People looking for a home to rent outside the rent-controlled sector have to pay an average of over €1,000 a month, according to research by real estate agents association NVM.

It is the first time that the average rent for new contracts has topped €1,000 and highlights the major shortage of homes in the so-called ‘middle segment’, the NVM said.

The average rent charged in new contracts has risen 2.5% over the past year with the biggest rises booked in Almere, Eindhoven and Rotterdam.

Property costing less than €710 a month is rent-controlled and only people on low incomes can move in.

Amsterdam remains the most expensive place to rent a home, partly because of the shortage of non-rent controlled homes.

Newcomers can expect to pay upwards of €1,500 for one-room apartment of 50 square metres – if they can find one. Average new rental contracts in the city are now over €2,200, according to research by housing platform Pararius.