Do you rent houses or apartments? As a landlord in the Netherlands you have to observe several rules and obligations, for instance:
- the tenancy agreement
- rental protection (in Dutch), a landlord cannot simply terminate the rent
- the rental price, based on the rent points system
- price ceiling for social housing
- rent review, increasing (in Dutch) or decreasing (in Dutch) the rent
- maintenance and charges for services
- landlords-tenants consultation
You may also consult the government website on rental regulations (in Dutch).
Temporary tenancy agreements
Landlords may offer temporary tenancy agreements (in Dutch) for 2 years (private sector independent properties) and for 5 years (non-independent properties). Independent means having a private entrance and kitchen and bathroom facilities. In some cases landlords may end a tenancy agreement if the accommodation needs to be vacated urgently, for example for personal use. Temporarily renting out a property that is for sale is possible.
Fixed energy performance compensation
Landlords who invest in energy efficiency (zero energy houses) may pass on the investment costs to their tenants. This fixed 'energy performance compensation' replaces the regular (and in most cases higher) energy bill their tenants have to pay.
Disputes
If you have a dispute with tenants or their representatives that cannot be solved amicably, you can take it to the Rent Tribunal (Huurcommissie, in Dutch).