Cottage Lease

A Lease for Recreation, Not Residency

A 'cottage' in the Dutch context typically refers to a vakantiehuisje or bungalow, a property located in a rural area or a dedicated holiday park (vakantiepark). A lease for such a property is, in the vast majority of cases, legally considered to be for 'short-term use' (gebruik van korte duur) with a recreational purpose. This is a critical legal distinction. Because the intent is not to provide a primary residence but a temporary holiday accommodation, these leases are explicitly exempt from the robust tenant protection laws (huurbescherming) that govern standard residential rentals. This means the rent is not controlled, and the landlord has the right to end the tenancy at the conclusion of the agreed period without needing a legal reason.

The Exception: Proving Primary Residence

There is a rare and legally complex exception. If a person rents a cottage for a long, continuous period, registers with the municipality (gemeente) at that address, and uses it as their sole and primary residence, a judge might rule that it is a standard residential lease and that tenant protection applies. However, this is a difficult legal battle for a tenant to win. A key obstacle is often the municipal zoning plan (bestemmingsplan), which may prohibit permanent residence in a property designated for recreation. A tenant should therefore always assume that a cottage lease does not provide housing security, unless explicitly proven otherwise in court.