I had already been living in my small studio in the center of Amsterdam for over two years when I decided to apply for a rent reduction through Huurfix. I knew I was paying way too much, but I needed to find a place and was willing to put up with anything. Then, at the start of this year, I realized that the new points system made it exactly the right time to take action.

I love my studio. It's cozy and conveniently located. But the rent was completely out of proportion to the square meters and the amenities included. Before the points system, I just had to accept that this was my rent, no matter how unfair it felt.

That all changed when I asked Huurfix take on the case. I knew I was entitled to a reduction, but getting that confirmation from an attorney who specializes in rent law was incredibly reassuring and made me feel validated. Jan was easy to work with and always kept me informed. He handled the entire process himself, which spared me all the exhausting back-and-forth, and he reached out to me whenever a decision needed to be made.

The entire process was well organized, transparent, and reassuring. My rent has now dropped by more than €849 a month—over half of what I was paying—and I have Jan to thank for it. That’s going to make a huge difference, and it’s money that can eventually go toward a down payment on a place of my own.