In the Netherlands, a large ongoing study seeks to provide insight into the process behind preferences and choices with regard to moving and housing. As part of the development of the survey instrument that was used in this study, we examined whether visual images (such as photographs) should be included, since they may clarify particular attributes (e.g., architectural style) and make the choice task more realistic for the respondents. However, images may disturb the results as respondents may evaluate accidental details on the photographs such as the color of the window frames. This paper presents the results of two subsequent pilot studies on the impact of including images in a web-based questionnaire. In the first study, eight dwelling profiles were presented in three different ways (''text only'', ''text and color photo'' and ''text and black-and-white impression'') to 28 respondents. In the second study two different instruments were used: one with written information and directly shown photo-collages; the other with written information and photo-collages on request only. Both studies showed that the inclusion of images led to a number of differences between the results obtained with the various presentation methods. These differences may be explained by accidental details on the images. Furthermore, dwelling characteristics appear to be more important to the respondents' overall evaluation of a dwelling when shown with photos than when presented in written format. However, since including images also has a substantial number of benefits, it may not be advisable to leave out images completely from the measurement task. Should images be included in a survey instrument, it is of utmost importance to make sure that all potentially disturbing details are cleared away. Furthermore, it may be better to show a collage of pictures than only one in order to decrease the specific impact of accidental details.

Housing became more expensive in the Netherlands between 2002 and 2006, a trend which has been demonstrated using various measures of affordability. The expenditure-to-income ratios calculated for households confirm that the average cost of housing rose for tenants and homeowners, as well as for most income groups generally. This contribution analyses the development of various components of household expenditure which contributed to these higher ratios. One of the most important considerations here is the fact that average household disposable incomes either fell (tenants) or remained stable (homeowners) during the four-year period under review. This leads to the question of whether these increasing income differences between renting and owning can be attributed to the business cycle alone, or whether they are part of a longer-term trend that will eventually result in a rental sector that provides housing for those on lower incomes. The findings suggest that a longer-term or structural widening of the income gap between renting and owning may indeed be taking place.

No abstract

No abstract

The demand for expensive owner-occupied dwellings in the Netherlands

No abstract

The extraction of natural gas in the north of the Netherlands has led to soil subsidence and the occurrence of earthquakes. Residents worry about the safety of their families and the saleability of their dwelling and might want to move. The goal is to examine whether the earthquakes are related to the intention to move. A survey among residents in the area was carried out in 2015. The results show that the intention to move is influenced by age, education, household size, length of residence and attachment to the region. In addition, there is an effect of experience of earthquakes, which is mediated by psychological distress (anxiety, insecurity and concern). We conclude that the way in which residents handle the earthquake experience determines their intention to move, not the experience in itself. This provides opportunities to prevent out-migration by supporting residents and by providing them psychological care and security regarding the value and saleability of their dwellings.

No abstract