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Glossary

Tenant Rights in the Dutch Housing Market

Tenants in the Netherlands are protected by strong rental laws, but understanding them is key. Learn about rent increase rules, repair obligations, notice periods, and anti-discrimination protections. This guide empowers you to know your rights and take action if your landlord steps out of line.

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Showing 1–24 of 56 rental terms

Move-in Inspection

The joint inspection of the property by the landlord and tenant at the start of the lease, where the initial condition is documented in a crucial legal report.

Tenant Rights

Tenant Privacy Protection

A tenant's fundamental right to be left in peace in their home, protected by law from unannounced visits and invasions of privacy by the landlord.

Tenant Rights

Landlord Inspection Rights

The landlord's right to periodically inspect the property, which is strictly limited by the tenant's fundamental right to privacy and quiet enjoyment.

Tenant Rights

Special Needs Accommodation

Adaptations made to a home to make it suitable for residents with physical disabilities or other special requirements, often coordinated via the municipality.

Tenant Rights

Disability Accommodation Request

A formal request made by a tenant for necessary adjustments to a property to make it accessible and livable for a person with a disability.

Tenant Rights

Tenants' Union

The Woonbond is the national Dutch tenants' union, a powerful advocacy group and a key source of legal advice and support for its members.

Tenant Rights

Rent Team

A non-profit or municipal organization that provides free legal advice and assistance to tenants, particularly in disputes over rent levels and service charges.

Tenant Rights

Relocation Cost Allowance

A legally mandated, fixed compensation that a landlord must pay to a tenant when terminating a lease for urgent renovation or demolition.

Tenant Rights

Tenant Insurance

An essential but often overlooked insurance policy that protects the tenant's personal belongings, as the landlord's insurance covers only the building itself.

Tenant Rights

Tenant Relocation Grant

A tenant relocation grant ('verhuiskostenvergoeding') is a mandatory, fixed-sum payment from a landlord to a tenant who is forced to move for a major renovation or demolition.

Tenant Rights

Lease Renewal Notice

'Lease renewal' is a misleading concept in Dutch law, as standard indefinite contracts continue automatically without any need for renewal.

Tenant Rights

Deposit Return Timeline

Recent Dutch law mandates a strict timeline for the return of the security deposit, requiring a refund within 14 days if there are no damages.

Tenant Rights

Security Deposit Return

The return of the security deposit ('borg') is a legally regulated process where landlords can only deduct for proven damages or rent arrears.

Tenant Rights

Move-out Inspection

The move-out inspection ('eindinspectie') is a formal review of the property's condition against the initial check-in report to fairly assess any damages.

Tenant Rights

Rent Reimbursement

A 'rent reimbursement' is not a subsidy but a refund a tenant may receive after a rent reduction ruling or an overpayment of service costs.

Tenant Rights

Maximum Rent

The 'maximum rent' ('maximale huurprijs') is the legal limit a landlord can charge for a regulated property, calculated via a detailed points system.

Tenant Rights

Rent Ceiling

The 'rent ceiling' is determined by the liberalization threshold at the start of a lease, which dictates whether a property has permanent rent control.

Tenant Rights

Rent Cap

A 'rent cap' in the Netherlands refers to the maximum legal rent for regulated properties, determined by a detailed points system, and the annual cap on rent increases for all properties.

Tenant Rights

Storm Damage Subsidy

There are no government subsidies for storm damage; costs are covered by the landlord's and tenant's insurance policies.

Tenant Rights

Tenant Association Grant

Tenant associations in the Netherlands can often receive small grants from housing corporations or municipalities to fund their activities.

Tenant Rights

Legal Fee Subsidy

While no general 'legal fee subsidy' exists, tenants with low incomes can access subsidized legal aid for disputes with their landlords.

Tenant Rights

Rent Receipt Issuance

A tenant has a legal right to a rent receipt upon payment, though in practice, a bank statement serves as the standard proof of payment.

Tenant Rights

Housing Adaptations

Housing adaptations are changes made to a rental property to make it suitable for a tenant with a physical disability or limitation.

Tenant Rights

Respect Tenant Privacy

Respect for tenant privacy is a fundamental legal obligation requiring landlords to not enter or interfere with the rental property without explicit permission.

Tenant Rights