Notification of availability and letting of vacant accommodation
Do you rent out a building or part of it? And is a tenant leaving, resulting in vacant accommodation? Then you may have to notify your municipality. Do you want to rent out vacant accommodation? You may need to apply for a permit.
Notify the municipal authorities
In the Netherlands, landlords may be required to notify the municipal authorities when a tenant moves out, leaving accommodation unoccupied. The municipal housing regulations specify to which accommodation this applies.
Temporary letting of vacant accommodation
You can rent out unoccupied accommodation temporarily under the Vacant Property Act (Leegstandwet, in Dutch). For example, because the accommodation is awaiting renovation or demolition, or because it is intended for sale. However, you will require a permit from the municipal authorities.
To apply for the permit you have to complete the Dutch-language permit application form and send it to the municipality. The validity of the permit depends on the type of accommodation.
You need to comply with almost all rules for house rentals. There are no rules on rental protection under the Vacant Property Act (in Dutch). The rental agreement must, however, be at least 6 months and the notice period must be at least 3 months.
Repurposing vacant buildings
If you own a vacant building in the Netherlands, such as an office or school, you can decide to let it temporarily. You are allowed to do so if the building can be made habitable relatively easy. Also, you need an environment and planning permit to repurpose the building. The maximum letting period is 10 years.
Ban on squatting
Squatting is illegal in the Netherlands and is punishable as an offence. This applies to any unlawful use of a property. It does not matter how long the premises has been vacant. If you are the owner of a property that has been taken over by squatters, you can report this to the police (in Dutch).
Long-term empty buildings
Municipalities have a number of instruments at their disposal to prevent office and shop buildings remaining vacant. The municipality can, for example, issue a vacant property order with a reporting obligation. In addition, the municipality can:
- search for a solution for the vacant property in consultation with you as the owner;
- suggest or appoint a lessee;
- impose an administrative fine.