The Upper House on 14 November 2023, adopted the own-initiative Bill on Fixed Leases. The legislative amendment is likely to enter into force from 1 July 2024. That is the next fixed change moment for legislation. The new rules will apply to leases entered into from that time onwards.
We wrote earlier about this bill when it was accepted by the House of Representatives. It concerns the rental of residential accommodation. This is currently allowed temporarily, regardless of the target group to which the tenant belongs. The temporary tenant then enjoys no rent protection.
The name of the new law says it all: it puts an end to the possibility of renting out living space on a temporary basis. Of course, the new law has some exceptions. Temporary letting without rent protection will continue to be allowed if the tenant (these target groups have yet to be definitively designated in a ministerial decree):
- living temporarily in the Netherlands for study;
- due to urgent work or renovation to the current rental property, temporarily needs alternative accommodation;
- has an urgent housing need;
- enters into a last-chance rental agreement or a combined rental and support agreement;
- already had his/her main residence in the living accommodation before the death of the previously renting parent or guardian;
- wants to continue living near minor children after a relationship break-up;
- is a (former) addicted tenant in need of temporary counselling.