Approved

The Long-Awaited 'Yes'

'Approved' is the status a rental applicant dreams of. It is the notification from the landlord or their agent that you have been chosen from the pool of candidates for the property. This approval is typically communicated via an email or a phone call and is a moment of immense relief and excitement in a stressful housing search. It means that the landlord has reviewed your financial dossier, is satisfied with your profile, and has expressed their formal intention to rent the property to you. Following this approval, the next step is for the agent to draw up the formal rental agreement (huurovereenkomst) for you to review and sign.

A Strong Intention, Not a Final Contract

While receiving an approval is a cause for celebration, a cautious tenant must understand that it is not the same as having a signed lease. A verbal or email approval is a strong statement of intent, but it is not, in most cases, a legally unbreachable contract. Although it is unethical and unprofessional, it is not impossible for a landlord to change their mind and withdraw the approval before the contract is signed (for example, if another candidate subsequently makes a higher offer, which is an illegal but not unheard-of practice). More commonly, issues can arise during the contract phase. The draft lease might contain clauses you disagree with, or the landlord might make a last-minute demand. A tenant should never take irreversible actions based solely on an approval. Do not give formal notice on your current apartment, book movers, or make any significant financial commitments until you have a copy of the final rental agreement that has been signed by both you and the landlord. The deal is only truly done when the ink (or the e-signature) is dry.