In an extraordinary act of generosity, an elderly landlady in the Limburg town of Vaals has left her properties to her tenants in her will, providing them with a life-changing inheritance. The 87-year-old woman, who passed away in February, had no direct relatives and decided to bequeath several of her properties to the people living in them, according to local news outlet Telegraaf.
The news came as a shock to the tenants, who had租ed their homes from the landlady for years without any inkling of her plans. Among them is Bram Brekelmans, a 33-year-old teaching assistant and single father of two, who received the keys to his semi-detached home along with a life-changing surprise.
I met her once. So we didn’t really know each other at all. And then to be given a house as a gift… That there are such nice people in this day and age, when you have to be harsh to get ahead, is heartwarming, Brekelmans told the Telegraaf.
The semi-detached home, which Brekelmans now owns, has a market value of at least 255,000 euros. In the tight housing market, it could sell for up to 290,000 euros. However, Brekelmans is not planning to sell. Instead, he has converted the inheritance tax of 75,000 euros into a modest mortgage, ensuring that he and his children have a secure roof over their heads.
All I have to pay is 75,000 euros in inheritance tax. That means I actually received 200,000 euros. Isn’t that wonderful? he exclaimed. The certainty my landlady’s gift provided to my two kids, ages 5 and 7, is the best part.
This unique inheritance is a rare occurrence, according to Marije de Rooij-Stevenhaagen, an inheritance mediator at AllesoverErven.nl. She explained that while individuals have the freedom to decide where their inheritance goes, such acts of generosity are not common.
In general, it is the case that someone can decide for themselves where the inheritance goes, de Rooij-Stevenhaagen told the newspaper. Only children are entitled to at least half of the normal inheritance and can object if they inherit less than that. As far as is known, the Vaals woman did not have any children. If you do not have children, you can determine your entire inheritance yourself.
The story of the Limburg landlady echoes a similar case in Zeeland, where a woman left the land she leased to her tenants after her death. The woman had a stronger bond with her tenants than with her own family, highlighting the deep connections that can form between landowners and their tenants.
The news of the landlady’s bequest has sparked conversations about inheritance laws and the importance of personal choice in estate planning. While it is not uncommon for individuals to leave assets to family members, the decision to leave properties to tenants is a testament to the landlady’s values and her desire to make a lasting impact on the lives of those around her.
The act of leaving properties to tenants also reflects the current housing situation in the Netherlands, where the demand for affordable housing far exceeds supply. With the tight housing market, the bequest provides a rare opportunity for tenants to become homeowners, offering them stability and security in an otherwise challenging environment.
For Brekelmans and the other tenants, the unexpected gift has brought a sense of hope and community. In a world where tales of kindness often go untold, the story of the elderly landlady in Limburg serves as a reminder of the power of generosity and the profound impact one person can have on the lives of others.
It’s a beautiful story that warms the heart, said de Rooij-Stevenhaagen. It shows that there are still people who think about others and want to make a difference.
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