities). Quality improvements such as thermostatic taps (+0.5 points), cupboard space (+0.75 points), and extra power outlets (+0.25 points) are cost-effective and efficient. We discuss this strategy in our Fontys lectures, where students learn how small adjustments can make a big difference.
Practical example: In our collaboration with Woonzorg in Utrecht, we added thermostatic taps and closet space to 100 social housing units, which yielded +1.25 points per unit and brought the rental value within the middle rental limit.
Tip: Add at least two quality improvements to bathrooms, such as faucets and electrical outlets, to maximize points without high costs.
The Affordable Rent Act (July 2024) requires accurate WWS point counts for new rental contracts and sets the median rent threshold (144-186 points, €900.07–€1,184.82 in 2025). Incorrect calculations can lead to rent reductions by the Rent Assessment Committee. In our Fontys guest lectures, we teach students how to make WWS-compliant plans, with accurate point counts and burden of proof.
Practical example: For Max Rentals in Rotterdam, we provided WWS reports that combined energy label improvements (E to A) and qualitative upgrades, enabling homes to achieve compliant mid-range rental status without legal risks.
Tip: Have an expert such as Renewable Partners draw up a WWS report, including supporting evidence (photos, invoices) for energy label registration, to ensure compliance.
Subsidies such as ISDE and SVOH make sustainability more affordable, which is crucial for housing associations with limited budgets. In our Fontys lectures, we teach students how to integrate subsidies into sustainability plans, using examples from our practice.
Practical example: In the MVGM project, we reduced the investment costs from €17,500 per home to €13,160 after subsidies, with an ROI of 18%. This made the transformation to private sector housing financially attractive.
Tip: Apply for ISDE (€1,500 for heat pumps) and SVOH (for insulation) through an advisor such as Renewable Partners to make investments profitable.
Increasing WWS points is a strategic step for housing associations to make their homes more sustainable, valuable, and compliant. With our expertise, shared in Fontys guest lectures and applied in projects in Rotterdam and Utrecht, Renewable Partners helps associations achieve these goals.
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The difference lies mainly in the degree of insulation and the proportion of sustainably generated energy. An A label can be achieved with good insulation and an efficient installation. For A+++, more is needed: a large proportion of the energy must be generated sustainably, for example with solar panels and a heat pump.
The energy label is determined based on the fossil energy consumption of the home, expressed in kWh/m² per year. For an A label, this value is between 105 and 160 kWh/m² per year. With good insulation, an A label is easily achievable. Homes built after 1991 often already have sufficient basic insulation to fall into this category. Solar panels are therefore not necessarily required to achieve an A label.
Practical experience – reliable energy expertise and results-oriented collaboration
Housing associations face the challenge of making social housing more sustainable while optimizing rental value within the framework of the Housing Valuation System (WWS). Increasing WWS points is essential to maximize rents, reduce energy costs for tenants, and comply with the Affordable Rent Act (July 2024). At Renewable Partners, we share our expertise in sustainability and WWS optimization through guest lectures at the Real Estate Management program at Fontys University of Applied Sciences, where students learn how they can help housing associations. In this blog, we offer five practical tips for increasing WWS points, based on our practical experience, such as our collaboration with MVGM in Rotterdam. These tips help housing associations prepare their portfolios for the future.
One of the most effective ways to increase WWS points is by improving the energy label of homes. An energy label A yields up to +43 points, while a label E or F causes a point deduction (-9 points). In our guest lectures at Fontys, we teach students how measures such as PV panels, facade insulation, and heat recovery ventilation improve energy labels.
Practical example: In our project with MVGM in Rotterdam, we transformed 40 homes from energy label E/F to A, which led to a point increase of +52 per home (including label and other improvements). This brought the homes above the liberalization threshold of 187 points, giving them private sector status.
Tip: Invest in insulation (Rc≥3.5) and solar panels (6-8x440WP) to achieve label A. Combine this with subsidies such as ISDE and SVOH to reduce costs.
The kitchen is an important factor in the WWS, with a maximum of +14 points for a luxury kitchen (countertop ≥2m, sufficient cupboard space). Many social housing properties have outdated kitchens, which limits the WWS score. In our Fontys guest lectures, we show students how a kitchen upgrade increases the rental value without major investments.
Practical example: For MVGM, we installed kitchens with longer countertops and extra cupboard space, which yielded +14 points per home. This was crucial in order to reach the free sector threshold.
Tip: Replace old kitchens with modern ones with at least 2 meters of counter space and sufficient storage space. This is a relatively affordable upgrade with a direct impact on WWS points.
Bathrooms offer opportunities for extra WWS points, with a maximum of +14 points (excluding sanitary facilities). Quality improvements such as thermostatic taps (+0.5 points), cupboard space (+0.75 points), and extra power outlets (+0.25 points) are cost-effective and efficient. We discuss this strategy in our Fontys lectures, where students learn how small adjustments can make a big difference.
Practical example: In our collaboration with Woonzorg in Utrecht, we added thermostatic taps and closet space to 100 social housing units, which yielded +1.25 points per unit and brought the rental value within the middle rental limit.
Tip: Add at least two quality improvements to bathrooms, such as faucets and electrical outlets, to maximize points without high costs.
The Affordable Rent Act (July 2024) requires accurate WWS point counts for new rental contracts and sets the median rent threshold (144-186 points, €900.07–€1,184.82 in 2025). Incorrect calculations can lead to rent reductions by the Rent Assessment Committee. In our Fontys guest lectures, we teach students how to make WWS-compliant plans, with accurate point counts and burden of proof.
Practical example: For Max Rentals in Rotterdam, we provided WWS reports that combined energy label improvements (E to A) and qualitative upgrades, enabling homes to achieve compliant mid-range rental status without legal risks.
Tip: Have an expert such as Renewable Partners draw up a WWS report, including supporting evidence (photos, invoices) for energy label registration, to ensure compliance.
Subsidies such as ISDE and SVOH make sustainability more affordable, which is crucial for housing associations with limited budgets. In our Fontys lectures, we teach students how to integrate subsidies into sustainability plans, using examples from our practice.
Practical example: In the MVGM project, we reduced the investment costs from €17,500 per home to €13,160 after subsidies, with an ROI of 18%. This made the transformation to private sector housing financially attractive.
Tip: Apply for ISDE (€1,500 for heat pumps) and SVOH (for insulation) through an advisor such as Renewable Partners to make investments profitable.
Increasing WWS points is a strategic step for housing associations to make their homes more sustainable, valuable, and compliant. With our expertise, shared in Fontys guest lectures and applied in projects in Rotterdam and Utrecht, Renewable Partners helps associations achieve these goals.
Practical experience – reliable energy expertise and results-oriented collaboration
I have experienced Renewable Partners as a reliable and professional party in the field of sustainable energy. They think along well, are transparent in their communication, and deliver customized solutions that really meet the need.
Professional and readily available for questions. I am very satisfied with the service and can recommend the company. Kind regards,
While my energy label doesn't matter at all, new residents are going to renovate the entire house, Nik has still made a thorough and clear report of my old farmhouse. TOP job. Thanks
The energy label inspector is a highly skilled professional who knows his trade. We were helped well and quickly with his advice. The reactions of this company are praising the price, the lowest, and the service, downright TOP!
The recording was done carefully. All documents and construction dimensions were checked/recorded by the advisor Ronan van der Loo. And good advice was given. He finished the recording within 2 hours.
