VvE: the owners' association (2026)
A VvE (Vereniging van Eigenaren) is the owners' association every apartment owner in the Netherlands automatically belongs to. Your monthly contribution (bijdrage) funds shared costs — building insurance, maintenance of the roof, façade and stairwells, and a legally required reserve fund. A typical bijdrage runs €100–€250 a month; a healthy VvE with a well-funded reserve is a sign of a well-kept building.
What the contribution covers
The VvE bijdrage pays for everything shared: buildings insurance, cleaning and maintenance of common areas, and contributions to the reserve fund (reservefonds) for big future works like a new roof. Since 2018 a VvE must reserve either per a long-term maintenance plan (MJOP) or at least 0.5% of the building's rebuild value per year, so the money is there when the works come.
Why the VvE's health matters
Before buying, ask for the VvE's accounts, reserve balance and recent minutes. A large, active VvE with a solid reserve rarely surprises you; a small or dormant one can hit you with a sudden assessment for overdue works. The calculator counts the monthly bijdrage as a recurring owner cost — a high one narrows the gap with renting.