Notice Period

How to Properly End a Lease

The notice period, or opzegtermijn, is the duration of advance warning that must be given to officially end a lease agreement. The rules for this are strictly defined by law and are different for tenants and landlords, reflecting the power imbalance in the relationship. Providing notice must always be done in writing (a registered letter is the most secure method) to avoid any disputes about when notice was given.

For the Tenant (Huurder)

The notice period for a tenant is straightforward and designed for flexibility. It is one full calendar month. This means that if you give notice on any day in March, your contract will end on April 30th. It doesn't matter if you give notice on March 1st or March 31st; your notice period corresponds to the full length of the next month. This applies to both temporary and indefinite contracts. A clause in your contract that requires a longer notice period from the tenant is legally void.

For the Landlord (Verhuurder)

The notice period for a landlord is much longer and more restrictive, reflecting the tenant's right to housing security. The landlord's notice period is a minimum of three months. This period increases by one month for every year the tenant has lived in the property, up to a maximum of six months.

More importantly, a landlord cannot simply give notice. To terminate an indefinite contract, they must have a valid legal reason (e.g., urgent personal use, major renovation) and, if the tenant does not agree to leave, the landlord must get permission from a judge. For a temporary contract, the landlord doesn't need a reason, but they must provide written notification that the contract is ending between one and three months before the end date. If they are too early or too late with this notice, the contract automatically becomes indefinite.