Your Home is Your Castle
Once a tenant signs a rental agreement and receives the keys, the property becomes their private domain. The right to privacy and to be left in peace is a fundamental tenant right in the Netherlands, encapsulated in the legal concept of woongenot (the quiet enjoyment of the home). This right strictly limits a landlord's ability to access the property and protects the tenant from unwarranted intrusion.
The Landlord's Limited Right of Entry
A landlord cannot enter the property without the tenant's explicit permission. Even if the landlord holds a spare key, it is illegal for them to use it to enter the home without the tenant's consent. The only exception to this rule is in cases of extreme emergency, such as a fire or a burst water pipe that is causing major damage. For any non-emergency visit—be it for an inspection, a repair, or a viewing—the landlord must provide advance notice and arrange a time that is mutually agreeable. A tenant is not required to grant access at a moment's notice.
Privacy During Viewings
When a tenant's lease is ending, they are obligated to cooperate with viewings for prospective new tenants. However, this obligation is not unlimited. The tenant's privacy must still be respected. The viewings must be scheduled at reasonable times, and the landlord must provide the tenant with notice of when they will occur. A tenant does not have to accommodate an endless stream of individual viewings; often, a few designated time slots are arranged. This ensures the landlord can find a new tenant while minimizing the disruption to the current occupant.
