# NHG will let buyers borrow less for risky foundations

> Buyers of homes with a high foundation risk will be able to borrow less with a mortgage backed by the National Mortgage Guarantee (NHG) on offers made from 1 January 2027.

Housing · published 2026-10-27 08:08 · https://nlnow.nl/a/nhg-mortgage-guarantee-will-allow-less-borrowing-for-weak-foundations/

Buyers of homes with a poor foundation will be able to borrow less with a mortgage that carries the NHG guarantee. The organisation says the aim is to stop buyers facing high repair costs they cannot afford after the purchase.

**Why it matters**

- If the foundation risk is high, the lender must factor the expected repair costs into the mortgage amount.
- The rules apply to mortgages with a binding offer made from 1 January 2027.

Whether repair costs count depends on the valuation report. It gives a home a risk class from A (low risk) to E (high risk). For classes D and E, an exploratory foundation investigation is mandatory.

The new rules are in the NHG conditions, which will be published on 30 October.

> We want to prevent people buying a home that looks affordable on paper but leads to financial problems in practice.
> — Roald van der Linde, NHG director

"Anyone buying a home needs to know where they stand financially," Van der Linde said. NHG says weighing these costs in advance brings clarity and responsible financing.

NHG also says this measure alone is not enough. In its view, central government, municipalities and the financial sector must work together, with long-term direction from central government. Information on the foundation should also be available when a home is bought.

## Background

- **NHG (Nationale Hypotheek Garantie)**: The National Mortgage Guarantee is a Dutch guarantee scheme for home loans. If a borrower cannot repay the mortgage and the sale of the home does not cover the debt, the guarantee covers the remaining amount owed to the lender. To qualify, the purchase must meet the scheme's conditions, which include a maximum purchase price and a technical assessment of the home, so the condition of a property can affect how much a buyer may borrow with the guarantee.

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