Applying as a Single Household
A joint application (gezamenlijke aanvraag) is the standard procedure when two or more people who form a single household apply to rent a property together. This is the typical application type for married couples, registered partners, cohabiting partners (samenwonenden), and families. It differs from a 'group application' for unrelated house sharers (woningdelers), as the applicants are considered a single economic and social unit by the landlord. The application is assessed based on the collective strength of the household, but it also imposes collective legal responsibility on all parties.
How Joint Applications are Screened
When evaluating a joint application, landlords and agents typically look at the combined gross income of the applicants. The income requirement—for example, that the gross monthly income must be 3.5 times the rent—is usually applied to the total income of the household. This allows partners to pool their resources to qualify for a property that they might not be able to afford individually. Both applicants will be subject to the full screening process, which may include credit checks and requests for landlord references for each person.
The Critical Legal Consequence: 'Hoofdelijke Aansprakelijkheid'
It is essential for joint applicants to understand that if their application is successful, they will almost certainly both be named on the rental agreement and be considered jointly and severally liable (hoofdelijk aansprakelijk). This is a critical legal term. It means that each tenant is individually responsible for the full obligations of the lease, not just their 'half'. If one partner leaves the property or is unable to pay their share of the rent, the landlord has the legal right to demand the entire monthly rent from the remaining partner. This also applies to any damages to the property; the landlord can hold either tenant responsible for the full cost of repairs. This shared liability is a fundamental aspect of signing a lease as a couple or household.
