Rental contracts in the Netherlands are drawn up in Dutch. Most housing agencies also provide a translation of the lease but keep in mind that this service is not provided by all agencies. Nevertheless, the Dutch version is the legally binding version and the one that will need to be signed by the lessor and the lessee.
In addition to the tenancy agreement, you will often receive the general terms and conditions that accompany the tenancy agreement from the estate agent or property manager working on behalf of the landlord. In apartments, you may also get a further set of regulations from the tenant’’s association. You should make sure you fully understand the implications of all three, particularly with regards to pets, notice periods and any costs or fees.
The purpose of the rental agreement is to set out the terms and conditions agreed by the tenant and landlord. It states the amount of the monthly agreed-upon rent and the length of the agreed period of the rental agreement.
A tenancy agreement is either for a fixed or an indefinite period. A contract with a fixed period states the end date of the deal. The agreement cannot be cancelled before this date unless both parties agree. A fixed-period agreement does not end automatically on the final date stated. Both the tenant and the landlord must terminate the agreement using a written notice sent by registered mail. Otherwise, the contract continues automatically into an indefinite rental period. After the first fixed period, under Dutch rental law, the tenant has the right to terminate the lease providing one calendar month notice. In practice, it is difficult for a landlord to evict a tenant without a good reason and a court mandate, as Dutch rental law is very protective of the tenant’s rights. If your stay in the Netherlands is at risk of ending suddenly or unpredictable during the first fixed period you may wish to add a break clause. It is also called a diplomatic clause. EMG can assist you in ensuring that these kinds of clauses are included in the rental agreement by being involved during the negotiation process.
