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Find out everything you need to know about the Heating Supply Act and how to ensure a fair and sustainable distribution of heat costs in your buildings with block heating.
The Heating Supply Act came into force on 1 January 2014. The main purpose of this law was to protect consumers against excessive prices for the supply of heat and hot tap water. In addition, a maximum rate was set annually per gigajoule supplied and for fixed costs.
During the evaluation of the Heat Act in 2015, it turned out that the law contained a number of bottlenecks that made it difficult to implement in practice. This resulted in a bill for the revision of the law.
Information about the Heat Act can be found on the website of the NLVVE trade association.
In cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and ACM, the NLVVE has also contributed to the discussion on the enforceability of the law. On 1 July 2019, the amended Heat Act came into force.
The Heating Supply Act has been scrutinised in recent years, based on the bottlenecks that came to light during the implementation of the Act. This has led to a number of changes and additions. In July 2018, these amendments were adopted by the Senate and will take effect on 1 July 2019. The document 'Act to amend the Heating Supply Act', which can be seen as a surplus on top of the current Heating Supply Act, can be downloaded here. You can read about the main changes on the website of the NLVVE.
In addition, the following can be reported about the changes to the Heating Supply Act as of 1 July 2019.
The Heating Supply Act as it came into force on 1-1-2014 will not be repealed. Because the cost allocation method can also be applied again as of 1 July 2019, this means that both cost calculation models are permitted. As a landlord / manager, you can therefore (continue to) settle in accordance with the Heating Supply Act 2014 as well as via the traditional cost allocation as was customary before the Heating Supply Act came into force. Changes to a choice that has already been made must be made in consultation with and with the consent of at least 70% of your residents.
The Heating Supply Act is currently being amended and replaced by a new heating law, the Collective Heat Act (WCW). This new law was passed by the House of Representatives in July 2025 and is awaiting consideration in the Senate, with expected introduction in 2026.
The WCW entails important changes, such as a different way of setting tariffs, more protection for consumers and a strengthening of public control of heat networks. Adjustments have also already been made this year to the setting of maximum tariffs for heat to improve affordability.
For building managers and housing associations, the Collective Heat Act (Wcw) entails important consequences and opportunities in their role as property managers and service providers to residents. As soon as this law is in force, we will inform you about it via this section.
